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1. Elder Dempster teaching resources

   Expand your knowledge of Elder Dempster with our teaching and learning resources.

2. Interviews and memoirs – Elder Dempster

   As part of the Homeward Bound project we’ve collected 25 oral testimonies from Elder Dempster Line’s seafaring and office staff. Listen to the interviews.

3. 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.

4. John Martin

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

5. 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.

6. Alan Wigelsworth interview – Elder Dempster

   Alan Wigelsworth began working for Elder Dempster Lines aged 15. Alan joined the company as office boy. Listen to Alan's interview.

7. Peter Woods

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

8. Lawrence Aye Maung

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

9. 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.

10. 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.