The Fleets
The company was founded in 1855 as the Donaldson Brothers. They acquired their first ship in 1858, a wooden barque, and it was placed in service between the Clyde, Brazil and the River Plate. About 1880, they added routes from Glasgow to Quebec and Montreal. In 1894, Bristol to Montreal was added but was soon discontinued due to a lack of freight. They became Donaldson Line Limited in 1913.
In 1916 the Anchor Line obtained a controlling interest in the four Donaldson passenger steamers and a seperate company, Anchor-Donaldson Ltd was formed to operate them. The Donaldson South American Line was formed in 1919 to combine the South American services of Donaldson and the Glasgow SS Co.
In 1924 the company commenced a new service from Glasgow and Liverpool to the American Pacific Coast and in 1934 Donaldson in conjunction with the Bristol City Line took over the Bristol Channel - Canada service of the Leyland Line. The Anchor Line went into liquidation in 1935 and the assets of the Anchor-Donaldson Line were sold, the greater part being acquired by Donaldson Line which changed the name to Donaldson Atlantic Line.
In 1938 the managers of Donaldson interests, Donaldson Bros Ltd changed their name to Donaldson Bros & Black Ltd. After the war, the company resumed cargo services to the Pacific coast of North America and to Canada and in 1948 resumed limited passenger voyages to Canada. The North Pacific service and ships on this route were sold to Blue Star Line in 1954. A new service to the Great Lakes commenced in 1957. In 1967 with the advent of containerisation, the company was liquidated and the fleet sold.
Many thanks to Ted Finch for his assistance in collecting this data. The following list was extracted from various sources. This is not an all inclusive list but should only be used as a guide.
Sailing Ships
| Name | Built | Additional Information | GRT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chilian | 1875 | 1892 wrecked Argentina. | 634 |
| Colorado | 1865 | 1887 wrecked Tierra del Fuego; loss of 7 lives. | 544 |
| Imuncina | 1867 | 1889 damaged by fire at Chile, abandoned to insurers, 1890 sold to Chile, renamed Reina Margarita. | 583 |
| Joan Taylor | 1858 | 1864 sold to G. Lawrence, Hull. | 299 |
| La Plata | 1863 | 1872 sold to A. Cross & W. Kennedy, Chile. | 393 |
| Maranon | 1868 | 1874 destroyed by fire at Chile; loss of one life. | 605 |
| Margaret Falconer | 1861 | 1868 sold to I. Jackson, London. | 381 |
| Mary Falconer | 1861 | 1871 sold to A. McKinnon, Greenock. | 381 |
| Miami | 1867 | 1877 wrecked Peru. | 498 |
| Parana | 1863 | 1875 sold to A. McKinnon, Glasgow. | 399 |
| Peruvian | 1875 | 1890 sold to L. Mathiasen, Denmark. | 637 |
| Santona (1) | 1869 | 1891 wrecked Chile; all hands lost. | 896 |
| Uruguay | 1865 | 1866 sank with loss of 13 lives. | 476 |
Steam Ships
| Name | Built | Additional Information | GRT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vessel | Built | Years in Service | Tons |
| Airthria | 1914 | ex- Trelevan, 1929 purchased from Hain SS Co., renamed Airthria, 1938 sold to Finland renamed Anja. | 4,770 |
| Alcides | 1886 | 1909 scrapped. | 3,421 |
| Alconda | 1906 | 1915 purchased from Ardova SS Co., Liverpool by Anglo-Newfoundland SS Co., 1924 sold to Essex Line, London, renamed Essex Glade. | 4,298 |
