Literature and Culture Corner

Written by Ben Kesp Elder Dempster Apapa II 1927 - 1940. Source: Wrecksite Recently I was working on a genealogy project and I came across the Dempster Lines and one of its most notable ships the Apapa. The history of the Elder Dempster Lines is closely connected with the development of maritime trade between Britain and West Africa. For generations, its ships carried passengers, mail and essential commodities linking Liverpool with ports throughout the African coastline. Among the vessels that became part of this remarkable history were the Apapa ships, whose stories reflect both the growth of international shipping and the dangers faced by merchant seafarers during two world wars. The origins of Elder Dempster can be traced to 1852, when the African Steam Ship Company began regular steamship services between Britain and West Africa. In 1868, Alexander Elder and John Dempster established Elder, Dempster & Co. in Liverpool, initially acting as agents for the British and African S...