This web site was started by me ( Alan Rawlinson) some years ago as a home for pictures related to my sea going career. Later pictures were added from Offshore days in Dubai and other personal career stuff. It has morphed into a site for Bank Line enthusiasts and past members and continues to grow. Ship pictures are always welcome.

I am extremely grateful to contributors who have offered and prepared original material to improve the site offerings… There are many, but a few have freely sent extensive postings. They have web sites, i.e. https://junglecat.de and http://www.oceanjoss.com. which I urge you to visit. Also, ” Shipmate” who wrote the “Four Men in a Boat” story. They all sailed in the Bank Line.

My own career started in 1951 as an apprentice in the Bankline, joining the old ‘ Forthbank ‘ steamer in Cardiff. Then followed 10 years to Chief Officer on the M.V. Southbank. (before she was wrecked!) and then a career in Sealink and onwards to management abroard in Dubai, Hong Kong, and Singapore in shipping related jobs. In recent years I have penned a couple of books about life at sea in the 1950’s, and these books are called ” Any Budding Sailors?” and ” Merchant navy Apprentice – 1951-1955″. They include an account of time spent on steam ships, motor ships, war built ships, and the passenger ship Inchanga. The books are both in print, and available as ebooks on Amazon, or by following the links on the site.

Please enjoy browsing the site, and feel free to comment!