The Onedin Line

Classic drama series charting the fortunes of a Liverpool shipping family headed by the ambitious James Onedin. The action opens in 1860. Already a seasoned seafarer at 28, Onedin is determined to command his own ship, even if it means marrying a woman he does not love. James Onedin is anxious to purchase the schooner, Charlotte Rhodes. Her owner Captain Webster refuses James's offer. However, the Captain has a daughter...

Anne Onedin learns about sea fever - and navigation

After a perilous return voyage, James Onedin finds more problems ashore. With little ready cash he is scarcely a match for ship-owner Callon's vengeance.

James Onedin slowly struggles to build up his fleet of sailing ships.

First he needs a warehouse - but as always the price is high.

James sails home to yet more money problems. Elizabeth cannot decide whether to marry Frazer or Fogarty.

The Charlotte Rhodes, badly damaged by violent storms, is foundering. Callon makes it a race for salvage.

Despite a disaster in the vineyards, James, in Lisbon, still manages to bargain for his square rigger. White sails billow against the blue sky, as the Pampero sails towards South America.

When James sails home to Liverpool with his new clipper, Anne is not on the quayside to greet him. The reason for her absence is a certain Michael Adams...

A ship James has chartered from Callon is lost at sea. Callon sees his chance to bankrupt the Onedin Line and takes it.

James is approached to carry a secret passenger to Italy, little knowing that Callon has arranged it, knowing the dangers involved.

The crew of a chartered ship has mutinied at Brest. Unless James can make them agree to sail on to London, the fruit cargo will perish and he will face financial disaster.

A dramatic voyage to Australia ends in near-disaster when James's promised cargo doesn't materialise. Then a stranger, McPherson, makes an unusual proposition.

Is Elizabeth's baby a bastard? Albert suddenly comes face to face with a new possibility, while James sets forth on a troubled voyage to Quebec.

James is lured by the prospect of high profits into attempting to run the Unionist blockade to the beleaguered Southern states of America during the Civil War.

Lured by the profitable prospects of steamships, James sets up a public company - but Callon is an old hand at financial juggling. Barnes returns to Liverpool with the news that the Pampero has been lost.