Original subtitles

Thank you.

Well, gentlemen, there it is.

A ship canal that will carry the largest steamer from Liverpool to Manchester.

This initial study proves beyond doubt that it's a practical proposition.

Oh, it's a mighty scheme, Daniel.

Frighten you, John?

No, not me.

No, but as then as it will.

You'll find no faint hearts here, sir.

I fancy Mr. Bradley means the railways. They've got monopoly on transport to

Manchester. They'll not give up easy.

Then we'll fight them. We've always known we'd have to, and we'll win.

Exactly so.

Easy said.

Well, you look here.

London and North Western, Cheshire Lines, Great Western, they'll all be a

Guinness. Oh, to say nothing of the Bridgewater Navigation and the Mersey

and Harbour Board. Don't you mock.

They've got clout, Daniel.

And we've got Sir Norman Truscott MP.

Your service in all things, gentlemen.

Oh, no disrespect to you, sir, but... Mr. Bradley, whilst I raise your banner

Parliament, you must fire such broadsides of your own in the national

that the public will clamour for this canal.

Aye. Well... Oh, Benjamin, let the battle come when it may.

Will you not look at what we've got and give us your thoughts on that?

Very pretty.

What's it likely to cost?

Styles of the utmost extravagance.

While London is positively ablaze with colour. Such jolly gardens as you could

wish to see.

Oh, but of course the latest fashions won't reach you yet.

at a political soiree only last month.

The wife of one of Sir Norman's parliamentary candidates was wearing a

Oh, dear.

Perhaps it is fortunate, Lady Truscott, that we have not received all of

London's latest fashions.

There'll be no locks until Latchford, here.

We shall then follow the course of the Mersey and Irwell navigation, building

two further locks here at Earlham and here at Barton.

Only three, Latchford and two more.

And the Roman's built in straight lines, now why can't we?

Because the river navigation's already there, sir. Begging to be used. And it

would cost us money to ignore it. It's going to cost us ten million for thirty

miles of channel and three locks.

Damn it, it's not your money, sir. Look, there are docks to be built, there's

lands to be bought, there's compensation to be paid for the railways. You can't

do it all for ten and sixpence, Benjamin.

Mr. Bradley, I have no vested interest in this scheme, either financial or

political. since I represent neither a Manchester nor a Liverpool constituency,

so my opinion is unclouded by self -interest.

And it seems to me that ten million is a small investment for brave men to make

in view of the general prosperity that will follow. Yes, that's an easy opinion

for a man with no stake to hold, sir. I can hardly hold a stake if I'm to lobby

for you impartially in the house. More brandy, gentlemen.

Yes, I'd like a large one.

She was married to a young man who had something to do with cotton.

Sir Norman seemed to think it a very proper match.

Do you feel quite well, Lady Fogarty?

I was just wondering how long the gentleman intended to desert us. When

about business or politics, time simply ceases to exist.

Oh, and let us be thankful if it means we women need not concern our heads with

either. But I am a businesswoman, Lady Truscott. In fact, I am my husband's

business partner.

And I have every reason to believe that at this very moment he's doing his best

to ruin us.

Excuse me. Aye, you're right about that. It's not all we railways, Mersey, Docks

and Harbour board. It's every shipowner and docker in Liverpool out there that

smashes. Yes, and you know what they'll call me?

A traitor.

And why shouldn't they, Daniel? That's exactly what you'll be.

Lady Fogarty.

Indeed, Mr. Anderson.

It's different for you. You probably don't understand.

You're Manchester.

You have mills and you're landlocked.

But Daniel is Liverpool, or was.

Sir Daniel has mills too, ma 'am. And they'll prosper for him as mine. Yes,

he has a greater interest in shipyards, which will be more adversely affected to

say nothing of his obligations to his neighbours. Elizabeth. Yes, Daniel. Not

here and not now.

Lady Fogarty, we've neglected you too long. Am I intruding, Daniel? Yes.

You'll find nothing but dry money matters here, madam. What business is?

Oh, but I am very astute at dry money matters, Mr. Bradley.

Feeble woman, though I am.

And I happen to know exactly what your business here tonight is.

