of Furness Withy, George Swaine presented Terry Lister, Minister of Development and Opportunities episode 12 of the TV series "The Great Liners''.

The video covers the Furness Withy Shipping lines throughout their history and examines the industry as it relates to the great Bermuda liners such as the Monarch of Bermuda and Queen of Bermuda .

Nicknamed the "Millionaire Run'', these ships were able to rival the more famous North Atlantic vessels.

The project, pioneered by Desmond Cox, took some three years to complete and utilised amateur and archival film footage from around the world. Each had been digitally remastered on computer.

Mr. Swaine, who served as an officer on the Queen of Bermuda more than 37 years ago, said: "I've never forgotten Bermuda and the role it played in the fortunes of Furness Withy, and vice versa.'' Founded by Frederick Lewis in 1920 as the Bermuda West Indies Shipping Company -- and later the Furness Bermuda Liners -- the Furness was instrumental in putting Bermuda on the map,'' he said.

"They built hotels here such as the Castle Harbour and the Mid-Ocean and were part of the colony's life for over forty-six years.'' he said.

"I'm very pleased to see that the Island is still flourishing, still as beautiful as ever.'' Mr. Lister warmly accepted the video, saying "We are very appreciative of receiving it,'' he said. "This will help us to record our history. It helps us from a cultural point of view, it helps us from a tourist point of view.

And undoubtedly this video will find its way into the school system.

"There continues to be a concern over what the tourism is doing, but let me assure you it is going up.'' Archivist Sylvie Gervais presented Mr. Swaine with reproductions of the watercolours by Thomas Driver of HM Dockyard, Flatts Village and St. George's, originally painted in 1823.

Tourism gem: George Swaine, former managing director of Furness Withy (centre) presents Terry Lister, Minister of Development Opportunities and Government Services (left) with Episode 12 of the videotape from the series "The Great Liners'' with Sylvie Gervais of the Bermuda Government Archives in attendance (right).

SHIPPING SHI LIBRARY LIB