| Almora | 1899 | 1916 sold to Houlder, Middleton & Co., London. | 4,385 |
| Amarynthia | 1881 | ex- Merton Hall, 1890 purchased from R. Alexander & Co., renamed Amarynthia, 1902 scrapped at Genoa. | 3,933 |
| Argalia (1) | 1903 | ex- Swanley, 1917 purchased from Century Shipping Co, London, renamed Argalia, 1917 torpedoed and sunk off Ireland. | 4,641 |
| Argalia (2) | 1918 | ex- War Kestrel, 1919 purchased from Shipping Controller, renamed Argalia, 1927 sold to Japan, renamed Miyadono Maru. | 5,214 |
| Astarte | 1870 | 1878 wrecked off coast of Uruguay. | 1,360 |
| Athenia (1) | 1904 | 1917 torpedoed and sunk off Inishtrahull, Ireland; loss of 15 lives. | 7,835 |
| Athenia (2) | 1923 | 1939 torpedoed and sunk off Inishtrahull, Ireland; loss of 128 lives. (First ship to be sunk in WWII 3rd Sep.1939) | 13,465 |
| Cabotia (1) | see Ontarian. | ||
| Cabotia (2) | 1918 | ex- War Viper, 1919 purchased from Shipping Controller, renamed Cabotia (2), 1925 sold to Court Line, London, renamed Cedrington Court. | 5,160 |
| Calgaria | 1941 | ex- Empire Pride; ex- Charlton Pride, 1956 purchased from Charlton Steam Shipping Co., renamed Calgaria, 1963 sold to Greece, renamed Embassy, scrapped. | 8,418 |
| Carmia (1) | see Cassandra. | ||
| Carmia (2) | 1943 | ex- Empire Flag, 1946 purchased from Ministry of Transport renamed Carmia, 1954 sold to Blue Star Line, renamed Victoria Star. | 7,048 |
| Cassandra | 1906 | 1925 renamed Carmia, cargo only, 1929 sold to Bernstein, Germany, renamed Drachenstein. | 7,396 |
| Chalister | 1913 | 1919 purchased from Chalister SS Co., Cardiff by Anglo-Newfoundland SS Co., 1920 sold to R.McLelland, Kingston, Ont. | 5,344 |
| Circe | see Glamis Castle. | ||
| Clutha | 1891 | ex- Attila, 1914 captured from Austria-Hungary, 1915 purchased by Donaldson, renamed Clutha, 1917 sold to Shipping Controller. | 3,426 |
| Colina (1) | 1873 | 1895 sold to Edward Watson, Glasgow. | 2,001 |
| Colina (2) | 1960 | 1967 sold to Chimo Shipping Co., St. John's NF, renamed Andrew C. Crosbie. | 1,776 |
| Concordia (1) | 1881 | 1909 sold to Italy. | 2,544 |
| Concordia (2) | see Gretavale. | ||
| Coracero | 1923 | 1943 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic. | 7,252 |
| Cordillera | 1920 | 1948 sold to Hector Whaling, London, renamed Bransfield. | 6,865 |
| Corinaldo (1) | 1921 | 1942 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic. | 7,131 |
| Corinaldo (2) | 1949 | 1967 sold to China Navigation Co., London, renamed Ningpo. | 8,378 |
| Corrientes (1) | 1920 | 1940 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic. | 6,863 |
| Corrientes (2) | 1943 | ex- Empire Cromer, 1946 purchased from Ministry of Transport, renamed Corrientes, 1954 sold to Blue Star Line. | 7,058 |
| Cortona (1) | 1921 | 1942 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic. | 7,093 |
| Cortona (2) | 1947 | 1967 sold to Greece, renamed Karos. | 8,289 |
| Cranley | 1903 | 1915 purchased from Century Shipping Co., London by Anglo-Newfoundland SS Co., 1931 scrapped. | 4,644 |
| Cybele | 1874 | 1880 wrecked on Anticosti Island; no loss of life. | 1,980 |
| Cynthia | 1880 | 22 May 1889 sunk in collision with SS Polynesian in St Lawrence River; loss of 8 lives. | 2,152 |
