Posted: 12/06/2025 10:59:24
A few weeks ago, we had the profound honour and joy of welcoming Enrique Gómez Lopez and his two sons, Paco and David, aboard Glenlee. This was no ordinary visit—Enrique, now 87 years old, had served onboard the ship during the Galatea days from 1955 to 1957. For him and his family, it was a deeply emotional return to a ship filled with vivid memories.
In conversation with our Vice-Chair Elizabeth Allen, Enrique generously shared many stories from his time on the ship, painting a rich picture of life aboard Galatea. As a Specialist Corporal Cab, he was based primarily on the port side of the vessel. He recounted climbing the rigging many times, often barefoot, enduring the tough conditions sailors faced. He spoke of the ship’s unique sleeping arrangements: nearly 230 crew members sharing cramped quarters, with sailors sleeping on the floor and officers resting in hammocks hung from hooks.
He told us about the ship’s role as a rigorous training ground—how the officers, never the sailors, steered the helm, and how the ship would sometimes sail directly into storms to prepare the crew for dangerous sea conditions. Enrique’s journeys took him to diverse ports including Funchal (Madeira), Puerto Rico, Spanish Guinea, Cape Verde, the Dominican Republic, New York, Germany, and many others.
The visit was not only a trip down memory lane for Enrique but a profound gift for his family and for all of us fortunate enough to hear his stories. It was a vivid reminder of the ship’s remarkable history and the many lives it has touched. We are incredibly grateful to Enrique and his family for sharing these precious memories, and we remain committed to preserving all chapters of Glenlee’s history with the pride it so richly deserves.