The death of Liverpool. Elizabeth, that's enough. Don't presume to give me

orders, Daniel.

Your canal is doomed, gentlemen.

Liverpool will bury it.

See, there's still no peace at Arland and Wolfe.

Can you blame them?

Putting wages by 10 % is nothing short of scandalous.

What are you up to?

It's a baby's bonnet.

Huh?

It's for one of my women. She's due next month.

I suppose you'll be paying her wages while she's laid up?

Confined.

Why are you going to Africa again so soon?

Oh, a lot of trade opening up there. I want to get my foot in the door with

of those trading posts.

Oh, you're quite tired all of a sudden.

Would you mind if I went to bed?

You stick or something? No, just tired.

Well, I noticed you didn't eat your supper.

Come to think of it, neither did Charlotte.

Well, she...

I wasn't feeling well this morning. I think she's probably caught something.

Maybe you have too.

No, no.

I've just no appetite.

Well, you need a change of air.

Aye.

Not like the air for giving you an appetite, you know.

What are you suggesting?

That you come with me.

Africa? Aye.

James? Well, why not?

Well, I don't know. Luke, I want you to come.

And what did that achieve, Elizabeth?

You embarrassed them, you embarrassed me, and you gained nothing. Can't you

what this will do to Liverpool? Now, can't you see why I'm doing it?

Liverpool has had the advantage long enough.

Now, if we reduce freight charges to Manchester, cotton will flourish.

There'll be more jobs, prices will come down, not just here, but everywhere.

You must try not to be so parochial.

I was born and raised in Liverpool. My family means something in this city. And

you will be a traitor to them and me if you have anything to do with this. Come

out! I have no choice.

Now, please, Elizabeth, let's not go to bed, enemies.

If you come to my room, Daniel, the door will be locked.

Good night!

though, is it, Brannigan?

You were told to be out of here by yesterday.

We've nowhere to go.

Your road must lead somewhere.

I'll get that box.

Don't! Don't! Don't!

Likely we'll be back this way tomorrow.

But happen you'll be gone by then, eh?

Where are we to go?

What good's an empty village?

Lands to be sold.

It's worth more without the tenants.

I don't know why.

Now, pack up and move on, Branigan.

You're the last to go.

So, as long as he supports that scheme, the devil can have him.

Now, will you talk to James?

James has tried once already. Well, not hard enough.

He must talk to him again. Daniel must be stopped.

He may not be able to do anything before he sails.

When is that?

The end of the week.

Where for?

West Africa.

Oh, he'll be gone for months.

He's asked me to go with him. By the time he gets back, it'll be... You?

Go with him in your condition?

Oh, Letty, you still haven't told him.

I mean, look at you. You're laced in so tight, I don't know how you can breathe.

I don't know how.

Don't tell him.

Do you want to kill the child? Oh, good God, no. Well, then you have no choice.

Yes. Bring it in here.

The town king said I want this last one stoned me out of the hole.

Baines. Aye.

Reverend Pierce Webster, sir.

You're bound for Lagos, are you? We are.

Do you carry passengers, Captain?

Sometimes.

You see, Captain, there's a mission station on the Apovey River that I must

reach before the summer rains.

Now, my daughter and I were to have sailed last week aboard the Albert

but unfortunately our cargo didn't arrive in time. Cargo? Yes.

Bibles. Ten crates.

What's your answer, sir?

To the Lord's pool.

Will you carry us?

It's not really up to me, sir. It's up to the owner.

Who might that be?

There's a Mr. in need, and you'll find him at the office of the Harris.

James O 'Neill.

Aye.

James O 'Neill.

Thank you.

The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Surely he does.

Please stay tonight. What are you doubting about, dear old vulture?

Let's eat.

What's... We have visitors, James. This is the Reverend Webster.

Sir.

Reverend? Allow me to introduce my daughter, Hannah.

Miss Webster.

Mr. Needham.

The Reverend is seeking a passage to Africa, James.

When I heard your name, sir, I could scarcely believe my good fortune.

Surely God's hands that work here, I thought.

Africa? You probably had no notion of our existence even.

