What life was like aboard a British vessel in the last great days of the Merchant Navy is described from first hand experience by the author. This is a typical trip on one of Holt Line's 'China Boats' out of the Mersey to the Far East and back by way of Suez. The time is the 1960s and this fascinating account reflects a style of seafaring now totally lost among todays container ships and roll on-roll off ferries.