![[Weardale Steam Shipping Co. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfwea.gif)
image by Ivan
Sache, 9 April 2008
Last modified: 2021-05-29 by rob raeside
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image by Ivan
Sache, 9 April 2008
Lloyds Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912)
shows the house flag of "Weardale Steam Shipping Co., Ltd." (#217, p. 47), a
company based in Sunderland, as white with two red rings surrounding a blue
cross.
Weardale is a valley located in County Durham, once famous for
lead mining. The Weardale Lead Mining Company existed until 1931. Whether it was
linked to the Weardale Steam Shipping Co. is unknown to me.
Ivan Sache, 9 April 2008
![[Wear Steam Fishing Co., Ltd. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfwem.gif)
image by Ivan
Sache, 24 April 2021
In partnership with Sanderson and Wayman James Hall (1861-1944) formed the
Wear Steam Fishing Co. Limited in 1898 and by the summer of 1899 the company had
three new steam trawlers fishing from Sunderland.
https://www.durhamatwar.org.uk/story/13170/
Durham at War
Lloyd's
Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Wear Steam
Fishing Co., Ltd. (#475, p. 59), as horizontally divided black-white-black.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#24
Ivan
Sache, 24 April 2021
![[Webster & Barraclough houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfw&b.gif)
image by Ivan Sache,
28 April 2021
The West Hartlepool Steam Navigation Company (WHSNC), was founded in 1856 by
Ralph Ward Jackson through the West Hartlepool Harbour & Railway Company. The
company was primarily engaged in the North-East coal trade, but also operated a
twice weekly service to Hamburg, and a fortnightly service to St. Petersburg.
In 1862, a power struggle between “Railway King” George Hudson and Ralph Ward
Jackson, effectively resulted in the company being taken over by local
shipbuilders Pile, Spence & Co.
When they went bankrupt in 1866, the WHSNC
was taken over by Christopher Maling Webster (of Pallion Hall, Sunderland), with
Management of the fleet being given to his son-in-law, Captain W.J. Young, who
subsequently became a partner. When Captain Young died in 1886, Thomas
Barraclough (1847-1916) became the company's Manager. Christopher Webster died
in 1893, and was succeeded by his son Ernest Alfred (1855-1924).
In 1895,
the partners began to register ships in their own name, the first being the "Wolviston"
(completed in November, 1895), followed by the "Panther" in 1896, although at
this time they were still part of the WHSNC fleet. In 1899, the Company merged
with that of J.E. Guthe under the amended name of West Hartlepool Steam
Navigation Company Limited, (though still referred to as the WHSNC), with Sir
Christopher Furness as Chairman, and J.E. Guthe as Managing Director.
Ernest
Webster and Thomas Barraclough now formed their own company as Webster &
Barraclough.
Just prior to this merger, the WHSNC had placed an order with
Ropners at Stockton, for a trunk-deck steamer, the "Barton", which was then
transferred to Webster & Barraclough. Three other steamers were also transferred
in 1899, the "Burdon", "Maling" and "Webster".
Over the next five years, a
further four ships were added to the fleet, the "Alston", "Dalton", "Clifton"
and "Euston".
The company’s ships continued world-wide tramping until the
outbreak of the First World War, by which time Thomas Barraclough’s health was
giving cause for concern. Around 1915 he moved to Harrogate, for this reason,
but died on May 27th, 1916, aged 68. In addition to being the leading partner in
Webster & Barraclough, he was a Director of the Prince of Wales Drydock Co.,
Swansea, a former Chairman of the local Port & Harbour Commissioners, and a
member of the Pilotage Board.
Unfortunately, his sons were not ready take
over from their father, and as Mr. Webster had left the running of the company
to Thomas Barraclough, the company was left in a difficult position. In 1917 the
"Alston", "Clifton" and "Barton" were sold to Watts, Watts & Co., of London,
while the "Dalton" was a war casualty when she was torpedoed and sunk in the
Mediterranean.
The company’s last ship, the "Barton", was sold to Watts,
Watts & Co. in 1918, bringing an end to nineteen years of ship-owning.
https://www.hhtandn.org/venues/3808/webster-and-barraclough
Hartlepool
History Then and Now
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows
the house flag of Webster & Barraclough (#979, p. 83) as white with a blue
border and the blue letters "W & B." in the center.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/48/
Ivan
Sache, 28 April 2021
![[Andrew Weir & Co. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfawe.gif)
image by Ivan
Sache, 30 April 2021
Andrew Weir entered the shipowning business in 1885 in Glasgow when he purchased
the barque "Willowbank" and eventually controlled one of the largest fleets of
sailing ships under the British flag. In 1896 the company purchased their first
steamship, but it was 1912 before the last sailing ship was sold. In 1905 the
company was registered as Bank Line and the head office was moved to London,
although the ships continued to be registered in Glasgow.
