Union-Castle Line, famed for its lavender hulled liners that ran on a clockwork timetable between Southampton and South Africa, began as two separate companies: Union Line and Castle Line.

The pre-merger Union Line and Castle Line Era:

1853

Inspired by Arthur Anderson, a founder of P&O, the Union Steamship Co. was the older company founded in 1853 as the Union Steam Collier to carry coal from South Wales to meet the growing demand in Southampton. Orders were placed for 5 ships- "Union", "Briton," "Saxon, "Norman" and the "Dane". It was originally named the Southampton Steam Shipping Company to bring coal to Southampton from South Wales for P&O Line and Royal Mail Line, it was later renamed Union Steam Collier Company and had both major shipping lines represented on the board. The first steamship, the 336-ton "Union" loaded coal in Cardiff in June 1854 but the outbreak of the Crimean War frustrated the carefully made plans. However, after the disruption of the Crimean War, coal stocks at Southampton were high and the five new vessels were laid idle after war use by the British Admiralty. After the war the company briefly tried to break into the Brazilian trade but then, as the reconstituted Union Steamship Co., began chartering out its ships.

1857

The company was re-registered as Union Line in 1857, with Southampton as head office. That same year, the British Admiralty invited tenders for the mail contract to the Cape Colony and Natal. As a result, Union Line was awarded the contract with monthly sailings in each direction of not more than 42 days sailing Plymouth to Cape Town or Simonstown. 12th September - a five year Mail Contract was signed with The Union-Steam Ship Company Ltd.

1857

Union Line's Dane departs Southampton on 15th September to inaugurate the Union-Line's mail service to Cape Town which, together with its Union-Castle successors, would last for 120 years.

1860

The success of the venture soon enabled the Union Line to build its first ship for the South African trade and in October 1860 the 1055-ton "Cambrian" left Southampton on its maiden voyage. The "Cambrian" was powered by both steam and sail and under steam only was capable of 10 knots. She had accommodation for 60 first-class and 40 second-class passengers and her other amenities included a bathroom, a luxury for passengers at sea. Bound for the Cape in September 1871 the "Cambrian" ran out of coal but, under sail, still safely completed the voyage from Southampton in less than 42 days.

1862

By 1863 Donald Currie, a Greenock born Scotsman and a former employee of Cunard, had built up a fleet of four 1200-ton sailing ships with "Castle" names which traded round the Cape on the Liverpool - Calcutta run. This company was known as the Castle Packet Co. and the venture was successful until the Suez Canal opened in 1869. This virtually killed off the Calcutta trade round the Cape. However, Currie, by this time, had acquired an interest in the Leith, Hull and Hamburg Packet Co where his brother was manager. The LH&H Packet Co. chartered two vessels, the "Iceland" and the" Gothland", to the Cape & Natal Steam Navigation Co. However, Cape & Natal Steam Navigation Co. company failed and this, purely by chance, enabled Donald Currie to deploy the three new Castle steamships intended for the Calcutta run on the Cape route. The vessels operated a twice monthly sailing from London with a call at Dartmouth for the mails.

1872

The Castle Packet Company commits to the Cape Route after the collapse of the Cape & Natal Line which had Currie ships on charter to them. Sailing from London, Currie vessels called at Dartmouth before heading south and initially the service was sold under the banner "The Regular London Line", later becoming "The Colonial Mail Line" and ultimately, "The Castle Mail Packet Company Limited".

1873

Union Line signs a new mail contract including a four weekly service up the east coast of Africa from Cape Town to Zanzibar.

1876

The Castle Mail Packet Co. Ltd was formed. Later that year, the Colonial Government awarded a joint mail contract, resulting in a state of intense competition between both firms. The service to the Cape thus became weekly by alternating steamers.

1882

The Union-Line Athenian becomes the first ship to use the new Sir Hercules Robinson graving dock at Cape Town. This was constructed of Paarl granite and was named after the Governor of South Africa. This remained the largest graving dock in Cape Town until eclipsed by the opening of the Sturrock Dock in 1945.