| Dakotian | 1921 | 1934 purchased from F. Leyland & Co., Liverpool, 1940 mined and sunk off Wales. | 6,426 |
| Delilian | 1923 | 1936 purchased from T.& J. Harrison, Liverpool, 1954 scrapped. | 6,423 |
| Dorelian | 1923 | 1936 purchased from T.& J. Harrison, Liverpool, 1954 scrapped. | 6,431 |
| Dunachton | 1912 | 1917 purchased from Dunedin SS Co., Leith, 1919 renamed Salacia (2), 1936 sold and became Chinese owned Sheng Yu. | 5,201 |
| Effective | 1880 | chartered 1880 for four voyages. | 1,936 |
| Eirene | 1878 | 1879 wrecked Belle Isle; no loss of life. | 2,035 |
| Erl King | 1878 | chartered from Robertson & Co., London, 1891 wrecked on Long Reef, Key West, Florida. | 2,193 |
| Esmond | 1929 | ex- Traprain Law, 1932 purchased from Law Shipping Co., Glasgow by Anglo-Newfoundland SS Co. renamed Esmond, 1941 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic. | 4,976 |
| Geraldine Mary | 1924 | Anglo-Newfoundland SS Co., 1940 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic. | 7,244 |
| Glamis Castle | 1887 | 1888 purchased from Thomas Skinner & Co., 1888 renamed Circe, 18 July 1891 wrecked on Anticosti Island; loss of 5 lives. | 2,364 |
| Gracia (1) | 1921 | 1941 bombed and sunk in Atlantic. | 5,642 |
| Gracia (2) | 1942 | ex- Empire Treasure, 1946 purchased from Ministry of Transport renamed Gracia, 1954 sold to Blue Star Line, renamed Oregon Star. | 7,040 |
| Gregalia | 1929 | 1941 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic. | 5,802 |
| Gretavale | 1916 | 1917 purchased from Vale SS Co., Glasgow, 1919 renamed Concordia, 1934 sank after collision off Nova Scotia. | 5,388 |
| Hestia | 1890 | ex- Mary Beyts, 1893 purchased from Bombay London SS Co., renamed Hestia, 1909 wrecked on Manan Island, Bay of Fundy; loss of 35 lives. | 3,790 |
| Indrani | 1888 | 1892 purchased from Indra Line, 1915 torpedoed and sunk off Tuskar Light, Ireland. | 3,640 |
| Kastalia (1) | 1897 | 1916 sold to Equinox SS Co., London renamed Yonne, torpedoed and sunk on first voyage for new owners. | 4,039 |
| Kastalia (2) | 1919 | 1936 sold to Ogmore SS Co., London, renamed Tusker Rock. | 4,663 |
| Keemun | 1890 | 1897 purchased from A. Holt & Co. (Blue Funnel Line), 1900 sold to Belgium, renamed Patrie. | 3,132 |
| Kirkholm | 1917 | 1918 purchased from Kirkholm SS Co., Glasgow, 1919 renamed Parthenia (2), 1940 sank after collision off Clyde. | 4,753 |
| Lakonia (1) | 1899 | 1924 scrapped at Genoa. | 4,686 |
| Lakonia (2) | 1944 | ex- Samtrusty, 1947 purchased renamed Lakonia, 1962 sold to Liberia, renamed Sangaetano. | 7,227 |
| Laurentia | 1945 | ex- Medina Victory, 1947 purchased from Ministry of Transport, renamed Laurentia, 1967 scrapped at Valencia. | 8,349 |
| Letitia (1) | 1912 | 1917 wrecked at Chebucto Head, Halifax NS, while employed as hospital ship. | 8,991 |
| Letitia (2) | 1925 | 1946 sold to Ministry of Transport renamed Empire Brent (troopship), 1952 renamed Captain Cook (Australian emigrant ship), 1960 scrapped. | 13,475 |
| Letitia (3) | 1961 | 1967 sold to J.& J. Denholm, Glasgow, renamed Bibi. | 4,667 |
| Lismoria | 1944 | ex- Taos Victory, 1948 purchased from Ministry of Transport, renamed Lismoria, 1967 sold to Greece, renamed Neon and scrapped. | 8,323 |
