![[Beckingham & Co. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfbec.gif)
image by Ivan
Sache, 26 April 2021
Last modified: 2021-05-29 by rob raeside
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image by Ivan
Sache, 26 April 2021
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of
Beckingham & Co. (#720, p. 71), a Newcastle-based company, as red with a white
lozenge inscribing a black "B".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/36/
Ivan
Sache, 26 April 2021
![[W.H. Beeley houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfwhb.gif)
image by Ivan Sache,
28 April 2021
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of W.H.
Beeley (#1040, p. 86), a Grimsby-based company, as horizontally divided
blue-red-blue.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/51/
Ivan
Sache, 28 April 2021
![[Belfast, Mersey & Manchester S.S. Co. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~belme.gif)
image
by James Dignan
Based on Sampson (1957)
James Dignan, 11 October 2003
This company was a subsidiary of Coast Lines.
Phil Nelson, 11 October 2003
![[Belfast, Mersey & Manchester S.S. Co. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~b465.gif)
image
by Rob Raeside
Belfast, Mersey & Manchester S.S. Co. Sources disagree over whether the letters
were blue or black, or the red shown here. Originated as the Belfast & Mersey
Steamship Co. with a similar flag bearing a larger white diamond and the blue
letters "B+M" over "S.S.Co."
Neale Rosanoski, 9 February 2004
![[Belfast, Mersey & Manchester S.S. Co. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~bmm.gif)
image
by Jarig Bakker,
based on the website of the National
Maritime Museum.
From the website of the National
Maritime Museum, "the house flag of the Belfast Mersey and Manchester
Steam Ship Co. Ltd, Belfast. A red rectangular flag with a white diamond in the
centre and black letters 'BMM'. The flag is made of a wool and synthetic fibre
bunting. It has a cotton hoist and is machine sewn. A rope and toggle is
attached.
The company traded under the name of Belfast Mersey and Manchester Steam Ship
Co. Ltd from 1929, specializing in carrying cargo, particularly cattle between
Belfast and Liverpool. The company was taken over by Coast Lines in 1945 from
its managing owners Samuel Lawther & Sons of Belfast and John J. Mack & Sons
Ltd, Liverpool. Its fleet merged with that of the Belfast Steamship Co. in 1960,
its vessels retaining their former owner's house flag and funnel colours until
the last was withdrawn from service in 1969. The company is now part of
P&O."
Jarig Bakker, 4 August 2004
![[James Bell & Co. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfjbe.gif)
image by Ivan
Sache, 26 April 2021
From Volume 2 of British Ocean Tramps by J. N. Thomas
James Bell moved
from Hartlepool to Hull in 1900. In 1912 he acquired a fleet of steamers that
traded to the Baltic and also became the owner of a fleet of sailing ships
engaged in the West Indies trade.
In 1920 there were 6 vessels all trading to
the east, Sourabaya, Melbourne, Rangoon and Geelong.
Companies managed were
James Bell and Co., Anglo-European S.S. Co Ltd., The Bell Line Ltd., Hereford
Shipping Co. Ltd., Keighley Shipping Co. Ltd., Peterborough Shipping Co. Ltd.,
Bellview Shipping Co. Ltd., Dover Shipping Co. Ltd., Halifax Shipping Co. Ltd.
and Keighley Shipping Co (1929) Ltd.
The fleet was disbanded in 1933.
https://www.shipsnostalgia.com/threads/sir-james-bell-of-hull.32202/
Ships Nostalgia, 14 February 2010
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels
(1912) shows the house flag of James Bell & Co. (#721, p. 71) as blue with a
yellow bell.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/36/
Ivan
Sache, 26 April 2021
![[Bellamy & Co. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~bella.gif)
image by Ivan
Sache, 24 April 2021
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of
Bellamy & Co. (#415, p. 56), a Plymouth-based company, as white with a red cross
superimposed by a red rectangle framing a yellow saltire cantonned by four black
devices.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#21
Ivan Sache, 24 April 2021
![[Bell Brothers & Co. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfbeb.gif)
image by Ivan
Sache, 30 April 2021
Sir James Bell was born in Glasgow, 16th January, 1850, and received his
education at Glasgow High School and Glasgow Academy. He is a partner in the
firm of Bell Brothers & McLelland, steamship owners. In 1888, when acute public
interest was aroused in the affairs of the Clyde Trust, he stood as one of the
ratepayers' candidates for that body, and was returned at the top of the poll.