1883

South African Shipping Conference formed to control Europe - South / East Africa freight rates etc. The Conference was dominated by the two mail contract companies - Union Line and Donald Currie's Castle Mail Packet Company. Fierce rivalry between the two mail companies now dominated the route until the merger in 1900 with both Lines introducing larger and faster vessels in unprecedented numbers. A seven year joint mail contract was signed with the clause that the companies shall not amalgamate. In 1887, tickets became interchangeable, and in 1888, the mail contract was renewed for five years (with the non-amalgamation clause remaining).

1887

In May Dunbar Castle sailed from London with the first consignment of railway equipment to link the Eastern Transvaal with Delgoa Bay at what became the Mozambique Capital, Lourenco Marques. The line finally opened in 1894.

1890

Castle Packet's Dunnottar Castle sails from Southampton on her maiden voyage with the British Rugby Team on board for a tour of South Africa. Chairman of the Line - Donald Currie presents the South African Rugby Authority with a handsome gold cup for use in their internal competition - The Currie Cup is born! The new DUNNOTTAR CASTLE reduced the voyage to 17 days and 20 hours, and embarkation was switched from Dartmouth to Southampton. This vessel surpassed everything in both fleets with accommodation for 100 first-class, 90 second-class, 100 third-class and 150 steerage passengers. With a top speed of 15 knots the history of the South African mail service was about to change.

1890

Beira in Mozambique was just wasteland until 1890 when Union Line's Norseman and Tyrian, together with Courland and Venice from The Castle Packet Company began shipping in supplies for transhipment up river to Matebeleland. These materials were used to open up a new Country - Rhodesia - and to make it the once prosperous breadbasket of Africa.

1891

Union Line's famous Scott left Southampton on her maiden voyage reaching Cape Town in 15 1/2 days with a stop at Madeira, a voyage she bettered in March 1893 with a passage of 14 days 18 hours - a record which stood for 43 years. With a clipper-stem and a service speed of 16.5 knots carrying 204 first-class, 205 second-class and about 100 third-class passengers she was magnificent and possibly one of the best looking ships ever built. She broke all records for the Cape run reducing the passage time to 15 days.

Unfortunately, the running costs were huge and after incurring considerable losses over a period of 12 years she was eventually sold to the Hamburg America Line.

In 1891 the Castle Line replaced its Dartmouth call with one at Southampton and the services became more integrated with the consequent reduction of the bitter rivalry, a characteristic of trade in the early days. The Union Line operated 10 steamships and the Castle Mail Packets Co. (renamed in 1881) deployed 11 vessels on the mail run and both companies worked connecting coastal services to Lourenco Marques (Maputu), Beira and Mauritius.

1893

In 1893, both Union and Castle Lines began a joint cargo service from South Africa to New York and the mail contract was re-signed, maintaining the non-amalgamation clause.

1897

Arundel Castle, Norham Castle, Grantully Castle, Pretoria, Asiatic and Moor represented the two mail companies at H.M. Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Review of the Fleet at Spithead.

1899

The Anglo-Boer War breaks out in October. Both Union Line and Castle Packet ships ferry vast numbers of troops and supplies to South Africa. In late 1899, a new mail contract was offered with a vital difference: One company, not two could win the award. Since both companies had built their fleets based on complimentary sailings, neither bid on the contract.

Eventually a joint contract was awarded, but Donald Currie proposed a merger. It was announced in December 1899 that a merger between Union Line and The Castle Mail Packet Co, Ltd. would take place, with Castle Line taking over the fleet.

The livery of the Union vessels was drab black with a white riband around the hull but in 1892 this was changed to a white hull with blue riband and cream-buff coloured funnels. On the other hand, the Castle ships had a lavender-grey hull with black-topped red funnels, a livery which survived until the company's eventual demise some 80 odd years later. It was the Castle livery that was adopted as the new livery for the Union-Castle Line.

The Union-Castle Line era:

1900

February 13th - Shareholders approved Union Line and Castle Packet Company merger.

1900

8th March - Union Steamship Company and Castle Mail Packets Company registered the merged Company name - The Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company Limited was born.

At the time of the merger, the Union Steamship fleet included:

ARAB, TROJAN, SPARTAN, MOOR, MEXICAN, SCOT, GAUL, GOTH, GREEK, GUELPH, NORMAN, BRITON, GASCON, GAIKA, GOORKKA, GERMAN, SABINE, SUSUEHANNA, GALEKA, SAXON, GALICIAN and the CELT on order.