But will you believe me when I tell you that we are related?

Oh, Webster.

Yes, through Anne.

She and I were cousins, Mr. O 'Neill.

Yes,

there is a certain resemblance.

I remember her speaking of you.

Well, it's a happy meeting, James.

Yes. One might almost say divinely inspired.

You know, when our cargo was delayed so that we missed the Albert Trader, we put

our trust in the good Lord's deliverance, but never thought to find

this. Yes, it does seem to be more than just coincidence.

Hans Cosme.

May I say, ma 'am, that I trust our presence causes you no discomfort.

I mean, Anne was called to the Lord so long ago, and...

A man surely needs a helpmate.

Mr. O 'Neden, will you help us?

Carry us to Africa.

You as well?

Of course.

I suppose so.

We do have cabins.

I don't see why not.

But when you cannot just leave her.

This place is for children who have no parents.

And look, already we're overcrowded.

So she'd fare better if she were alone in the world.

Aye. For God knows that she soon might be. Not while you're fit and strong.

If I cannot feed myself, how shall I feed her, sir? What about her mother?

Feed your back.

Relations? No.

So now you desert her.

You're all she has.

I'm no good to her. Not where I must go.

Take her, sir, please.

Will you come back?

Aye.

If God wills it.

Put her in that bed there.

I had no idea it could be like this.

Oh, it isn't always.

Sometimes they're at death's door when they come here.

I've never seen anything so pitiful in all my life.

Come. You shall have all the help we can give you.

A strange couple.

Not sensible enough to me.

She's a beautiful woman.

Eh? And cousin.

Oh, did you think so?

Didn't you?

Oh, in handsome enough, I suppose, in her way.

Here. Where's Charlotte? I mean, does she live here anymore or not? No, no.

She's still feeling poorly.

Well, why not send for the doctor? She says it's not serious.

Well...

James, about this trip, I think I won't come with you.

Oh? Would you mind?

Up to you. Well, I know you wanted me to come.

Seemed a good idea.

Oh, me and this Webster aboard.

It'd be worse than being at home.

Come, Lettie, what sort of nonsense is that?

Well, you don't want to be surrounded by women.

Hardly surrounded by women.

Is she the reason you're not coming? No.

It's not that I don't want to come.

I simply cannot.

Well, why?

All right, don't tell me.

I'm buying a shredding machine.

to turn ticking into flock.

Well, the machine will arrive while you're gone, and I feel that... Well, I

ought to be here.

Well, it's your decision.

I have to go to London.

Well, don't you want to know why?

I'm sure I can guess.

Well, I doubt it.

The South African Conference has thrown out the Murchison line.

That means we have the steamships with no routes. Someone is trying to put us

the rocks.

Well, I thought you might be interested. We're supposed to be business partners.

Really? I'd never have known. Then let's go for all this nonsense. It's not of

my make. Whoever's forth, it's time for a truce.

Whilst in London, is the South African Conference the only thing you'll be

discussing? Probably not.

Your lobby's support for the canal.

Perhaps.

Then I suggest you stay there.

Oi, mate. Kept whoring us up.

Why'd you give it up?

Your wife died.

I had a child then, Paul. And now?

She's in good hands.

Ah, well, the pity of it is I still don't know your lad. I mean, I can take

on as a hand, but as a ship's carpenter, that's something else again.

You'll care no better on this dock.

Then I'll move on.

Perhaps you have too much pride, Master Brannigan.

Maybe I have too much skin in my hands to see it resting.

I have not swallowed so much pain for life.

Wait a minute.

Now, we sail the day after tomorrow, and the blocks and the steering gear has to

be greased before then. Now, you show me what you can do, and maybe I'll think

again.

Welcome aboard.

Miller, go and take the ladies' luggage.

Wait, Gangplank.

Right. Set the head so...

Working this trip, sir?

Oh, don't keep a doubt about yourself.

Keep her followed by.

You don't look like a beggar, Mr. Simmons. Oh, he is not a beggar,

He's a very noble -minded philanthropist.

He's the director of an orphanage.

Orphanage? Wits and Strays.

Thank you, Sarah. I do know what orphans are.