| Livonian | 1881 | 1913 control taken over from Allan Line, 1914 sold to Admiralty and sunk as a blockship at Dover. | 4,017 |
| Marina (1) | 1870 | 1873 sold to Brazil SS Co. | 1,358 |
| Marina (2) | 1900 | 1916 torpedoed and sunk West of Cape Clear; loss of 18 lives. | 5,204 |
| Mercuria | 1899 | ex- Kelvingrove, 1915 purchased from Glasgow SS Co., renamed Mercuria, 1919 sold to Letricheux Line, Swansea. | 3,092 |
| Modavia | 1927 | 1943 torpedoed and sunk by E-boat in Lyme Bay. | 4,858 |
| Moveria | 1925 | 1952 scrapped. | 4,867 |
| Nebo | 1879 | chartered from D.G. Pinkney & Sons 1879-1880 for 3 voyages. | 1,908 |
| Nortonian | 1913 | 1934 purchased from F. Leyland & Co, Liverpool, 1935 scrapped. | 6,367 |
| Norwegian | 1920 | 1934 purchased from F. Leyland & Co, Liverpool, 1954 sold to Panama, renamed Maria Elaine. | 6,366 |
| Nubian | 1912 | 1934 purchased from F. Leyland & Co, Liverpool, 1935 scrapped. | 6,384 |
| Ontarian | 1900 | 1913 purchased from Allan Line, 1914 renamed Cabotia (1), 1916 shelled and sunk by U-Boat; loss of 32 lives. | 4,309 |
| Orcadian | 1893 | 1914 purchased from Allan Line, 1915 renamed Polaria, 1916 sold to Houlder, Middleton & Co, London. | 3,564 |
| Orchis | 1880 | chartered 1880 for four voyages. | 1,765 |
| Ormidale | 1893 | 1915 purchased from R & C. Allan, Glasgow, 1919 sold to Greece, renamed Istros. | 3,560 |
| Orthia | 1896 | 1922 collided with SS Airedale in St Lawrence River beached and scrapped. | 4,225 |
| Parthenia (1) | 1901 | 1917 torpedoed and sunk off Scilly Isles. | 5,160 |
| Parthenia (2) | see Kirkholm. | ||
| Parthenia (3) | 1918 | ex- Empire Kangaroo, 1946 purchased from Ministry of Transport renamed Parthenia, 1949 sold to Italy, renamed Erminia Mazzella. | 6,219 |
| Polaria | see Orcadian. | ||
| Pythia | 1897 | ex- Raglan Castle, 1910 purchased from Barclay Curle, renamed Pythia, 1911 sold to Norway converted to whale factory ship. | 4,239 |
| Rothermere | 1938 | Anglo-Newfoundland SS Co., 1941 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic. | 5,365 |
| Salacia (1) | 1895 | ex- Manila, 1898 purchased from Pinillos, Izquierdo & Cia, Cadiz, renamed Salacia, 1911 sold to Germany. | 4,134 |
| Salacia (2) | see Dunachton. | ||
| Salacia (3) | 1937 | 1960 scrapped. | 5,495 |
| Santona (2) | 1959 | 1974 sold to Maldives Shipping Co., renamed Maldive Trader. | 1,769 |
| Saturnia | 1910 | 1928 sold, 1929 scrapped. | 8,611 |
| Strathairly | 1880 | chartered 1880 for four voyages. | 1,919 |
| Sulairia | 1929 | 1940 torpedoed and sunk off Ireland. | 3,580 |
| Titania | 1880 | 1886 sold to Navigazione Generale Italiana, renamed Po. | 2,153 |
| Tritonia (1) | 1893 | 1914 mined and sunk near Tory Island, Ireland. | 4,272 |
| Tritonia (2) | 1905 | ex- Borderdale, 1915 purchased from Borderdale Shipping Co., Glasgow, renamed Tritonia, 1917 torpedoed and sunk off Ireland. | 4,445 |
| Tritonia (3) | 1919 | ex- War Emu, purchased from Shipping Controller, renamed Tritonia, 1929 destroyed by explosion Colombia. | 5,244 |
| Vardulia | 1917 | 1929 purchased from Cunard SS Co., 1935 sank with all hands in Atlantic storm. | 5,691 |
| Warwick | 1882 | 1889 purchased from Great Western SS Co., 1896 wrecked on Manan Island, Bay of Fundy. | 2,527 |