The Castle Line Mail Packet Co ships included:

GARTH CASTLE, HAWARDEN CASTLE, NORHAM CASTLE, ROSLIN CASTLE, PEMBROKE CASTLE, DUNNOTTAR CASTLE, DOUNE CASTLE, LISMORE CASTLE, TANTALLON CASTLE, HARLECH CASTLE, ARUNDEL CASTLE, DUNVEGAN CASTLE, TINTAGEL CASTLE,AVONDALE CASTLE, DUNOLLY CASTLE, RAGLAN CASTLE, CARISBROOKE CASTLE, BRAEMAR CASTLE, KINFAUNS CASTLE, KILDONOAN CASTLE.

Sailings from London were ended, the fleets adopted Castle Lines' lavender grey hulls with vermilion funnels and the completed CELT was launched as WALMER CASTLE.

1900

10th March - Union Line's Moor departed Southampton for the last time in Union colours - yellow funnel and white hull.

1900

17th March - Donald Currie hosted a reception aboard Dunnottar Castle for a ceremony to commemorate the hoisting of the Union-Castle flag for the first time.

1900

Boer War resulted in heavy military traffic for Union-Castle Line with vast quantities of troops and supplies being shipped to South Africa. Many "Intermediate" ships were requisitioned by the British Government for the purpose.

1900

Lord Roberts Commander-in-Chief South Africa and his Chief of Staff General Kitchener conveyed to the Cape by Union-Castle.

1901

Tantallon Castle lost off Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was later held).

1902:

A boom expected to follow the Boer War failed to materialize, and 15 ships were laid up at Netley in Southampton Water in 1902. Nine ships undertook the weekly mail service: SAXON, BRITON, NORMAN, WALMER CASTLE, CARISBROOKE CASTLE, DUNVEGAN CASTLE, KILDONAN CASTLE, and KINFAUS CASTLE.

1904

When the new KENILWORTH CASTLE came on line in 1904, she replaced DUNVEGAN CASTLE, which made a series of cruises to Norway, the Mediterranean and around Britain, before entering the reserve fleet at Netley, Southampton.

1910

Lord Gladstone, the first Governor General of South Africa, traveled out in 1910 aboard WALMER CASTLE. The 1900 mail contract was extended until 1912, as the colonies united and South African Parliament formed under the Union of South Africa. HRH The Prince of Wales was to be conveyed to Cape Town to open the new Parliament aboard Balmoral Castle - taken over by the Admiralty for the purpose as H.M.S. Balmoral Castle. Shortly before the vessel sailed King Edward Vll died and The Prince of Wales ascended the throne as H.M. King George V. Thus his brother, The Duke of Connaught sailed in his place to perform the ceremony.

Union-Castle Line era in Royal Mail Line Group’s ownership:

1911

The Royal Mail Line's Group bought the Union-Castle Company.

1912

In April 1912, Royal Mail Line took control of Union-Castle and a new ten year mail contract was signed. With the Welshman Sir Owen Philipps (later Lord Kylsant) on the board, the first new ships ordered had Welsh names: LLANDOVERY CASTLE and LLANSTEPHAN CASTLE.

1914

Even before the official outbreak of the First World War, Carisbrooke Castle, Norman and Dunvegan Castle were brought out of lay-up and commissioned by the Admiralty - the first as a hospital ship, the latter two as troopships. By September 4, nineteen of Union-Castle's forty one ocean going vessels were on National service. By 1915 thirteen Union-Castle steamers were in service as hospital ships.

1919

By October 1919, the 'Round Africa' service had recommenced with a number of wartime standard ships replacing war losses, and Natal Direct Line had been acquired. The weekly mail service resumed after World War I. The "intermediate" service recommenced with Gloucester Castle - Guildford Castle - Llanstephen Castle and the ageing Norman.

1921

The new Mailship Arundel Castle entered service, and was Union-Castle’s first four funnelled ship. At 19,000 tons she was at the time, the largest Union-Castle ship ever. Her sister WINDSOR CASTLE followed a year later.

1922

The famous "Round Africa" service was inaugurated.

1925

Norman was finally withdrawn - Llandovery Castle entered service.

1926

A sister ship to Llandovery Castle - Llandaff Castle entered service.

