Well-informed story of 1960s seafaring

Former seafarer Bill Ferguson has come up with an intriguing book in c/o Cunard House, which blurs the lines between memoir and novel, reflecting his time with Port Line, a Cunard cargo liner subsidiary. The semi-autobiographical story is narrated in the third person through Jack, a Cornish seafarer, and follows his career progression in the 1960s aboard several Port Line refrigerated cargo ships.

'Jack' is also revealed to be a trade union member, rather reluctantly parting with his subs for the old National Union of Seamen (now part of the RMT) at a time when union reps used to come onboard for the cash.

The book's title refers to Cunard House, the London headquarters of Port Line Ltd, where mail for 'sea staff' was addressed before being forwarded to their respective vessels. Ferguson provides a brief background on the British Merchant Navy in the mid-20th century and the skills required, including the deck department rank structure of a Port Line vessel. These ranks are cleverly brought to life during Jack's journey from a country boy on private seafarer training to becoming a deck officer.

c/o Cunard House: 88 Leadenhall Street, London EC3    
By Bill Ferguson       
Whittles Publishing, £18.99
ISBN: 978 18499 55829