ss JAMAICA PROGRESS&lt;br /&gt;
Yard No 855&lt;br /&gt;
Quadruple expansion steam engines by David Rowan &amp; Co Ltd, Glasgow&lt;br /&gt;
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Between 1931 and 1935 Lithgows built four handsome refrigerated fruit carriers for the Jamaica Banana Producers SS Co. (Kaye, Son &amp; Co.) of London, a company formed in 1929 to carry passengers and general cargo to Jamaica and bananas to Europe. In 1962 with the independence of Jamaica, the fleet transferred to the Jamaican flag and the line was taken over by the Jamaican Government in 1977, the company continued to operate until 1980 when they disappeared as an independent shi-powning concern. The ships were registered at Kingston as built.&lt;br /&gt;
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The first vessel, Jamaica Pioneer, appeared in 1931 and she was followed in the next year by Jamaica Progress which can be seen above, about to enter the Clyde during her launch. After her came Jamaica Producer and Jamaica Planter in 1934 and 1936 respectively. Sadly, only one of these fine vessels, Jamaica Producer was to enjoy a normal length of service life. The other three were lost during WW2, Jamaica Pioneer and Jamaica Progress within 4 weeks of each other in 1940 due to enemy action. Subsequently, Jamaica Planter was sunk in a collision in Barry Roads in 1944. &lt;br /&gt;
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This view shows Jamaica Progress being launched into the Clyde in 1932.&lt;br /&gt;
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Career:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=18180&quot;&gt;http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=18180&lt;/a&gt;