1926

The motor ship (as opposed to steam ship) era began with the delivery of Carnarvon Castle. Her squat funnels heralding a new profile for the next decade, and instantly making the two four stackers appear old fashioned. 25 motor ships followed until the delivery of Pretoria Castle in 1948 which heralded a return to steam.

1927

In 1927, Royal Mail Line added White Star Line to its already vast array of shipping companies, but as the decade drew to a close, was immersed in increasing troubles. The British Treasury became involved over concerns regarding Union-Castle Line's parent company with an aim to separate it from Royal Mail.

Union Castle Line era as an independent company:

1932

The Royal Mail group of companies (which then included Union-Castle) ran into financial difficulties and only after complex negotiations did Union-Castle emerge as an independent concern.

1934

By 1934, Lord Kylsant had resigned and Royal Mail was in liquidation. With heavy Government involvement, Union-Castle commenced a five year rebuilding program.

1936

Two famous inter war ships entered service - Athlone Castle and Stirling Castle. In 1936, the biggest vessel yet, STIRLING CASTLE, beat the record to the Cape set in 1893 by SCOT. A new ten year 14 day mail contract was signed, which meant the fleet had to be re-engined and rebuilt, as only the STIRLING CASTLE and ATHLONE CASTLE could maintain the timetable. ARUNDEL CASTLE and WINDSOR CASTLE had their forward hulls and bows rebuilt and funnels reduced to two; CARNARVON CASTLE, WINCHESTER CASTLE, and WARWICK CASTLE were re-engined.

1938

Mail service accelerated to fourteen days; Capetown Castle enters service on 29th April.

1939

By 1939, the rebuilding program was completed, and by August, signs of the coming war were all too evident. The laid up EDINBURGH CASTLE was used for trooping and DUNNOTTAR CASTLE became an armed merchant cruiser. After war was declared, CARNARVON CASTLE, DUNVEGAN CASTLE, and PRETORIA CASTLE also became armed merchant cruisers.

1945

Despite heavy war losses the Union-Castle passenger fleet at the end of the Second World War comprised:

Mailships - Capetown Castle - Athlone Castle - Stirling Castle - Winchester Castle - Carnarvon Castle - Arundel Castle.

1946

After the war ended, Union-Castle ships were still employed in carrying troops all over the world. In 1946, South African sponsored a scheme for engineers and their families to emigrate from Britain to fill badly needed positions. CARNARVON CASTLE, WINCHESTER CASTLE and ARUNDEL CASTLE were employed on this service, which was an improvement on their trooping days but not up to pre-war standards. DURBAN CASTLE was placed in austerity service before resuming the round Africa route.

1947

Capetown Castle departed Southampton on 9th January on the first passenger carrying post war mail service voyage. With the Stirling Castle the mail service was restored. In May Llandovery Castle reopened the "Round Africa" passenger service.

1948

The Pretoria Castle (later S.A. Oranje) and Edinburgh Castle, the first post-war newbuildings departed Southampton on 22nd July and 9th December respectively on their maiden voyages in the mail service. ARUNDEL CASTLE returned from reconditioning in 1948, while the "R" class cargo ships handled the mail service in the meantime.

1949

DUNNOTTAR CASTLE resumed round Africa service in February 1949.

Another major rebuilding program was needed, resulting in thirteen new ships: PRETORIA CASTLE and EDINBURGH CASTLE (from Harland & Wolff); for the mail service; KENYA CASTLE, BRAEMAR CASTLE and RHODESIA CASTLE (intermediate liners); BLOEMFONTEIN CASTLE (for round Africa service); RIEBEECK CASTLE and RUSTENBERG CASTLE (to carry refrigerated cargo); TANTALLON CASTLE, TINTAGEL CASTLE, DRAKESBERG CASTLE, GOOD HOPE CASTLE and KENILWORTH CASTLE (for general cargo); GOOD HOPE CASTLE and DRAKESBERG CASTLE were registered in South Africa, trading to the United States.

1950

Bloemfontein Castle, the first "Round Africa" post war newbuilding departed London on her maiden voyage anti-clockwise round Africa. The first Union-Castle "one class" ship she was built in anticipation of an emigration boom which did not, in the event, materialise.

1953

Pretoria Castle was honoured to be the Union-Castle vessel present at the Coronation Review of the Fleet by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Spithead on 15th June 1953.