In 1917 the United
Baltic Corporation was formed with 50% of the shares held by Andrew Weir & Co.
and 50% by East Asiatic Co., Copenhagen. However, this was managed as a separate
company and is the subject of another fleet list.
The tanker trade was
entered in 1920 with the establishment of the British-Mexican Petroleum Co. and
this passed into the control of Andrew Weir & Co. in 1930 and subsequently
became part of the Anglo-American Oil Co. Motorships were built from 1923 for
the service between Rangoon and South Africa with accommodation for 12-1st,
20-2nd and 400-emigrant class passengers. In 1925 a French subsidiary was formed
and named Cie. Venture-Weir S.A, Paris and operated services between Antwerp,
Dunkirk, Havre, Bordeaux and West African ports. However, by 1928 this company
returned to the oil distribution trade. In 1925 the Lago Shipping Co. was
established to ship crude oil from Lake Maracaibo to the refineries at Aruba,
but control of this company passed to F. J. Wolfe in 1936. The service between
Calcutta, Rangoon, Colombo and South Africa was taken over from Bullard, King &
Co. in 1933 and became known as the India Natal Line. Ships on this service had
accommodation for 50-1st, 20-2nd and facilities for 500 native passengers. In
1935 MacAndrews & Co. were taken over by United Baltic Corporation, which
allowed access to the Spanish trade. Many of the company's ships were lost in
WWII but were rapidly replaced after the war and the company continued to
expand.
https://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/bank.shtml
The Ships Lists
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of
Andrew Weir & Co. (#1390, p. 103), as diagonally divided red-blue from the lower
hoist to upper fly, charged with a white diagonal stripe running from the upper
hoist of the lower fly.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#68
Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021
See also:
![[Well Line, Ltd. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hft&b.gif)
image by Ivan
Sache, 28 April 2021
The Tyzack and Branfoot Steam Shipping Company's Well Line of Newcastle upon
Tyne, England operated from 1894 to 1928. During World War I, it contributed to
the British Empire's merchant marine, and lost the 5600-ton cargo ship SS
Springwell to a German submarine when it was torpedoed near Greece in February
1916. Fortunately, all the crew survived and made it back to land.
https://www.deviantart.com/rlkitterman/art/Tyzack-Branfoot-Well-Line-SS-Springwell-670654061
Deviant Art
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the
house flag of the Well Line, Ltd. (Tyzack & Branfoot) (#866, p. 78) as blue with
the white letters "T & B".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/43/
Ivan
Sache, 28 April 2021
![[J.H. Welsford & Co. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~welsf.gif)
image
by Ivan Sache, 22 April 2021
Source: Brown's Flags and Funnels [Wedge 1926]
J.H. Welsford & Company, Limited, Liverpool - white flag - red Maltese Cross.
Jarig Bakker, 31 January 2005
The Union Steamship Company of British Columbia was originally formed in
Vancouver on July 1, 1899 by Captain William Webster and John Darling, a former
director and General Superintendent of the Union Steamship Company of New
Zealand. After raising enough capital, the Union company was officially
incorporated on November 16, 1899, when it absorbed the Burrard Inlet Towing
Company of Vancouver. Initially, the company's primary function was to deliver
cargo to remote communities along the British Columbia's coastline.
In 1911,
the J.H. Welsford and Company, a cargo line based out of Liverpool, England,
purchased controlling interests in the Union company. Under this new management,
the Union company entered the day excursion and resort business by offering
passenger services and then building and operating several company-owned resorts
on Bowen Island, the Sechelt Peninsula and at Whytecliff.
https://www.vmmcollections.com/Detail/collections/158
Vancouver Maritime
Museum
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the same
house flag for J.H. Welsford & Co., Ltd. (Gulf Transport Line and Leyland
Shipping Co., Ltd.) (#211, p. 47).
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#12
Ivan Sache, 22 April 2021
![[Welsh Trawling Co., Ltd. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfwtc.gif)
image by Ivan
Sache, 1 May 2021
George Hogarth Douglas Birt (1862-1951) appears to have managed several fishing
companies in Milford Haven, all of them using a red flag with a white cross and
distinctive white letters in the quarters.
On 3 October 1895, Birt applied
(No. 189518499) for the patent of "Improvements in Boards or Spreaders used in
connection with Trawling Nets"; this was published on 11 January 1896.
The "Haverfordwest & Milford Haven Telegraph", 1 March 1905, reports:
The
steam trawler "Gwalia", belonging to the recently formed Welsh Steam Trawling
Co. (Manager, Mr. G. H. D. Birt), made her first appearance at the market on
Thursday morning, her maiden voyage realising over £200.
