HISTORY OF LA LUZ PORT
Las Palmas (Gran Canaria)
1883-2024
Our endearing port is the most notable engineering work carried out in our region, a fundamental axis of Gran Canaria’s development and, consequently, of the spectacular economic and demographic growth that has taken place on our island since then – Víctor M. Macías Alemán
LA LUZ PORT
History of the Port
La Luz Port (also called Las Palmas Port) is a sheltered harbour strategically located halfway between Europe and the other two continents (Africa and America) within the island of Gran Canaria, which is an integral part of the Canary Archipelago pertaining to Spain since 1478.
This harbour is officially considered the third in importance of Spanish ports, naturally protected by the promontory of La Isleta (Las Palmas), which is connected with the rest of the island by the long narrow isthmus of Guanarteme, it can accommodate the largest ships, and provides secure anchorage in all weathers.
Its geographical location at the crossroads of major sea trading routes such as the North Atlantic, linking the US and Canada to Europe and Africa, has enabled La Luz to become one of the world’s
busiest sea ports in terms of international trade, ship supply and maritime traffic. If we take into account steam
ships’ limited sailing capacity back in the 19th and early 20th century, easy to reach coal-supply
stations conveniently located in the middle of the main trading routes were of the utmost importance.
These fueling stations were built for the purpose of replenishing coal supplies for ships thus allowing
them to use their holds for the transport of goods and other merchandise instead of filling them up
with large amounts of coal. Shipowners gradually came to realize that they could substantially reduce
their shipping costs by loading their holds with local good-quality agricultural products such as
bananas, potatoes and tomatoes on their ships’ return trip to Europe.
Prior to its construction, back in 1850 all commercial activity was concentrated around San Telmo’s old
dock, a rather small stone jetty, which then still was unfinished. The old dock had been built along a
rough stretch of coast with prevailing strong winds and heavy sea with high waves, therefore, its
location was not the most appropriate for the safe undertaking of loading and unloading activities and
compliance with the minimum safety standards. It was only under calm weather conditions and once
the rough sea had passed that the ships could manage to drop off anchor without fear of running
aground. Unfortunately, more often than not, the”black flag” had to be hoisted to warn ships of the
dangers entailed in port approaching maneuvers. Unlike San Telmo, the big bay situated north of Las
Palmas met all the requirements to become an excellent port of call. Naturally protected and sheltered
from all winds by the mountains of La Isleta, this bay also had a sandy seabed sloping gently towards
the sea which made it ideal for ship anchorage and approaching maneuvers. As a matter of fact, La
Luz inlet had always been used by conquerors, local fishermen and navigators as a natural sheltered
harbour.
OPCSA Container Terminal
Bananas Collectors
(Gran Canaria)
WHY IS IT CALLED "PUERTO DE LA LUZ"?
Mr. Domingo J. Navarro, author
of "Memories of a Nonagenarian"
CONSTRUCTION OF LA LUZ PORT (1883-1903)
The British firm “Swanston and Company” was awarded a contract for the construction of La Luz Port (1883-1903) and Juan de León y Castillo was the one responsible for planning, supervising and implementing the project. The figure of Juan de León y Castillo was crucial in the construction of La Luz Port. Born in Telde (1834-1912), Gran Canary, was one of the most prominent and illustrious personalities of the island between the second half of the 19th century and early 20th century. In 1850 he moved to Madrid to study at the school of engineering and in 1858 he returned to the archipelago to work under the command of the renowned Chief Engineer Clavijo y Pou. He kept a close connection to “Swanston and Company” although he showed his differences of opinion over the way some financial and accounting matters were being handled by this prestigious firm during the construction process.
Juan de León y Castillo’s brother, Fernando de León y Castillo (1842-1918), was also instrumental in the construction of La Luz. He was one of the most distinguished Spanish politicians and diplomats of the time. His influential position as Overseas Minister in Madrid and later as Spanish Ambassador to
France combined to make him the driving force behind the construction of Puerto de la Luz. Apart from holding his diplomatic post at Paris, in 1900 his high value as a negotiator was recognized by the Queen Regent Maria Cristina, who on behalf of his son King Alfonso XIII granted him the noble title of Marquis del Muni I (Río Muni o Río de Oro in Guinea). He was also appointed by King Alfonso XIII Knight of the Order of the Spanish Golden Fleece (Toisón de Oro).