Two years later he entered the Town Council unopposed, as member for the old
eighth ward, and in 1892 was unanimously chosen to succeed Sir John Muir, Bart.,
as Lord Provost. He held office for the unusual period of four years, and had
the unique experience of being twice unanimously chosen Lord Provost. The second
occasion was in 1895, when, in consequence of the extension of the city
boundaries, and the rearrangement of Glasgow into twenty-five wards, a new
election of the entire Council was appointed to take place in 1896. In the
circumstances Sir James was induced to retain office for the intervening year.
A skilful yachtsman, Rear-Commodore and Vice-Commodore of the Royal Clyde
Yacht Club, he was chairman in 1887 of the syndicate which built the famous
"Thistle", now the German Emperor's "Meteor", which competed unsuccessfully with
General Pain's "Volunteer" for the America Cup. He also in the successive
offices of Honorary Secretary, Chairman, Vice-President and President of the
Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine arts, from 1887 to 1898, did great service
not only to the Institute itself, but to the cause of art in Glasgow. in 1S96,
when the unfortunate strike of the Belfast and Clyde engineers had lasted for
fifteen and twelve weeks respectively, it was brought to an end by the mediation
of Sir James Bell and Lord James of Hereford.
http://www.glasgowwestaddress.co.uk/1909_Glasgow_Men/Bell_Sir_James.htm
Index of Glasgow Men (1909)
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels
(1912) shows the house flag of Bell Brothers & Co. (#1286, p. 98) as
horizontally divided blue-white-blue with a blue "B" in the center.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#63
Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021
![[Belle Steamers houseflag]](../images/g/gb~bels.gif)
image by Eugene
Ipavec, 13 March 2009
The Belle Steamers – all of them paddle steamers – were operated by the
‘London, Woolwich & Clacton-on-Sea Steamship Co.’ from 1888 on. This firm
expanded during the following years despite serious competition on the passenger
routes linking London and various harbours in South England. By the end of the
century it had become the number one in that area. For one year – 1896 – the
company was actually called ‘Belle Steamers Ltd’ but this well-known commercial
name officially disappeared in 1897 upon the merger with the firms operating the
piers at Clacton and Walton and others to form the ‘Coast Development Co.’ Pier
access for berthing and fast ships proved major assets in competing with the
General Steam Navigation Co. In 1905 the Co. became a Corporation and almost
ousted General Steam in the area but other (land) modes of transport were
expanding. Growing losses plus the outbreak of war in 1914 led to the firm’s
winding up in 1915. The paddle steamers, operated by various companies (one of
them named ‘Belle Steamers Ltd’), would continue to sail for many years.
Sources:
http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/BelleSteamers.html
http://www.southwoldmuseum.org/Transport%20popups/Steamers_popup.htm
The first link to the relevant Simplon Postcards page leads to a number of
period illustrations a number of which shows the house flag, a pennant really:
vertically divided red-white-red with initials ‘BS’ counterchanged: white ‘B’ in
the red hoist stripe and red ‘S’ in the central white stripe. Direct link to
black and white photo of ‘Southend Belle’ showing house flag beneath name
pennant (onomast):
http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/BelleSteamers/SouthendBelle-10_900.jpg, giving
the impression that the pennant was longer – in relation to its height – than
suggested by the coloured drawings.
