Let a lemon put a smile on a sailor’s face

Want to know what to use to support a seafarer on Mandela Day?

It’s a lemon tree, dear Watson!

Mission to Seafarers (MtS) Chaplain Mark Classen has recently been inundated with offers for free lemons from friends whose garden trees are overflowing with the sour citrus fruit.

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“In addition, as I drive around town, especially in Arboretum, I have been watching how the lemons literally fall from the trees because there are simply too many for that household to consume,” he said.

With this in mind, Mark came up with an idea for Madiba Day.

“We often take fresh fruit and vegetables onto vessels in port, and the crews are always very appreciative.

“So I want to put the word out that my wife Eva and I are willing to pick up donations of lemons – or any other fruit – and deliver them to ships on Friday and Saturday in honour of Mandela. Just give me a call on 082 7445554 and we will drop by and collect.”

Many will in fact know that there is a centuries-old link between citrus fruit and sailors.

In the ancient days of sail, many poorly nourished seamen who spent lengthy times sailing the oceans suffered from scurvy.

Typical symptoms included bleeding gums and loose teeth, skin haemorrhages and bruising, wounds that did not heal, extreme tiredness and fatigue.

A certain Dr James Lind successfully conducted experiments as far back as 1747, showing that scurvy was caused by a lack of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and could be treated by including lemons or limes in sailors’ diets.

Hence, British sailors became known as ‘limeys’, a word still in rare use today.

So, you may not have money growing on trees, but you may have lemons in your yard to share with Mark and Eva and our seafaring friends.

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