The Onedin Line

Loss of the Helen May (4x1)

: 25, 1976

The 'Helen May is importing barrels of petroleum into Liverpool in thick fog. A barrel is leaking and the ship explodes when a seaman,holding a lantern,investigates. Baines believes more effort should have been made to look for survivors, Onedin insists there were none. One sailor,however,does survive,and gives evidence at the inquest. The ship was sailing too fast and the blame is attached to its dead captain. Elizabeth,meanwhile,learns that Albert has died in South America.