Needless to say, British coal-supply companies had a preponderant role on the development and growth of coaling business in La Luz Port not only as a result of their business-oriented mind, but also because most of the coal supplied at the Atlantic ports came chiefly from United Kingdom (Wales and Durham). Coal obtained from these mines was reasonably cheap and of a very good quality, therefore competitiveness was nearly non-existent. The British Consul stationed in the Canary Islands emphasized this trade domination on one of his reports back in the early nineties by stating the following:
The Titan Crane was used for
Las Palmas Port construction
Fernando de León y Castillo
Works for the construction of La Luz Port were inaugurated in February 1883 (God Bless Our work)
Two major coaling companies operating in La Luz Port in the XIX century
Sealine with stopover in La Luz Port back in 1929
Thomas Miller Swanston (1805-1885) Founder of Miller & Co.
Basil Miller (1920-2003) wartime naval intelligence officer and later director of Lambert Brothers (shipping) Ltd, the parent company of Miller & Co before the sale to Boluda.
Women collecting the cochineal in Gran Canaria
Sir Alfred Jones
Loading bananas
La Luz Port Old Chart
La Luz Port Workers
Christopher Columbus
“Five major companies are currently operating. The entire coal handling business in the Port remains in the hands of British companies”
Some prominent Coaling Companies based in La Luz Port are listed below:
- Blandy Bros & Co. (G.C.) Coaling & Shipping, S.A. (Anglo-Spanish)
- Compañía General Canaria de Combustibles, S.A. (Anglo-Spanish)
- Compañía Carbonera de Las Palmas (Anglo-Spanish)
- Compañía de Combustibles “Oceánica”, Ltda. (Anglo-Spanish)
- Compañía Nacional de Carbones Minerales (Anglo-Spanish)
- Cory Brothers (Anglo-Spanish)
- Deutsche Kohlen Depot Geselschaft (German)
- Elder Dempster (British)
- Guirlanda Hnos. (Spanish)
- Grand Canary Coaling Co., S.A. (Anglo-Spanish)
- Compañía Hespérides (Anglo-Spanish)
- Hamilton & Co., Ltd. (Anglo-Spanish)
- Miller y Cía, S.A. (Anglo-Spanish)
- Tenerife Coaling Co., Ltd. (Anglo-Spanish)
- Wilson and Sons (Anglo-Spanish)
- Woermann-Linie Ltd. (German)
The oldest of the coaling companies established in Gran Canaria was Miller & Co. In 1824 Thomas Miller left Fife, Scotland, to join his cousin, James Swanston, in the Canary Islands. They went into business, and first traded in cochineal and orchilla, used in dye making, and barrilla, a raw material used in the manufacture of soap. Expansion followed into general merchandise and farming goods, then cloth, and schooner ships were acquired to develop export links with Britain and China. But the commodity which brought overwhelming success to the firm of Thomas Miller & Co was coal. The founder recognised that steam power would soon replace sail, and by establishing coal bunkers at Las Palmas, he transformed it into one of the busiest shipping ports in the world, as ocean-going steamers halted to refuel and restock in coal, before continuing their journeys to all corners of the world. It is a fascinating history, and yet another proof of the initiative and success of the British entrepreneurs abroad. As stated above, diversification of business activities was common among coaling companies and although this company started exporting orchilla and then cochineal, it later expanded its business into a number of other services such as ship agency, insurance brokerage, shipchandlery, water supply, loading and unloading and repair work among others. These companies also used to reach agreements in order to fix a price for the coal supplied in the ports of the Atlantic Islands thus avoiding unfair competition . An example of this type of agreement was the “Atlantic Islands Depot Arrangement (AIDA)”.
- The first member of the family to arrive in the Canary Islands (in 1812) was James Swanston Miller (1798-1855). He founded Swanston & Co. in 1820 which became Thomas MiIler & Co in 1854.
- Thomas Miller Swanston (1805-1885), cousin of James Swanston Miller, founded the first company with the Miller name in 1854.Thomas Miller traded from the Muelle de San Telmo.
- The senior partner in Miller & Co. by the Santa Catalina mole was James Miller Vasconcellos (1839-1915).
- The partners in Swanston & Co who built the 19th century Port (Puerto de La Luz) were Juan Swanston (1843-1918) and Joseph Miller Vasconcellos (1840-1920).
- The third son of Thomas Miller Swanston (1805-1885) was Thomas Miller Wilson (1857-1930) who was a farmer, merchant, banker and agent for Renault cars. He was also a non-executive director and shareholder of Miller & Co by the Santa Catalina mole.
- The 4th son of Thomas Miller Swanston was Dr William Henry Miller (1859-1936) who was a doctor in Edinburgh and a shareholder in Miller & Co.