Union-Castle Line era in British & Commonwealth Shipping Company ownership:

1955

On 4th October 1955 the press broke the story of the proposed merger of the Cayzer-dominated Clan Line and Union-Castle Line which became effective on 31st December with the creation of British & Commonwealth. Clan Line contributed 60% of the assets - 57 vessels, Union-Castle 40% - 42 vessels and thus the Cayzer Family gained control of Union-Castle. Lord Rotherwick became Chairman, his nephew, Sir Nicholas (later Lord) Cayzer, Deputy Chairman.

1956

Early in 1956, British & Commonwealth was formed, which consolidated Union-Castle, Clan Line and Bullard King Group. The management, routes and colours of each company were unchanged, but competition was removed within the companies, and interchanging of cargoes began.

1958

Lord Rotherwick died, Sir Nicholas Cayzer became Chairman, his brother, Mr. Bernard Cayzer, became Deputy Chairman.

1959

Pendennis Castle (replacing the aging Arundel Castle) sailed from Southampton on her maiden voyage in the mail service on New Years Day. Arundel Castle completed her 211th and last voyage from the Cape and sailed for breakers in the Far East.

1959

Windsor Castle, ordered from Cammel Laird, Birkenhead, was launched on 23rd June by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

1960

On Thursday 18th August Windsor Castle departed Southampton on her maiden voyage in the mail service becoming the largest liner ever to visit Cape Town. Winchester Castle, dating from 1930 was finally withdrawn.

1960

An explosion in the crankcase of Capetown Castle sent a blast through her engine room as she was approaching Las Palmas sadly killing her Chief Engineer and seven officers and ratings.

1961

The one class liner, Transvaal Castle (later S.A.Vaal) was launched by Lady Cayzer, Wife of the Chairman, at John Brown's yard on the Clyde (where the Victoria was also built).

1962

"Round Africa" service closed.

1962

As Transvaal Castle sailed from Southampton on her maiden voyage on 18th January 1962 she was saluted by the American Blue Riband holder - the magnificent S/S United States. Sadly, Carnarvon Castle and Warwick Castle were both withdrawn at this time, coincidentally departing Durban for the last time together. Durban Castle also ended her career.

1964

Southampton Castle launched on October 20th by H.R.H. Princess Alexandra. Pacific Steam Navigation Company's REINA DEL MAR was painted in Union-Castle colours in 1964, and managed by Union-Castle until purchased in 1973.

1965

Good Hope Castle launched - she sailed on her maiden voyage in the mail service on 14th January 1966

1965

With the sailing of Windsor Castle on 16th July 1965 the mail service was accelerated to provide a Southampton - Cape Town passage of eleven days - the familiar 4.0pm Thursday departure giving way to 1.0pm Friday - the final pattern of sailings that was to last for twelve more years. Athlone Castle and Stirling Castle dating from 1936 were simultaneously withdrawn.

The final cycle of weekly sailings saw the Mailships depart Southampton in the following order - an order unchanged until their ultimate withdrawal: Windsor Castle - Southampton Castle - Edinburgh Castle - S.A.Vaal - Pendennis Castle - Good Hope Castle - S.A. Oranje

1965

Union-Castle took over the charter of the cruise liner Reina del Mar employing her out of Southampton in the summer months - mainly to the Mediterranean, though she made two voyages to the Caribbean. In winter she cruised from South African ports - often across the South Atlantic to Rio de Janeiro and other South American ports.

1965

British & Commonwealth Group formed Overseas Containers Ltd (OCL) in a collaboration with other major British shipping companies including the Alfred Holt Group (parent company of Blue Funnel, Glen Line and Elder Dempster), P&O Group and the Furness Withy Group. The new container shipping company, Overseas Containers Ltd (OCL), was one of the British pioneers of container shipping. British & Commonwealth Group's involvement in Overseas Containers Ltd (OCL) ended in 1986 when P&O Group took over the company and formed P&O Containers Ltd.

1966

The devastating UK seamen's strike lasting 46 days resulted in thirteen British & Commonwealth Group ships being laid up in Southampton Docks at the same time.

1966

The mail service became a joint Operation with The South African Marine Corporation - Safmarine. Pretoria Castle and Transvaal Castle were transferred to the latter Company and, ultimately, the South African Flag. They became respectively S.A. Oranje and S.A. Vaal, and were painted in Safmarine colours.

