The Onedin Line
Synopsis
The Onedin Line is a BBC television drama series which ran from 1971 to 1980. The series was created by Cyril Abraham.
The series is set in Liverpool from 1860 to 1886 and deals with the rise of a shipping line, the Onedin Line, named after its owner James Onedin. Around this central theme are the lives of his family, most notably his brother and partner, shop owner Robert, and his sister Elizabeth, giving insight into the lifestyle and customs at the time, not only at sea, but also ashore. The series also illustrates some of the changes in business and shipping, such as from wooden to steel ships and from sailing ships to steam ships. It shows the role that ships played in affairs like international politics, uprisings and the slave trade.
Season 5 Episodes
EP 1
Five years have elapsed. Onedin is a prisoner in a settlement in South America from where he is rescued by Captain Baines, and they return …
EP 2
James Onedin returns to Liverpool, his ships laden with grain from Turkey. The sale of this will pay off the interest on the debt and start…
EP 3
Five ships, all carrying iron plate, have foundered - people betting on the losses, including Mr. Dunwoody, Elizabeth's clerk, who buys the…
EP 4
Having exposed Macauley's insurance scam James proposes to Letty, who accepts. Daniel also returns to Liverpool, now a very wealthy man. Ro…
EP 5
On the eve of his voyage to Montevideo Letty tells James she will marry him - in her own good time. She also gives William financial backin…
EP 6
Letty tells James she invested in William's steam engine project and he buys a flour mill in her name, sailing to Pennsylvania to buy loose…
EP 7
William makes his peace with his parents but assures them that his interest in developing steam engines supersedes his desire to inherit th…
EP 8
James and Captain Baines sail to Palermo to pick up emigrants for America. Whilst James is ashore with his Sicilian agent Benito, several M…
EP 9
James is importing jute from Scotland and is not happy to learn that Letty's mill-workers are repairing old jute sacks, which, given that s…
EP 10
James and Letty are to be married on board ship by Captain Baines but this nearly does not happen when a group of shanghaied sailors attemp…