Won't you sit down, Mr. Simmons?

How many do you have?

More than we can accommodate.

What the orphanage needs most of all at this moment is new premises.

And it is to that end that Mr. Simmons seeks new benefactors, Elizabeth.

What is wrong with the premises you already have?

Children are like to die there.

If you could see them.

Oh, I wouldn't dream of exposing you to it, Lady Fogarty. Anyone who's ever seen

the plight of those children could help but come to their assistance.

Perhaps Mr. Simmons feels I am one of those people who would prefer to pay and

not to have to see anything.

Not you, ma 'am.

Any woman of your beauty is already too generous.

Merely by allowing the world to look on her.

How much do you need?

Immediately three or four thousand.

And how much have you raised? The fact is, Elizabeth, you are the first one we

have approached.

Well, I will speak to my husband. You understand I can promise nothing.

But Sir Daniel might perceive some advantage in helping you.

It's good of you to receive me so graciously.

Good to see a true craftsman at work.

What is that?

It's called the pin rail.

Dems. Belay pins.

Tie off the running rigging round them.

If you're interested in how a ship works, I'll show you.

I'd enjoy that, Mr. Newton.

I haven't seen your father this morning.

I'll take it there's nothing wrong.

It's one of the crosses the dear Lord has laid upon him.

Sailing always makes him unwell.

Well, I take it you're not affected by the central.

Happily, no.

It makes me feel... You

all right?

Looking up made me feel... Tell me, Miss Wood.

Do you know Miss Sittler?

Care to join me?

Not just now, thank you, Duke.

Come,

you do yourself well.

Only when I know you're coming aboard, sir.

Any Mrs. O 'Neill could have come with us this time, sir?

Ah, some business commitment.

Oh, is that what it was?

Aye.

I'd think you're a missus.

Well, no more than usual.

When I received your invitation, Lady Fogarty, I was sure it would be to meet

your husband.

Daniel is in London.

Does he know about it? No.

Does it not concern you what people might think, inviting me to dine with

away?

Let people think what they will.

They usually do, anyway.

You interest me, Mr. Simmons.

I'm flattered.

So you should be.

Who are you?

Marcus Simmons, Esquire.

No one of note.

And yet the director of an orphanage.

One must occupy oneself somehow.

Don't insult my intelligence. There has to be more to it than that.

It brought me here.

Is that an end worth gaining?

Not an end.

An achievement.

A promising development.

Tell me, do you seduce rich women for pleasure?

Or profit?

I doubt you'd believe my motives, Lady Fogarty.

Unless I show them to you.

Show me, then.

You're quite lively travel.

My father spent many years in India and China.

Oh, you're always a company of them, are you?

Of course.

Ever since her mother died.

Quite a hard life for a woman.

Sometimes, yes.

We do not ask for bodily comfort.

Hannah's reward shall be to rest in the bosom of Abraham.

I find that somewhat of a long -term policy, Miss Oliver.

Then perhaps you should look to your faith, sir.

Ah, but do you enjoy the life, eh?

It's been so long. Seems I know no other.

Haven't answered me question.

So, answer him, Hannah.

One's beauty isn't always pleasurable, Mr. Eden.

Then it should be.

It may be hard. It may be painful.

It may be more than the body can stand.

But what greater joy if it is done in the service of the Lord.

I feel a little tired.

I trust you will excuse me.

Oh, Buck.

Hannah, you will not be long.

No, Buck.

I shall pay for you, daughter.

Is there anything you want?

Anything with some dude to make your journey more comfortable?

No.

Thank you, Mr. Nichols.

You ever know the first Mrs. O 'Neill, ma 'am?

Yes, the last time I saw her was 12 years old. Fine lady.

We was all very grieved when she passed on.

Right.

Well, never thought to see her like again. Of course, that was before the

present Mrs. Eden come along. You met her, I take?

Yes.

Now, that's my lady.

I'm sure you agree that Mr.

Eden's a very lucky man.

Thank you, ma 'am.

You said you would not expose me.

You gave me a chance.

The youngest we have can be no more than four.

The eldest is thirteen.

We find them in the tenements and the gutters.