- After James Miller Vasconcellos, the partners in Miller & Co by the Santa Catalina mole were Thomas Hamilton-Miller Parry (1872-1952), Harry Miller Parry (1879-1959) and Gerald Miller Parry (1889-1982), Managing Director of Miller & Co (1919-1939), wartime diplomat & head of intelligence and British Consul from 1945-1964.
- Basil Miller (1900-2003) wartime naval intelligence officer and later director of Lambert Brothers (shipping) Ltd, the parent company of Miller & Co before the sale to Boluda.
La Luz Port, as was known worldwide, became a restricted domain for foreign capital, especially British. Actually a banner placed high on the top of La Isleta’s mountains read: “Welcome to Canary Islands”. There were so many British flags flying over the bay that the public display of this flag was banned (unless both flags were flown together) after an illustrious Spanish personality visited the island.
Another figure worthy of mention is Sir Alfred Jones who soon saw the possibilities of the development of Las Palmas as a coaling station, as well as a valuable depot for collecting bananas from the various islands, and filling up his vessels with the fruit which had become so popular in England. As a coaling station Las Palmas was an unqualified success financially and in every other way, and so great was the demand for bananas in England, that the Canaries couldn’t produce nearly enough to meet the English market needs. The development of the banana trade since the line was established has been prodigious, and the fact that he is chiefly responsible for the initiation and the present position of this traffic, which has made the banana the food and fruit of the pauper, is one of the achievements on which Sir Alfred may be most sincerely congratulated. The Miller and Swanston trading families were already well established by the time Sir Alfred Lewis Jones set up the Grand Canary Coaling Company in Las Palmas.
In 1895, Sir Alfred L Jones of the Elder Dempster Line, managed to reduce the price of a return ticket from Liverpool to Las Palmas from between £15-25 in an attempt to secure a greater number of visitors to Gran Canaria.
The increasing demands of tourists brought about the opening of numerous establishments in all sectors: clothing stores, hat shops, bars, restaurants, photo studios, shops with English goods, and even established banks which, until 1885, were unknown in the islands.
He was Chairman of the Elder Dempster Shipping Co., Ltd., the British & African Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., the Imperial Direct West India Mail Service Co., Ltd., the Bank of British West Africa, and of Elders & Fyffes, Ltd.
The supply of coal in the Canary Islands ports increased ceaselessly until the time preceding the First World War. Actually, this flourishing period was considered the most prosperous for the coal-supply companies established at La Luz Port . Unfortunately, the war brought about disastrous consequences to the Island due to Atlantic sea trade being severely reduced.
Shortly after the war had ended, coal-supply activities were resumed in the hope of recovering the previous coal demand flow, however, not only the economic recession of the thirties but also the advent of liquid fuel led to a downfall on the steam navigation system to such an extent that in the late nineties it had virtually dropped out of sight.
From the second half of the 19th century, Gran Canaria started gaining popularity in European circles as an attractive base for recreational holidays; a place for people in need of a rest. Shipping companies soon took advantage of this development and equipped their vessels with cabins for the transport of passengers. These companies would go on to build the first hotels on the island, one of which was the Hotel Santa Catalina (1890) in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This is the only hotel dating from the early beginnings of tourism that still remains open.
La Luz Port is also well-known as an ideal refreshment station for ships using this route, as a matter of fact, back in August 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed to the Canary Islands, where he dropped anchor. After restocking provisions through Las Palmas ship suppliers and making some repairs, the three vessels weighed anchor on September 6th and finally departed for what turned out to be a five-week voyage across the ocean resulting in the discovery of America. At present, you can visit in Las Palmas a museum called “La Casa Colon” which pays tribute to the famous former resident of the island, Christopher Columbus. Here you can find many interesting facts and memorabilia pertaining to him.
FOR WHAT OTHER REASONS DID SHIPOWNERS CHOOSE "LA LUZ" AS THEIR MAIN PORT OF CALL?