The "Haverfordwest
& Milford Haven Telegraph", 14 November 1906, reports:
The fleet of
trawlers belonging to Mr. G. H. D. Birt was further augmented on Monday by the
arrival of the S.S. "Persia" (Captain J. H. Dove). The vessel is of the same
class as the "India", which arrived a fortnight ago. The initial trip realised
£140. Next week the sister ship "Arabia" is expected, and this line of vessels
will be brought up to six, in addition to the Phoenix and Welsh Trawling Co.
ships also under the management of Mr. G. H. Birt.
Lloyd's Book of House
Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Welsh Trawling Co., Ltd.
(#1617, p. 113), a Milford Haven-based fishing company, as red with a white
cross, in the respective quarters the white letters "W", "T", "C" and "L".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#78
Ivan Sache, 1 May 2021
![[West Coast Steam Fishing Co., Ltd. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfwcs.gif)
image by Ivan
Sache, 4 May 2021
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of West
Coast Steam Fishing Co., Ltd. (#1882, p. 126), a Grimsby-based fishing company,
as white with a blue border, charged in the center, with a red lozenge
inscribing a green "W".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#91
Ivan Sache, 4 May 2021
![[Westcott and Lawrence Line Ltd. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~wlll.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 Westcott and Lawrence Line Ltd.,
London. A blue rectangular flag with the yellow initials 'W & L' (Westcott and
Lawrence) and a blue pennant above bearing the white initials 'JRE' (Ellerman
lines). The pennant and flag are made of a wool and synthetic fibre bunting.
They have cotton hoists and are machine sewn. The Ellerman's initials are
printed. The pennant and flag are on a single rope with a toggle attached."
Jarig Bakker, 3 September 2004
The Westcott and Laurence Line was founded in London in 1864 as Westcott and
Houseden by a former captain of the Greek & Oriental Shipping Line, W.G.
Westcott, and Robert Houseden. In 1867, their first steamer, the Harriet Agnes,
was launched. Westcott and Laurence ran trade routes to various ports in the
Mediterranean Sea, as well as ports in the Black Sea and the River Danube. In
1901 the company was acquired by Ellerman Lines, Ltd. of Glasgow. [...]. At this
time of the acquisition the company owned nine ships. During World War I most of
the ships in the Ellerman Group were requisitioned, but the company restored
both its passenger and cargo services after the war. At the beginning of World
War II, the group operated a total of 105 vessels. However during the conflict
it lost a total of 60 ships. Again the company restored its building of cargo
and passenger ships and by 1953 was back up to 94 ships. In 1973 the company was
restructured and a new shipping division called Ellerman City Lines took over
the operation of the Westcott and Laurence Line, as well as many other lines of
the Ellerman Group. Finally, in 1987, control of the Ellerman Group was handed
to Cunard, which is still in operation today.
http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/406.html
Lloyd's
Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the same house flag (#1495, p.
108).
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#73
Ivan Sache, 1 May 2021
![[Western Ferries (Clyde) Ltd. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~wfc.gif)
by
Jarig Bakker,
based on the website of the National
Maritime Museum.
From the website of the National
Maritime Museum, the house flag of Western Ferries (Clyde) Ltd., Glasgow. A
blue rectangular flag with a white disc in the centre. The disc bears a red logo
on two arrows pointing in opposite directions attached to a circle. The flag is
made of a wool and synthetic fibre bunting. It has a cotton hoist and is machine
sewn. The central motif is made of polyester cotton fabric. A rope and toggle is
attached."
Jarig Bakker, 3 September 2004
![[Western Steam Trawling Co., Ltd. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfwst.gif)
image by Ivan Sache, 4 May 2021
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Western
Steam Trawling Co., Ltd. (#1822, p. 123), a Milford Haven-based fishing company,
as blue with a white disk charged with a smaller, concentric red disc.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#88
Ivan Sache, 4 May 2021
![[West Hartlepool Steam Nav. Co., Ltd. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfwhs.gif)
image by Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021
The West Hartlepool Steam Navigation Company (WHSNC), was founded in 1856 by
Ralph Ward Jackson and Robinson Watson and was controlled by the West Hartlepool
Harbour & Railway Company. The company was primarily engaged in the North-East
coal trade, but also operated a twice weekly service to Hamburg, and a
fortnightly service to St. Petersburg.
In 1862, a power struggle between
“Railway King” George Hudson and Ralph Ward Jackson, effectively resulted in the
company being taken over by local shipbuilders Pile, Spence & Co.
When they
went bankrupt in 1866, the WHSNC was taken over by Christopher Maling Webster
(of Pallion Hall, Sunderland), with Management of the fleet being given to his
son-in-law, Captain W.J. Young, who subsequently became a partner. When Captain
Young died in 1886, Thomas Barraclough became the company's Manager. Christopher
Webster died in 1893, and was succeeded by his son Ernest Alfred.
