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  1. About the Elder Dempster project

    The Homeward Bound: A Liverpool-West Africa Heritage Project documents the lives and memories of Elder Dempster’s seafaring and office staff. As part of the project, we recorded 25 oral testimonies.

  2. John Martin

    John Martin was a catering officer with Elder Dempster Lines. Read his account of his experiences with the shipping company.

  3. John Goble

    John Goble was the Chief Officer for Elder Dempster Lines. John joined Elder Dempsters in 1963 as Third Mate. In his interview, John discusses the challenges of working at sea, his first impressions on West Africa and how the impact containerisation had on the industry.

  5. Peter Woods

    Peter Woods was a Cadet Officer at Elder Dempster Lines. Listen to Peter's interview.

  6. Lawrence Aye Maung

    Lawrence Aye Maung was Chief Officer for Elder Dempster Lines. Listen to Lawrence Aye Maung's interview.

  7. Ken Birch

    Ken Birch was a Managing Director for Elder Dempster Lines. Ken had a family history of seafaring and had experience of the sea as a child after he and his family relocated to Southport because of the bombings in WWII. LIsten to Ken's interview.

  8. Steve New

    Steve New began working for Elder Dempsters in 1962 as an Indentured Deck Officer Apprentice. In his interview, Steve talks about those early days in the engine room, the dangers of cleaning wheelhouse windows and about why Steve joined the Merchant Navy.

  9. Brian McManus interview – Elder Dempster

    Brian McManus joined Elder Dempster Lines as a second officer and made his way up the ranks to master. Find out more about Brian's experiences onboard the ships by listening to his interview.