Some of the sealines with stopover in La Luz Port (1929)
San Telmo's old dock
- Cía Transatlántica (Spanish)
- Cía Transmediterránea (Spanish)
- Miguel M. de Pinillos (Spanish)
- Ybarrra y Cía (Spanish)
- Cía Correos Interinsulares Canarios (Spanish)
- Yeoward Bros (British)
- Royal Mail Steam Packet Com. (British)
- Elder Dempster y Cº Ltd. (British)
- Union Castle Mail S.S. Cº, Ltd. (Bristish)
- Lamport y Holt Ltd. (Bristish)
- Peninsular Y Oriental Steam Nav. Cº (Bristish)
- Fred Olsen Linie (Norwegian)
- Dep. Bergenske D/S (Norwegian)
- Woermann Linie Act. Ges. (German)
- Deutsche Ost Africa Linie (German)
- Norddeutscher Lloyd (German)
- Lloyd Royal Belga, S.A. (Belgium)
- Cía de Navegation Paquet (French)
- Cía Générale Trasatlantique (French)
- Andrew Weir y Cía (French)
- Hollansche Stoomboot Maats (Dutch)
- Koninklijke Hollandsche Lloyd (Dutch)
- Sociedad Libera Triestina di Navigazione (Italian)
GREAT BRITAIN IN LAS PALMAS
BRITISH INFLUENCE ON THE CANARY ISLANDS
Since the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries the appearance of British people in The Canary Islands has been a familiar trend, however the British were not welcomed immediately and by everyone. The reason for the British communities coming to The Canary Islands was primarily economic and the people coming here were mainly formed by businessmen and merchants who imported goods from their country. By 17th century British immigration had grown considerably more as people attempted to utilize the advantageous elements of The Canary Islands for manufacturing, such as its warm climate, which was an aid in wine production. Due to the establishment of puertos francos (free ports) in 1852, shipping companies were created and this meant that imports and exports increased dramatically. Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the reasons for coming to The Canary Islands increased. People started to come here not just for work reasons but also for the purpose of leisure, and this announced the time when the British would begin to take root in the Islands. Some people had gained riches through economic ventures with The Canary Islands and so had decided to come here to enjoy the sources and the rewards of their monetary gains. Others had gained stronger connections with The Canary Islands through marriages with the aristocracy and with the local bourgeoisie in The Canary Islands. For these reasons, the British have had a strong influence on the society and culture of the Islands.
Furthermore British roots were established in the nineteenth century through media and literary elements such as Tenerife and its Seven Satellites by the English writer Olivia Stone or The Tenerife News first published on 3rd January 1891. This newspaper was created so that the considerable amount of British people who were coming to the Islands and who could not read Spanish newspaper’s, would then be able to read about local and national news from the area. This newspaper eventually disappeared, but a new article reporting information to the British members of The Canary Islands came in the form of an extra part of the newspaper El Iriarte, which was called El Iriarte English Supplement. It was only two pages long but represented a written influence of English being pressed upon the Islands as did The Canary Islands Review created in 1903 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Elder Demspter Headquarters at Las Palmas
Launch boat
Olivia Stone, author of Tenerife and its Seven Satellites
BRITISH CEMETERY AT LAS PALMAS
British Cemetery Headstones
British Cemetery at Las Palmas
The creation of the British Cemetery goes back to 1835 and followed the death of Sarah Walter, a non-Catholic who died in 1829 and was buried ‘outside the city walls’
In 1834 the land was given by the Corporation of the City of Las Palmas and was followed by other subscriptions. The first burial took place on the 4th December, 1835.
In 1875 there was a dispute as to whether an American lady could be buried in the British Cemetery.
As the space was limited it was felt that burial was restricted to British citizens only, however, The British Foreign Secretary intervened and the lady was duly buried. The British Consul, Mr. Robert Hughton who rejected the application in the first place had no choice but to present his resignation letter to Lord Granville (British Foreign Secretary) as a result of this unpleasant incident, leaving his position the same year. In the last hundred years it has been the final resting place for many people from different nationalities and faiths.
If you visit the cemetery headstones of men and women of all ages are to be found, people connected with the port, sailors, clergy, missionaries and doctors. It provides further evidence of how important La Luz Port was , for it became a place where those going to Africa, and more importantly, those coming out, could find a possibility of recovery before proceeding with their journey. Sadly for some it was their journeys end and their mortal remains, rest not outside the city, but in a busy residential quarter of the beautiful city of Las Palmas. The British cemetery is little used for burials today. Like the church, however, it is increasingly visited by local people, both schoolchildren and adult groups, anxious to learn something more of the history of the island and its connections with the British culture.
We can conclude then that the oldest institution of the British Colony in Las Palmas is undoubtedly its graveyard, which was built as a consequence of differences in opinion about religion which led to the enforcement of a law which obliged protestant believers to be buried “outside the city walls”.