In
1899, the Company merged with that of J.E. Guthe under the amended name of West
Hartlepool Steam Navigation Company Limited, (though still referred to as the
WHSNC), with Sir Christopher Furness as Chairman, and J.E. Guthe as Managing
Director.
Ernest Webster and Thomas Barraclough now formed their own company
as Webster & Barraclough.
Over subsequent years, the WHSNC owned or managed
more than a hundred different vessels, and although still in existence today,
the Company no longer operates ships.
Hartlepool History Then & Now
http://www.hhtandn.org/venues/475/west-hartlepool-steam-navigation-company
In 1906 Mr. J.E. Guthe Jnr. joined the Board of Directors and the
Dinsdalehall Steam Ship Company Limited was formed. The various tramp steamers
were regularly employed in the coal trade to the Danube and Black Sea ports
bringing back grain to the UK. At the outbreak of WW1, the company steamer
Federation was in Hamburg but managed to avoid internment by leaving port in
total darkness.
In 1914 the Wiltonhall Steam Ship Company Limited was formed
and Boltonhall, which is included in the Allen Collection, was owned by this
company. With the loss of services to Hamburg and Gothenburg, the ships serving
these routes were sold. J.E. Guthe died in 1916. He had brought his three sons
into the company. One of these was killed in action and another died shortly
after his father leaving his remaining son Mr. J.E. Guthe.
In the early 1920s
the company acquired some second-hand ships and took delivery of Grantleyhall in
1927. Despite the recession of the 1930s five more ships were ordered and built.
There were a number of losses in WW2 and the company provided accommodation
for the Dutch firm Vinke and Company of Amsterdam until Holland was liberated.
In 1947 the company ventured into the fishing industry and had several deep-sea
trawlers. In 1975 J.E. Guthe died and was succeeded by his son Digby Guthe. In
its latter years the company operated ships suitable for time charter to liner
companies.
A check of Companies House shows the company to be dormant with
the last documents filed in 2018.
Benjidog Historical Research Resources:
The Allen Collection
https://www.benjidog.co.uk/allen/West%20Hartlepool%20Line.html
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of West
Hartlepool Steam Nav. Co., Ltd. (#1444, p. 105), as red, charged in the center
with a yellow cross with three-pointed ending arms.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#70
Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021
![[West India & Pacific Line houseflag]](../images/g/gb~wipl.gif)
image
by António Martins-Tuválkin, 17 May 2010
From a postcard collection: 12.3.4: West India
& Pacific Line
Postcard #12, 3rd row, 4th flag of the
collection reads "West India & Pacific Line"
and shows a ~2:3 plain red flag.
António Martins-Tuválkin, 17 May
2010
![[Westminster Shipping Co., Ltd. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfwes.gif)
imagwese by Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of
Westminster Shipping Co., Ltd. (#1409, p. 104), as white with a red horse
galloping over a white scroll with red text.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#69
Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021
![[James Westoll houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfjwe.gif)
image by Ivan
Sache, 4 May 2021
James Westoll Line, of Sunderland, then owned by three families, the Westoll's,
the Adamson's & the Short's, with James Westoll being the managing owner.
Specialised in coal freighting on the E. coast of the U.K. and also in the Black
Sea grain trade.
Wreck Site
http://www.wrecksite.eu/ownerbuilderview.aspx?6611
The line was
founded in 1869 by James Westoll (1829-1895). Their steamers were once famous,
being nicknamed "Swans of the Orient" or "Black Sea yachts". Many master
mariners were also company's shareholders and became men of affluence; it was
often said in Sunderland that Westoll skippers bought a street of homes at the
end of every voyage.
The company never recovered from the First World War,
having lost 20 ships. The Westwick Stamship Co., formed in 1916 under Westoll
management, controlled the last of the ships. The very last one, the "Veburn"
(1929), was taken by the Vedra Shipping Co., Ltd., formed out James Westoll Co.;
the ship was sold in 1959 as "Eldra" to a Greek shipowner.
The Sunderland
Site
http://www.searlecanada.org/sunderland/sunderland161.html
Lloyd's
Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of James Westoll
(#1797, p. 122) as white with a blue "W" in the center and a blue anchor placed
per bend in canton.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#87
Ivan Sache, 4 May 2021
![[John H. Wetherall & Co. houseflag]](../images/g/gb~hfjhw.gif)
image by
Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021
Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of John H.
Wetherall & Co. (#1243, p. 96), a Goole-based company, as blue with a thin white
saltire charged in the center with a white rectangle inscribing a red "W".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#61
Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021