More each day.

Most are starving, and many of them diseased when they come here.

And this is the best we can do for them.

No proper beds, no heat, not enough food or medicine.

Only a leaky roof and a little bit of love.

May I not help them for their own sake, Lady Bobbin? It's little enough to do.

That meal we ate this evening, it would feed five of them for a week.

Don't make me feel guilty. No.

No, you are not responsible.

Are you?

No.

And yet you sound like a man who deserves his conscience.

Perhaps I do.

If I cannot help my fortunate birth, my happy child, being more privileged than

they will ever be, perhaps I owe them something.

Perhaps we all do.

Oh, does it matter?

Look at them.

Does it really matter?

I would flatter and beguile any woman, Lady Fogarty, if I thought it would help

them.

Mary Branigan, age ten.

Abandoned by her father.

You see, they come to us from far and wide.

In her case, as far as Latchford.

They were turned out of their home for their land to be sold.

wickedness.

Such awful wickedness.

Pray to God that he may forgive you.

Yes, pray to God that he may forgive this awful vile wickedness. On your

and pray to him.

You unnatural man.

Shame.

Shame on you.

I don't understand.

Understand?

You pray to God that he may understand.

What have you to say for yourself, Brannigan?

Why, I'm not deprived he can't speak.

He's too ashamed.

Give him a chance.

It were about me daughter, sir.

I thought she'd understand.

He confessed to me that he'd abandoned the child. I took her to an orphanage,

sir, before I signed on. His own child.

And she but ten years old.

Is that all that this is about?

Oh, I had no money.

No one would give me work. It was the CEO's salvation, so I did the only thing

could. You deserted her.

Not quite, Miss.

And what else could I do?

You could have made out an allotment to her after you'd sat on. And where would

she live?

Oh, you're no natural father.

I left her in good hands.

Even so, do you think it has not pained me? Maybe.

There's no way to talk to a lady.

Sorry, sir.

Better get back to your work.

And pray to God that she's not toiling in some factory.

Or dead. It's really none of our business, miss. Well, then it ought to

he placed her in an orphanage... Orphanage?

I wouldn't put it past him to have sold her.

Ah, well, if you don't mind me saying so.

I think Miss Webster should stay clear of the crew from now on and keep off the

deck as much as possible.

In my cabin? Or here.

I don't think we can ask Miss Webster to do that, then. I'm only thinking to

avoid trouble. Oh, that's better to be all.

You mean he sailed, and you still haven't told him?

Oh, Elizabeth, how could I?

With that woman aboard, it would almost have been... Oh, I don't know, as if I

didn't trust him.

Would you have told him about the child now?

Oh, you know, sometimes I think he must be blind.

Even Captain Bates guessed the truth, and I didn't say a word, oh, but not

James.

Oh.

Oh, Elizabeth, I should have told you, shouldn't I?

End result. We're back on the conference and we've got our share of the cargoes.

Beaumont won't be pleased. He was responsible for having us thrown off.

Let's find some way to deal with him.

Well, you don't seem much interested.

I hardly expected you to come home admitting defeat.

And what have you been doing?

Entertaining myself with a young man.

Elizabeth? Yes, it was quite a revelation, really. He took me on a tour

orphanage. Oh, by the way, did I say he was the director of an orphanage? You

haven't even told me his name yet. Don't you find your knighthood somewhat

tarnished, Daniel?

Well, I don't understand. There was a girl from Latchford in the orphanage who

was thrown out of her home because the land the village stood on was to be

Now, who on earth would want to buy an entire village at Latchford and raise it

to the ground?

Isn't that where you intend building the first lock for your infernal canal?

Yes, it is. You're dispossessing people, Daniel. You're making beggars and

vagrants of us. It happens every day. Your concern might be more touching if

wasn't so particular.

I see the cost of this canal growing in terms of human misery. You're wrong as

it happens.

There'll be evictions when we do start, I don't deny it, but we're not buying

land at Latchford or anywhere.

It's too soon.

We shan't be buying land for years.

Mere coincidence.

Who else would be remotely interested in Latchford? I don't know!