BRITISH CHURCH IN LAS PALMAS
British Church in Las Palmas
THE SEAMEN'S INSTITUTE
The Seamen’s Institute was founded in 1890, slightly earlier than the Queen Victoria Hospital (known as the English Hospital). Located at Puerto de La Luz, it was run by British protestant missionaries, It attended sailors arriving at Las Palmas through education and pastoral care. The building overlooked Las Canteras Beach and its facade ran the full length of La Palma Street. Its facilities were well-equipped consisting of a large dining-room, billiard hall and lounge. It was co-organized and financially supported by the British and Foreign Sailor’s Society and the British Bible Society respectively.
Nevertheless, the British colony in Gran Canaria also used to gather money as a contribution to this foundation through fund-raising parties, gatherings, concerts and social events. Strict rules were set up for all users and alcohol consumption was forbidden. In 1952 the building was closed for good.
Seamen's Institute Logo
THE QUEEN VICTORIA HOSPITAL
British Nurses
The Queen Victoria Hospital, also known as El Hospital Inglés, was founded in 1891. The British shipping agencies stationed at La Luz Port formulated the idea of building this hospital after observing how a British nurse, Miss Hudson, living in Las Palmas was caring for some ailing sailors of her own nationality who returned from sea and had been forced to disembark at this port. She provided volunteer service and worked altruistically for the British community in Las Palmas for a long time nursing injured mariners and caring for sailors in poor health. The hospital was run by British doctors from the beginning . Located at Sagasta Street nº 52, close to La Luz Port, it had an English-speaking staff. Usage of water and electricity was free thanks to the donations of “La City” (Water Supply Company) and “Unelco” (Electricity Company) respectively. Some of the doctors who attended this hospital are still remembered with praise and affection in Gran Canaria, worthy of mention are Dr. Taylor, Dr. Parson, Dr. Baxter and Dr. Harrison to name but a few. The building overlooked Las Canteras Beach and stopped being of service in 1966.
THE GOLF CLUB
Back on December 17th 1891, a group of British citizens living in Las Palmas held a meeting in a place known as “Lomo del Polvo” laying the foundations for what turned out to be the oldest Golf Club in Spain, the Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas (Las Palmas Royal Golf Club). Actually, the island is a pioneer in Spain in this sport as a result of this meeting. Among many other trophies it holds the Palmer Cup, which is the oldest sporting trophy in all of Spain.
The first golf course in the country was inaugurated in Gran Canaria in 1891 thanks to the joint efforts of Mr.Kitto and some members of the British Colony such as Mr. Richard Blandy, E.C. Barker, A. Fergurson, Charles Wigg, Briand Melland and John Forman among others. This course, used initially by British tourists and residents, was in the middle of the capital city, in the area which is presently the central zone of Escaleritas.
The Gran Canarian, Juan Dominguez Guedes, who was one of the best golf players not only in the island but also in Spain and the reputed British golf course designer Mackenzie Ross, built up a strong friendship during the many visits of Mr. Juan Dominguez to England. Their love for golf caused them to set their minds to the development of a project that would result, in 1957, in the construction of Bandama’s Golf Course, however, today it still bears the name of “Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas”. The course has wonderful views and allows players to enjoy this sporting activity throughout the year thanks to the island’s favourable weather conditions.
Cricket Players
LAS PALMAS CRICKET CLUB
Cricket Players
This sporting club was founded on the 29th March 1890 and was situated on a spacious level ground between Santa Catalina Clinic and La Casa del Caminero.
Matches were played between every combination of teams, including Married versus Single, Male v Female, Metropole guests v Santa Catalina guests, and even residents against the crews of visiting
British warships such as the Gunboat Widgeon.
On one occasion, back in 1903, Mr. Seddon stated that the capital of Gran Canaria could be proud of
itself as it’s “the only port where you could find golf clubs, cricket, lawn
tennis and football, not to mention croquet and poker”.
Las Palmas Lawn Tennis Club
The Tennis Club was founded between 1895-96 following the strong desire of a group of British enthusiasts, living in the island of Gran Canaria, to build a tennis court for entertainment purposes. The game had become very popular worldwide, predominantly in high society spheres. A couple of decades earlier, in 1874, Major Walter Wingfield had acquired the patent rights for the equipments and rules for the game which bore close resemblance to the modern tennis.
Shortly after its foundation, the tennis courts located in the gardens of the Metropole Hotel turned into the meeting point for a group of vigorous and athletic players belonging to the British Colony in Las Palmas. Also, the rising local middle-classes gradually started to come on the scene and take part in these sporting activities. The game was also played at most of the hotels. Championship Cups were open to all comers (both sexes). Temporary members were admitted to the Golf, Cricket and Lawn Tennis Clubs.
