In Winner Take All, the final episode of the first season, Albert Frazer finally persuades James of the benefits of steam but to build the two new ships they want and raise the £100,000 they need they will have to go public. Naturally enough the wily Callon spots an opportunity to get himself a controlling interest in the steamship enterprise. Not only that but thanks to his canny playing ends up chairman of the company.
Meanwhile Baines has passed his Master’s examination and has been given command of the Pampero. His first voyage in command sees the ship in serious trouble though when it runs into a bad storm. Disastrously Baines has to give the order to abandon ship as the Pampero goes down.
James Garbutt makes an appearance here as Mr Tapscott who is organising the floatation, he would go on to take the role of Robert Onedin in the third series.
A strong end to what has been a fabulous opening season. By the end of the episode James and Anne are pretty much back where they started. He has lost control of the steam ship project and the Pampero has gone – but at least he still has the Charlotte Rhodes and Anne.
Baines gets command of his first ship only for disaster to strike.production details
UK / BBC One / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast 28 January 1972 at 9.20pm
Writer: Cyril Abraham / Designer: Oliver Bayldon / Director: Gerald Blake
Series: The Onedin Line Season 1 Episode 15 (of 15)
cast
Peter Gilmore as James
Michael Segal as Captain Svenson
Jay Neill as Dockmaster
Brian Rawlinson as Robert
Anne Stallybrass as Anne
James Hayter as Captain Webster
Philip Bond as Albert Frazer
Jessica Benton as Elizabeth
Mary Webster as Sarah
Howard Lang as Baines
Michael Billington as Daniel Fogarty
John Phillips as Mr Frazer
Nigel Lambert as Tranter
Edward Chapman as Callon
James Garbutt as Tapscott
Pamela Salem as Emma Callon
Chris Tranchell as Brandon