Union-Castle Line - The Final Years:

However, the face of British shipping was about to change, due mainly to the invention of the jet engine and the building of faster, safer aircraft. When the De Havilland "Comet" took to the air, mail could be delivered around the world far quicker than by sea. The Boeing 747 "Jumbo Jet" enabled the mass transportation of people by air. Thus the days of the passenger liner and the regular mail services by sea were numbered due to air competition, freight containerisation and soaring fuel costs.

1973:

British & Commonwealth Shipping Co and South African Marine Corp combined their operations under the name International Liner Services Ltd in October 1973.

1973

Decision was taken to containerise Europe - South Africa services in 1977.

1973

Cruise liner Reina del Mar previously on charter from The Pacific Steam Navigation Company was purchased outright.

1973

29th June - Serious fire broke out aboard Good Hope Castle whilst en route from Ascension Island to St. Helena. Passengers rescued by passing tanker. Good Hope Castle abandoned but did not sink and was subsequently towed to Bilbao for repairs involving over 1000 tons of new steel. Re-entered mail service from Southampton on 31st May 1974.

1974

World oil crisis caused huge increase in bunker prices resulting in 10% surcharge on Mailship fares. Southampton - Cape Town mail service temporarily slowed from eleven day passage to twelve to conserve scarce bunker oil.

1975

Run down of weekly mail service began with withdrawal of S.A. Oranje (ex- Pretoria Castle). Departed Southampton 19th September for the breakers.

1975

Cruise liner Reina del Mar unexpectedly withdrawn and sold for scrap departing Southampton for Taiwan on 28th May.

1976

Edinburgh Castle withdrawn - last departure from Southampton (without passengers) 23rd April 1976 for Durban thence the breakers.

1976

Pendennis Castle withdrawn after arriving at Southampton on 14th June - sailed for Far-East on 7th July where laid up as Ocean Queen, subsequently broken up in 1980 without further trading.

1977

The Company's flagship Windsor Castle sailed from Southampton on her last voyage on 12th August, arrived back on 19th September. Sold to John S Latsis (Greece) for use as a floating hotel in the Middle-East, she sailed from Southampton on 3rd October as Margarita L with a Greek crew, yellow funnel and her port anchor (not properly raised) crashing against her hull plating. Currently in 2004 she is laid up near Piraeus in Greece. Although other bidders in the race included Sitmar Line and Carnival Cruise Lines. So if things had turned out differently the Windsor Castle might have joined the Sitmar Line or Carnival Cruises fleet, as indeed her fleetmate the former Transvaal Castle was soon to do. 

1977

S.A. Vaal (ex Transvaal Castle) closed out her career with a final arrival at Southampton on 10th October. She sailed to Japan to be rebuilt for a new career as Festivale with Carnival Cruise Lines on 29th October. Sadly she was eventually scrapped in 2003 in Alang, India.

1977

Good Hope Castle completed her last voyage in the mail service at Southampton on 26th September. On 30th September, mainly in order to keep the Islands of Ascension and St. Helena supplied, she made an additional voyage to the Cape via Zeebrugge - outside the mail service. She was finally withdrawn on return to Southampton via Flushing on 8th December 1977 subsequently being sold to Italy's Costa Line as Paola C and departing for Genoa in February 1978. After only a short career with Costa she was broken up.

1977

On 24th October 1977, 120 years after it commenced, Southampton Castle arrived at Southampton to finally close out the historic mail service. She was sold to Costa Line, finally departing Southampton for Genoa as Franca C on 24th February 1978. Similarly to her sister, Good Hope Castle, she went to the breakers after only the shortest career under the Italian Flag.

Subsequently, in order to keep the Union-Castle name alive, several Clan Line refrigerated ships were given Castle names and were repainted in Union-Castle colours. However, the last ship to fly the mail pennant for the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Co was the "Kinpurnie Castle" (ex Clan Ross). She carried the mail on a voyage from Southampton to Durban calling at the Ascension Islands, St Helena, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London.

1981

By 1981 the last of the Clan Line vessels were sold as a new breed of cargo carrier, the container ship, was introduced which made the operation of small cargo vessels un-competitive. However with the demise of Clan Line a remnant of the company, Cayzer Irvine, continued to manage ships until 1987 when the Cayzer family sold their holding in British & Commonwealth. After that Cayzer Irvine was renamed CI Shipping Ltd and continued to manage ships until 1988.

