St Helena

In 1977, the remote British island of St Helena in the South Atlantic, host to Napoleon and Captain Bligh, and Boer War prisoner-of-war camp, was first served by a lifeline ship dedicated to the purpose. The Royal Mail Ship St Helena became affectionately known simply as the RMS. In 1990 she was replaced by the first purpose-built vessel for the service. This, the final St Helena, embodied romanticism from the era of passenger cargo-liners. At a time when fresh consideration was being given to provide the island with an airport - and the irrevocable changes it would bring - the author sailed on the RMS as part of the ship's company, to document the working life of this highly individual 'family' ship, and aspects of the island community which she served.

Using his wonderful collection of colour photographs, Trevor Boult tells this fascinating story.