It held numerous tournaments, all of which enjoyed great popularity among the islanders.
The club burst onto the national scene thanks to Mr. Sydney Montague Head’s outstanding performance, who won the All-Spain Championship in 1907 and received the Silver Cup donated by
His Majesty Alfonso XIII.
Las Palmas Lawn Tennis Club was affiliated with the “All England Lawn Tennis Association”. Some of the tournaments that were held in this club are The Gragg Challenge Cup, The Jones Challenge Cup and The Marjorie Vase.
Tennis Courts in the gardens of Metropole Hotel
A group of tennis players after a tournament at Metropole Hotel
Las Palmas Football Club
José Padrón Martín known as "El Sueco" was born in 1907 in La Isleta. He began his career playing in local teams such as Santa Catalina Football Club and Real Club Victoria. Later on he was recruited to play in prominent clubs such as Español F.C., Sevilla F.C. and Barcelona.
Unión Marina F.C.
Marino F.C. founded in 1905
Santa Catalina F.C Founded in 1911
Real Club Victoria founded in 1910
british hotels in las palmas
Las Palmas still shows traces of its elegant past, notably in the tropical gardens of the Santa Catalina hotel and at the British Club.
Hotel Santa Catalina, built by an English company, is located on the road between the Port and the City. It stood in its own grounds with a fine sea view and accommodated 150 people.
The Metropole, was well situated on the sea shore, with gardens and a spacious patio.
Both these hotels offered visitors every modern luxury and convenience.
In Las Palmas, the favorite stopping place was Quiney’s Hotel, old established, with good garden, and facing an open square. Visitors were able to choose between two very comfortable hotels about one mile distant from one another – Quiney’s Bella Vista and the Santa Brigida. Both kept growing in popularity every season.
Monte was not only the chief summer resort of the residents in Gran Canaria, but was regarded by competent authorities as a very favorable position for those suffering from pulmonary and other complaints. The bracing air and pure atmosphere of this semi-mountainous resort was of great advantage to invalids.
Metropole Hotel in Las Palmas
Santa Catalina Hotel
Winston Churchill visit to Gran Canaria
Winston Churchill visit to Gran Canaria in 1959
Winston Churchill engaged in conversation with Aristotle Onassis
A plaque was recently unveiled at La Luz Port in honour of Winston Churchill, one of Great Britain’s most internationally influential figures of all time, to commemorate his visit fifty years ago. As a guest on the boat of Aristotle Onassis he came to the island for a holiday, as a tourist, and chose to visit Caldera de Bandama and Montaña de Arucas. It has been written that General Franco’s reluctance to risk losing the Canary Islands was the reason that Spain never officially entered into the war, as Churchill advised that an invasion was logistically a possibility.
Winston Churchill was an incredible and unique character and it was a good thing that a man of Churchill’s stature chose to spend his holidays on Gran Canaria thus increasing the interest of the British to learn more about the history of the island.
Churchill went ashore onboard a barge/launch boat at about 15.30 in the afternoon of the same day. That day, Churchill enjoyed a sunny day and passed by the New Hotel Santa Catalina on his way to la Caldera de Bandama. Once in Bandama, Churchill got out of the car for a moment so as to behold the crater. Later he went on up to the peak of the mountain.
After Mr. Kenneth Staib had explained Mr. Churchill about the wonderful views from the top of the mountain, the latter showed is desire to satisfy his thirst for water, however, given the fact that there was no water available around, Churchill told his guide not to worry since he had some “whisky” inside the trunk of the car….
From Bandama, Sir Wiston returned to Puerto de La luz through the Atalaya road towards Telde and the to Las Palmas.
According to a newspaper article written by Mr. Pedro Glez. Sosa on the 22nd of February:
“Upon Churchill return from Bandama, a crowd of people gathered around the place. The British colony stood out by applauding spontaneously. Churchill replied by taking his hat off and saluting the by-standers. He was rather tired, however, he smiled and gave them the V-sign.”
Among other presents, two beautiful bunches of flowers had been sent to the yacht for the respective wives of Sir Winston and Mr. Onassis (courtesy of Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria), the president of which, Mr. José Luis Benjumea Medina accompanied by one of the manager directors (Mr. Manuel Gonzalvez Ferreira) and other guests attended the cocktail organized onboard M/Y Christina that night….
Winston Churchill waving during his visit to Gran Canaria
Winston Churchill at the Christina Y.C.M.