Liverpool, the loser, retaliated by charging enormous dock dues on Manchester's cotton imports, so Manchester built a ship canal to by-pass Liverpool.

ECONOMIST: Love in a cold climate

Instead, they pass the order along electronically to manufacturers or distributors who then ship the goods from their own warehouses direct to the buyer.

ECONOMIST: Internet shopping

And they make sure and they tell you that if anything was to happen that you are going to scan your sea pass and we're going to know who got off the ship and who's still on the ship so they know who to look for.

MSN: What you sign away when you book a cruise

The uniform of the auxiliary looks very similar to that of a navy officer and will pass as such to all but the trained eye so walking up the gangway of a ship, in uniform and willing to help, is an excellent way to get a free ride out of town.

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