P&O Heritage Collection

01/06/2026

“N is for NEPTUNE, the King of the Sea,
who rules o’er the Oceans you’re crossing with me.”

We’re enjoying rediscovering ‘A Nautical ABC’ which was first published in 1948 to keep Orient Line’s young passengers informed and amused. It features N E Roberts’ memorable verse and Lynton Lamb’s wonderful illustrations.

It also had us delving into our photographic collections to find examples of nautical life that Lamb had illustrated.

Passing over the equator was a memorable occasion. The ship’s crew organised elaborate ceremonies in which passengers paid tribute to Neptune, king of the oceans before ‘crossing the line’. Certificates were issued in the name of Neptune including one here also illustrated by Lynton Lamb.

You can explore the whole ABC, and our extensive photographic and ephemera collections, online:

https://poheritage.com/collections/76931e51-c079-34a2-b785-75450a11737f

28/05/2026

Are there any Ten Pound Poms in your family?

After the second world war, thousands of British people took up the opportunity to start a new life on the other side of the world, with an assisted passage to Australia or New Zealand.

P&O’s ships took many of them to their new homes and lives.

Read more about P&O’s Ten Pound Poms:

Who were the British migrants who left for a new life in Australia, sailing on P&O ships?

24/05/2026

“L for my LIFEBOATS, so sturdy and neat;
when down from their davits they make quite a fleet.”

We’re enjoying rediscovering ‘A Nautical ABC’ which was first published in 1948 to keep Orient Line’s young passengers informed and amused. It features N E Roberts’ memorable verse and Lynton Lamb’s wonderful illustrations.

It also had us delving into our photographic collections to find examples of nautical life that Lamb had illustrated.

Here one of ARCADIA (1954)’s lifeboat is pictured being lowered during a routine safety drill.

You can explore the whole ABC, and our extensive photographic archive, in our collections online:

https://poheritage.com/collections/76931e51-c079-34a2-b785-75450a11737f

21/05/2026

Did you know we have a collection of miniature ship models? The oldest ones date back to the nineteenth century.

Some were made to promote sea voyages, some were made for exhibitions, and some were made by sailors to remember their days at sea.

Many were lost as lines and shipyards closed. We’re dedicated to preserving the ones we have so that future generations can learn about the history of sea travel.

Our senior conservator, Anna-Klara Hahn-Haworth writes about what we can learn from these incredible models:

Our unique collection of models shows how ships were built, and the evolution of the P&O fleet.

20/05/2026

Last night we were thrilled to be at the book launch of Seafaring Women Through History by Jo Stanley, in the stunning surroundings of Lloyds Register Foundation, and in the week which began with International Day for Women in Maritime 2026 on 18th May.

In an academic career spanning over 40 years, Jo has done more than anyone to find, document, celebrate and champion the role of women seafarers. Her latest book, rooted in meticulous research and full of fascinating stories, “showcases the unremitting resolve of generations of seagoing women” of both the Royal and Merchant Navy, from the 1750s to the present day. It’s a wonderful and fascinating read.

Following in Jo’s wake, and aided by great initiatives like Lloyds Register Foundation’s Rewriting Women into Maritime History there’s now a growing list of titles, research projects and exhibitions like Maritime Women at the Maritiem Museum Rotterdam, recording the role of women in the wider maritime sector.

As an all-female team, we’re delighted to be onboard and committed to preserving the experiences of P&O’s women working both ashore and afloat. Please do get in touch if you can add to our archive.

You can follow Jo’s blog, Gender and the Sea, at https://genderedseas.blogspot.com/

19/05/2026

“K for the KNOTS (Bends and Hitches to sailors)
as well known to them as are stitches to tailors.”

We’re enjoying rediscovering ‘A Nautical ABC’ which was first published in 1948 to keep Orient Line’s young passengers informed and amused. It features N E Roberts’ memorable verse and Lynton Lamb’s wonderful illustrations.

It also had us delving into our photographic collections to find examples of nautical life that Lamb had illustrated.

A decade after the ABC, Orient Line launched its award winning advertising campaign ‘Run Away to Sea’. Pictured in this poster is Deck Storekeeper Clifford Cutting showing us the ropes on board ORSOVA (1954).

And in case you didn’t know, knots, bends and hitches are three different things. A knot is tied at the end of a rope; a hitch ties a rope to a fastening, and a bend joins two ropes together.

You can explore the whole ABC in our collections online, and buy copies of posters in our online shop:

https://poheritage.com/collections/76931e51-c079-34a2-b785-75450a11737f

15/05/2026

“H for my HOUSE-FLAG which flies at the mast
the mark of the Line, handed down from the past.”

We’re enjoying rediscovering ‘A Nautical ABC’ which was first published in 1948 to keep Orient Line’s young passengers informed and amused. It features N E Roberts’ memorable verse and Lynton Lamb’s wonderful illustrations.

It also had us delving into our photographic collections to find examples of nautical life that Lamb had illustrated.

A ship’s house flag indicates the company to which the liner belongs. The Orient Line flag here, with its blue cross and yellow crown was flown from 1909 to 1966. It fell to Commodore J L Dunkley to lower the flag for the last time on ORIANA (1960) on 30 September 1966.

You can explore the whole ABC, and our extensive photographic archive, in our collections online:

https://poheritage.com/collections/76931e51-c079-34a2-b785-75450a11737f

11/05/2026

“G for my GALLEYS (called kitchens on shore),
where meals are prepared and served up by the score.”

We’re enjoying rediscovering ‘A Nautical ABC’ which was first published in 1948 to keep Orient Line’s young passengers informed and amused. It features N E Roberts’ memorable verse and Lynton Lamb’s wonderful illustrations.

It also had us delving into our photographic collections to find examples of nautical life that Lamb had illustrated.

Keeping a ship fed and watered was a mammoth task requiring substantial provisions. This baker aboard IBERIA (1954) is getting to work with the dough for bread rolls.

You can explore the whole ABC, and our extensive photographic archive, in our collections online:

https://poheritage.com/collections/76931e51-c079-34a2-b785-75450a11737f

08/05/2026

“F for my FUNNEL which points to the skies,
and keeps all the s**ts well away from your eyes.”

We’re enjoying rediscovering ‘A Nautical ABC’ which was first published in 1948 to keep Orient Line’s young passengers informed and amused. It features N E Roberts’ memorable verse and Lynton Lamb’s wonderful illustrations.

It also had us delving into our photographic collections to find examples of nautical life that Lamb had illustrated.

Funnels didn’t always work quite as they should which lead to some interesting adaptations. Here Orient Line’s ORCADES (1948) is pictured with her ‘Welsh hat’, a steam pipe added to the funnel in 1954 to solve the s**t problem.

You can explore the whole ABC, and our extensive photographic archive, in our collections online:

https://poheritage.com/collections/76931e51-c079-34a2-b785-75450a11737f

05/05/2026

“E for my ENGINES so silent and strong,
which turn the propellers that drive me along.”

We’re enjoying rediscovering ‘A Nautical ABC’ which was first published in 1948 to keep Orient Line’s young passengers informed and amused. It features N E Roberts’ memorable verse and Lynton Lamb’s wonderful illustrations.

It also had us delving into our photographic collections to find examples of nautical life that Lamb had illustrated.

As any engineer will tell you, engines were not quite so silent up close. In these photos we’re down in the engine rooms of two STRATHS, the passenger liner STRATHMORE (1937) and general cargo liner STRATHMAY (1970).

You can explore the whole ABC, and our extensive photographic archive, in our collections online:

https://poheritage.com/collections/76931e51-c079-34a2-b785-75450a11737f