1982

International Liner Services Ltd (formed in 1973 by combining the operations of British & Commonwealth Shipping Co. and South African Marine Corp.) withdrawns from shipping after failing to compete against air travel.

1986

By this time British & Commonwealth had disposed of their last ship - having fully diversified into other fields of activity such as financial services, aviation, hotels, commodity trading and office equipment. The British & Commonweath Group was a subsidiary of Caledonia Investments PLC (www.caledonia.com), the Cayzer family holding company. In October 1987 Caledonia sold their holding in the British & Commonwealth Group. In 1989 British & Commonwealth Group acquired Atlantic Computers, an apparently successful company. However this proved to be a disastrous move for the Group as Atlantic Computers financial outlook proved to be highly precarious and they had done some creative accounting to make their company appear highly successful. It was this acquisition of Atlantic Computers that precipitated the later collapse and liquidation of British & Commonwealth Group in 1990 with debts of over £1.5 billion.

The company which became Caledonia Investments was incorporated in 1928 as the Foreign Railways Investment Trust Ltd. It was acquired by the Cayzer family in 1951 to hold their diverse interests and was renamed Caledonia Investments Ltd. In 1955 Caledonia acquired the Cayzer family's interest in the British & Commonwealth Shipping Co. Ltd, formed out of the merger of Clan Line (started by the Cayzer family in the 1880s) and Union-Castle Line. In 1960 the company was listed on the London Stock Exchange and in 1981 their name was changed to Caledonia Investments PLC. After their holding in British & Commonweath was sold in 1987, Caledonia Investments became a UK investment trust company. Today the Cayzer family are still heavily involved in Caledonia Investments.

Postscript:

In 1999, the Union-Castle Line name was briefly revived for an advertised "Round Africa" sailing on the old Union-Castle route. P & O Line's VICTORIA (British-built former KUNGSHOLM) sailed December 11, 1999 from Southampton on a millennium cruise with her funnel painted in Union-Castle vermilion. New Year's celebrations were held in Cape Town and the VICTORA returned to Southampton in February 2000.

Sadly the early 21^st century marked a sad time for the few surviving Union-Castle Line ships as their ocean going days came to an end and they went for scrap. In June 2001 the AMERIKANIS formerly known as Kenya Castle, built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast in 1952 for Union-Castle’s London (Tilbury) to round Africa service, was scrapped in India, Then in July 2003 the BIG BOAT formerly known as RMS Transvaal Castle, built by John Brown & Co. Clydebank in 1962 for Union-Castle’s Southampton to Cape Town & Durban express mailship service, was scrapped in India. While in August 2004 the final remaining UCL ship apart from the former RMS Windsor Castle – the VICTORIA formerly known as M/S Dunnottar Castle, built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast in 1936 for Union Castle’s London (Tilbury) to round Africa service, was also scrapped in India.

Sadly the recent loss of Kenya Castle, Transvaal Castle and now Dunnottar Castle means that the list of surviving former Union-Castle Line ships is now down to just one ship – the Margarita L., formerly known as RMS Windsor Castle. This ship is currently laid up in Greece owned by the Latsis family.

Sadly in December 2004 this fine ship also was sold for scrap to Indian scrap merchants and departed for India in early April 2005. So the great mailships of Union-Castle Line are no more. The era of the traditional ocean liner is almost over and the last classic liners are likely to fade into distant memory only being remembered in books, photographs, films, museums, on websites, in their surviving memorabilia and artefacts, and of course in people’s hearts.  

Long may the legacy of these fine ocean greyhounds endure.

www.caledonia.com

Caledonia Investments (Cayzer Family)

www.union-castle-line.com

Union-Castle Line (Centenary Voyage) historical website

www.unioncastlestaffregister.co.uk

The Union-Castle Line Staff Register

www.safmarine.com

Safmarine (now a subsidiary of the A.P.Moller Group)

www.apmoller.com

A.P. Moller - Maersk Group (Owners of Safmarine)

www.reidspalace.com

Reid's Palace Hotel, Funchal, Madeira

www.mountnelson.co.za

Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa