Do you remember when the words "Britannia Rules the Waves"were not just the title of a song? Do you look back with nostalgia to those days when Cunard ruled the North Atlantic and Union Castle liners were a common sight steaming down to Capetown while stately P & O and Orient ships sped down to Australia and New Zealand or cruised the exotic South Seas? Were you ever moved by the deep throated blast of the ship's whistle, fluttering streamers and the band playing as your ship gently eased herself from the jetty in Sydney or Auckland?
How about the Royal Mail Lines, Shaw Saville or Pacific Steam? And do you remember the cargo liners of yesteryear that plied their trade to all corners of the globe, carrying so much of the world's trade goods? What happened to Blue Funnel, Glen Line, Clan Line, or Furness Withy? Where are the ships of Brocklebank, Elder Dempster or Blue Star,to name but a few? How about the tramp ships, the work horses of the British fleet?
I remember all these companies and many of their ships! In fact I sailed on quite a few. Many will recall the flags and funnels of King Line, Andrew Weir's Bank Line, Watts Watts, Hogarths or even Chapman & Willan. The list was endless!
If you are interested in obtaining video cassettes showing rare footage of many of the old British company ships, click on the link below. A number of diecast models and limited edition prints are also available.Any of these items would make ideal presents for friends or family. Let me also hasten to add that I include this link purely as a service to fellow enthusiasts!