Sources:
http://website.lineone.net/~tom_lee/belle1913.htm
http://library.mysticseaport.org/initiative/Impage.cfm?PageNum=60&bibid=11061&ChapterId=8
(found in the on-line 1912 Lloyds Flags & Funnels)
Jan Mertens, 11
March 2009
![[Berwindmoor Steamship Co., Ltd. & Berwindwale Steamshop Co., Ltd. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfbwd.gif)
image by Ivan
Sache, 1 May 2021
The Berwindmoor Steamship Co. wound up voluntarily on 10 August 1936 (The
London Gazette, 14 August 1936). The Berwindvale Steamship Co. was liquidated on
10 December 1924 (The London Gazette, 7 November 1924).
Lloyd's Book of
House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Berwindmoor Steamship
Co., Ltd. and Berwindvale Steamship Co., Ltd. (#1503, p. 108), two
Liverpool-based shipping companies, as white with a red border, in the center, a
blue disk.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#73
Ivan Sache, 1 May 2021
![[Berwindmoor Steamship Co., Ltd. & Berwindwale Steamshop Co., Ltd. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfbw1.gif)
image by Ivan
Sache, 1 May 2021
A similar flag is shown, with a thinner border, on a card portraying SS "Berwindlea",
dated 1933 (card manufactured by Jasmatzi in 1933. Size approximately 1 3/8 x 2
3/8 inches. Text in German). The "Berwindlea" was built in 1929 by the
Blythswood Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Scotstoun, Glasgow; she was probably the
world’s first ship to use pulverised fuel. The pulverising equipment comprised
"two Resolutor pulverizers, Wodeson's patent burners and ringmain distribution".
The full equipment "worked quite satisfactory" during the ship's first voyage
from Glasgow to Marseilles, 14-22 August 1929 (The Montreal Gazette, 15 November
1929). The "Berwindlea" wrecked on 23 October 1935 on Dead Man's Rock in the
Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada.
Ivan
Sache, 1 May 2021
![[Ben Line houseflag]](../images/g/gb~ben.gif)
image
by Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021,
based on the website of the National
Maritime Museum.
From the website of the National
Maritime Museum, "the house flag of Ben Line, Edinburgh. A white rectangular
flag with broad red border and a blue anchor in the centre. The flag is made of
a wool and synthetic fibre bunting. It has a cotton hoist and is machine sewn. A
rope and toggle is attached.
The company was founded in 1825 by two brothers Alexander and William Thomson
who set up as shipbrokers in Leith. Their family had a background in the
building trade and marble importation. With a declining demand for marble,
Thomsons' ships exported coal to Canada and imported timber. From the 1850s the
company began to explore routes to the Far East. The company took delivery of
their first steamer in 1871 shortly after the opening of the Suez Canal. From
the 1860s, the trade in Canadian timber trade ceased to be economical and was
replaced by a steamer trade to the Baltic; this side of the business continued
until 1927.
In 1919 Ben Line Steamers Ltd was formed, ending 'one ship accounting'. In 1972
Ben Line Ship Management Ltd was formed with Galbraith Wrightson Ltd as part of
a diversification programme. During the 1970s the company also became involved
in oil drilling, containerisation and chemical transport. In 1991, it combined
with East Asiatic Co., Copenhagen, to run a weekly service to the Far East. The
firm's role as a ship owner ended the following year when they sold all their
remaining ships."
Jarig Bakker, 5 August 2004
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the same house flag (#1225,
p. 95) for Thomson & Co. (Ben Line).
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#60
Ivan Sache,
30 April 2021
![[Belfast Steamship Co. Ltd houseflag]](../images/g/gb~blfst.gif)
image
by Ivan Sache, 14 March 2004Belfast Steamship Co. Ltd. Formed in 1851 and
for a long time under the control of Coast Line Ltd., the fleet ended up being
absorbed as part of P&O Ferries Ltd. Griffin 1895 reverses the colours i.e. a
red circle on a white pennant but this would appear to be simply an error as
nobody else, before or after, suggests that such a flag ever existed.