And

thine

help shall spring forth speedily.

righteousness shall go before thee, and the glory of the Lord shall be thy name.

Thou shalt call, and the Lord shall answer.

Thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.

Now take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger.

To the hungry.

Satisfy the afflicted.

Amen.

Show my life rises.

Staring at that won't bring Lagos any nearer, sir.

Four days out and that's too far.

How many of the crows sick?

Three. Up to now.

You think there'll be more, do you?

Well, the last fresh water barrel was fouled this morning, sir.

a watered garden. They're done.

I suppose you want to put into the coast for some more fresh.

With your permission, sir.

More time lost?

Well, that's better than losing some of the crew's sick permanent life. All

right, go on.

Thank you for coming so promptly.

Your letter was too intriguing for me not to, Daniel.

Something's occurred that troubles me.

To do with the canal?

That's what it touches on, that.

I have a suspicion that someone is trying to cheat the company.

Good God.

I haven't spoken to anyone else.

I think you might be able to help me. No, thank you. You suspect one of your

partners? Yes.

Of what?

A while ago, quite by accident, I discovered that land was being bought

Latchford, where we were proposing to build the first locks, you may remember.

Ah, yes.

Well, that struck me as something of a coincidence.

Until it occurred to me that somebody who knew our plans would be in a very

position to buy land now, ahead of us, in order to sell it to the company in a

few years for a considerable profit.

You're absolutely right.

Have you any proof?

Well, I thought it worth a visit to Latford.

And for a small consideration, I was able to obtain the name of the company

bought the land.

But that didn't tell me much. It was obviously just a holding company.

And then I investigated further.

And last week, I learned who was behind that company.

How very diligent of you, Daniel.

Yes.

Yes, you've gone to a lot of trouble to hide your involvement.

Well, I must say, I thought I was safe enough.

Thank you.

It would have taken me months to discover who owned that company, but it

be you. I merely wanted you to confirm it.

This is a private conversation.

I should deny it in court? We're not going into a court of law, Norman.

Simply a question of whose word Anderson and Bradley will believe, yours or

mine. I'll sue you for slander. You wouldn't dare.

I'll prove you own that company if I have to.

Dammit, you won't stand to make a fortune out of that canal. You could

shares if you'd been prepared to put money in.

Could have been kept discreet.

Now then, unless you agree to sell us all the land you bought at exactly the

same price you paid for it, I'll make damn sure we change the route entirely.

And I'll make your name smell like a fish dock at dawn.

Don't threaten me, Fogarty. I can ruin you, fair means or foul.

I'm a rich man, Norman. I could afford to make it my business to do so.

Perhaps they're coming to help her.

What do you think?

You just never lose.

Well, I think I'll break out some arms.

You get the crew back.

Come on. Aye, aye, sir.

Good!

Boat crew, ahoy!

You get blown up.

Stand by to up anchor.

Stand by to hoist possum.

What are you doing?

You can't do that. They're all those creatures.

They're armed, sir. They are here to kill us.

GO BLOW!

What the hell?

Whoa!

You lost me in my ship.

Stupid, canting woman.

Oh, God's creatures.

You don't know anything about anything.

My uncle had taught you a thing or two.

Murdering, thieving, pirate.

Oh, God's creatures.

Mr. Simmons?

Sir Daniel?

My wife tells me that you're looking for a benefactor for your new orphanage.

Yes, sir.

She urges me to accommodate you.

Your wife is a very generous, very beautiful woman, sir.

I know.

Elizabeth?

Mr. Simmons?

Don't fool Arden, if you ask me.

She might have been killed, sir.

Then it wouldn't have been her own fault as much as anybody else's.

When we get back, there'll be something for you.

I'm up to give you a daughter of yours, a newer, new start.

Thank you, sir.

Meantime, I want some work out of you. Don't want that arm used as an excuse

idleness. Oh, no, sir.

Well, go on, then.

Yes, sir.

The waterboat's coming alongside, sir.

Is he a reverend?

It's not people's souls that need slaking.

It's their part's throne, sir.

With the holy, thou shalt be holy.

And with a perfect man, thou shalt be perfect.

All right, carry on, Baines. All right.