Built on the Cayman Islands by and for Capt. Rayal Brazley Bodden which was living on the same islands.
Powered by a second-hand four cylinder Swedish engine.
May 1927 launched under the name CIMBOCO.
Tonnage 178 tons.
She was the first locally built motorized sailing vessel in the Cayman’s. For 20 years she was the Cayman connection to the world, introducing regular travel, shipping and parcel post and providing the first reliable supply of staple and exotic foods, such as flour, sugar, fruit and even ice.
She became know as the lifeline of the island, sailing between Cayman, Jamaica and Florida, carrying freight passengers and mail. The records show that CIMBOCO never missed a sailing, even during the war years when it was well known that German submarines frequented the waters of the Caribbean Sea.
One voyage of special significance was made in May 1941, to take 200 Cayman volunteers to Jamaica to serve in the Trinidad Royal Naval Volunteers reserve.
During the Second World War, both the British and American navies recognized Captain Rayal’s shipbuilding skills. He built two minesweepers for the Royal Navy in 1945, although they were completed too late for use in the war, the experience gained led him to being hired as a consultant to the American Navy to build wooden ships for cargo service in the Caribbean. Captain Rayal also built the LADY SLATER, the largest motor vessel ever built in the Cayman. Regrettably, she caught fire and was destroyed in Kingston Harbour. In 1968 at the age of 82, he completed his last vessel a 15-foot sailing boat named SPIC AND SPAN, this was built special for his grandchildren who lived in Miami.
Cayman Islands 2001 90c sg?, scott835.
Source. Copied from Watercraft Philately Vol. 48 page 83.
In 2015 the Cayman Islands issued a set of stamps for the "pioneers" on the island one of this stamps showed also the CIMBOCO, the Cayman Postoffice gives the following by the stamp:
50¢ Miss Annie Huldah Bodden OBE, was known for being the first female law agent and also the first female auditor of the Cayman Islands. She was recognised for her passion for protecting Caymanian Heritage. Miss Annie was the first Caymanian woman to be awarded the OBE.
The ship depict is the CIMBOCO and shows her at launching day in May 1927. The ship was built by her family.
I have not found the fate of the CIMBOCO but on the net there was a ticket for sale for the ship dated 31 March 1948.
Cayman Islands 2015 50c sg?, scott?