Neale Rosanoski, 9 February 2004
![[Belfast Steamship Co. Ltd houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfbel.gif)
image
by Ivan Sache, 3 May 2021
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the same flag (#1662, p.
116), but more elongated and with a smaller disk.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#81
Ivan Sache,
3 May 2021
![[J.H. Bennets houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfjhb.gif)
image by Ivan
Sache, 28 April 2021
JH Bennetts, Colliery Agent, Ship Owners and Broker, Albert Street, Penzance.
Besides having been a town Councillor for several years, he was also a Guardian
of the Poor for the Madron Union. “He is a large importer of coal from
Lancashire and other parts, being sole agent for the well known Ellerbeck
Collieries. When Mr Bennetts commenced his business 14 years ago, the whole of
the coal was brought into Penzance by sailing vessels. His two steamships, "Ormerod"
and "Vril" 440 tons, illustrates the new order of things, under which contracts
can be more advantageously made and more promptly carried out.
https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~treevecwll/family/jhb.htm
The Acorn
Archive, Hearts of Oak
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912)
shows the house flag of J.H. Bennets (#1053, p. 87) as swallow-tailed, red with
the white letters "JB".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/52/
Ivan Sache, 28 April 2021
![[Alan C. Bennett & Partners houseflag]](../images/g/gb~acb.gif)
image by Jarig
Bakker, 28 November 2005
Alan C. Bennett & Partners, Rochester - horizontal black-white-blue flag, with
on black at the hoist yellow "ACB".
Source: Loughran (1995)
Jarig Bakker, 28 November 2005
![[Bennett S.S. Co. Ltd. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~bennt.gif)
image
by Ivan Sache, 25 April 2021
The Yorkshireman John B. Bennett of Goole owned the Bennett S.S. Co. Ltd. It
had been founded by his father, John Bennett, in 1873. In 1931 Bennett was
ordered by the Army Council to cease using its markings. There then began a
battle, which lasted almost as long as the company owned ships. Bennett pointed
out that his father's use of the markings has long antedated the Act which
forbade them. He argued the injustice of forcing him to abandon a symbol which
has been in use for over 50 years, with the exception of the war period. For a
further four and a half years, he countered every argument and finally, when it
seemed that the War Office was poised to crack this tiny shipping company, he
had the field of flag and funnel band colored to a very pale buff. Bennett
considered himself undefeated, for the shade was virtually indistinguishable
from white at any distance. Yet it fulfilled the requirements to the letter.
Sadly, his shipping company was wiped out by war losses. After the war, a
service under the name of the Bennett S.S. Co., was operated from Goole by the
General S.N. Co., and as late as the 1960s the red cross could occasionally be
seen.
Jarig Bakker
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the same house flag
(#505, p. 61)
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#26
Ivan Sache, 25 April 2021
![[T.G. Best houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hftgb.gif)
image by Ivan
Sache, 30 April 2021
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of T.G.
Best (#1366, p. 102), as diagonally divided from lower hoist to upper fly
red-white-blue, the stripes charged respectively with a white "T", a red "G" and
a white "B".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#67
Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021
![[H. Bernstein houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfhbe.gif)
image by Ivan
Sache, 27 April 2021
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of H.
Bernstein (#788, p. 74), a Grimsby-based company, as white with a gray monogram
of the Prince of Wales feathers.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/39/
Ivan Sache, 27 April 2021
![[T. Beynon & Co., Ltd. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfbey.gif)
image by Ivan
Sache, 1 May 2021
Thomas Beynon described himself in 1876 as a "shipowner and coal merchant". A
former Mayor of Newport (listed as "re-elected" in 1881), he was succeeded in
shipping business by his son, Sir John Beynon.
Lloyd's Book of House
Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of T. Beynon & Co., Ltd. (#1537,
p. 110), a Cardiff-based shipping company, as red, in the center a red
six-pointed star outlined in white and charged with a white "B.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#75
Ivan Sache, 1 May 2021
British Shipping lines: continued
