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1. Contact us about Elder Dempster

   Please contact us using the details below if you’d like to find out more about Elder Dempster Lines or the Homeward Bound Project. We welcome enquiries from schools, teachers and community groups.

2. The history of Elder Dempster Lines

   Read more about the history of Elder Dempster Lines - the largest UK shipping group between Western Europe and West Africa from the late-nineteenth century to the 1980s.

3. Timeline – Elder Dempster

   Browse through the dates on the Elder Dempster timeline to learn more about the history of the Elder Dempster Lines shipping company.

4. 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.

5. Elder Dempster teaching resources

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

6. Mike Ingham

   Mike was a Purser for Elder Dempster Lines. In his interview, Mike talks about the role of a Purser and the challenges he faced. Listen to Mike's interview.

7. John Martin

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

8. 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.

9. Jim Forsey interview

   Jim was a Purser at Elder Dempster Lines. Listen to Jim's interview.

10. Ian Walker interview

    Ian Walker was a Fourth Engineer for Elder Dempster Lines. Listen to Ian Walker's interview.