Among the fresh seaweed of the ocean floor, the octopus peered at the barnacle-clad hull of an overhead steamboat as it puffed clouds of soot over its cargo of ripe bananas, smoked almonds and molasses. The reek of beech resin and tar on teak from its decking mingled with the brine of the sea and buckets of scallops.

With water came the thick grease from the engine room as it combined with coal dust, lobster nets and tar-covered rope. Thick oils trawled across the tongue and left behind sweet cereals and sawdust with salted caramel and hints of spiced chutney.