
Harrison Line
History
T & J Harrison Ltd. started in Liverpool in 1853 when the Harrison brothers who had previously been partners in the firm of George Brown and Harrison, took over the company when George Brown died. The company’s original trade was importing brandy and wine from Tonnay-Charente, the loading port for the town of Cognac in France. The trade was carried in a variety of sailing ships owned by individual members of the Harrison family through the 64ths system.
In 1860 the business received a major boost as a result of a treaty between Britain and France reducing customs duties on French spirits and wine plus the abolition of duties on British Coal. This encouraged the Harrisons to buy their first two steamships. In the same year they also began to buy much larger sailing ships for services to India and the Caribbean. These were gradually replaced by steamships, especially after the opening of the Suez Canal at the end of 1869 but the last sailing ship was not sold until 1889. Harrisons set up the Charente Steam Ship Co in 1871 and transformed it into limited liability company in 1884 when 24 ships were transferred from the old 64ths system. took over John T. Rennie, Sons & Co Aberdeen Direct Line in 1911. This brought them a fleet of seven ships and passenger services to Natal. Further acquisitions were the Rankin, Gilmour fleet (1918), the Crown Line fleet of Prentice, Service & Henderson, Glasgow (1920) and Scrutton, Sons & Co, London (1920).
Harrisons lost 27 ships to enemy action in WW1 and a further 30 in WW2.
By 1988 with the decline in British shipping, the company only owned three ships and chartered several more, but have subsequently withdrawn from shipowning.
The flag shown on this page is that of the Harrisons Commodore. The usual flag is without the red swallowtails - i.e. a red Maltese Cross on a rectangular white background.
Ships
Vessel | Type | Launched/Completed | Tonnage | DWT | Builder |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Actor | No Info | 16/08/1917. | Gross: 5548 Net: 3467 | 8455 | D & W Henderson & Co Ltd. Glasgow |
Administrator | No Info | July 1958. Yard No: 826 | Gross: 8714 Net: 4725 | 11455 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland |
Adventurer | No Info | 21/04/1959. Yard No: 834 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland | ||
Adviser | Cargo / Passenger | April 1939. | Gross: 6348 Net: 3886 | 9000 | Lithgows Ltd. Port Glasgow |
Arbitrator | Cargo | Oct 1951. Yard No: 791 | Gross: 8150 Net: 4406 | 9940 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland |
Architect | No Info | 12/11/1912. | Gross: 5421 Net: 3415 | 8455 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow |
Artisan | No Info | Oct 1941. Yard No: 468 | Gross: 7037 Net: 4947 | 10380 | Short Bros Ltd. Sunderland |
Astronomer | Cargo / Passenger | 21/04/1917. | Gross: 8401 Net: 5341 | 1200 | D & W Henderson & Co Ltd. Glasgow |
Astronomer | No Info | 25/10/1950. Yard No: 785 | Gross: 8150 Net: 4406 | 9940 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland |
Atlantian | No Info | 1928? | |||
Auditor | No Info | 17/04/1924. | Gross: 5444 Net: 3427 | 8340 | John Brown & Co. Ltd. Clydebank |
Author | No Info | 1914? | |||
Author | No Info | 04/06/1958. Yard No: 827 | Gross: 8715 Net: 4729 | 11455 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland |
Barrister | No Info | 01/06/1954. Yard No: 802 | Gross: 8366 Net: 4434 | 9607 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland |
Benefactor | No Info | 22/04/1912. | Gross: 5511 Net: 3492 | D & W Henderson & Co Ltd. Glasgow | |
Biographer | No Info | Aug 1949. Yard No: 1029 | Gross: 6922 Net: 4073 | 9850 | Lithgows Ltd. Port Glasgow |
Candidate | No Info | 1907 | Gross: 4843 Net: 3147 | A. Stephens & Sons. Ltd. Glasgow. | |
Chancellor | No Info | Oct 1916. | Gross: 4607 Net: 2942 | 7400 | Russell & Co. Port Glasgow |
Cognac | No Info | Aug 1902. | Gross: 814 Net: 422 | 1200 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow |
Collegian | No Info | 1912? | |||
Collegian | No Info | 1923? | |||
Colonial | No Info | 15/12/1925. | Gross: 5108 Net: 3129 | 8050 | D & W Henderson & Co Ltd. Glasgow |
Colonial | No Info | 1943? | |||
Comedian | No Info | 20/08/1929. | |||
Commodore | No Info | Oct 1902. | Gross: 2739 Net: 1762 | 4270 | Barclay, Curle & Co. Ltd. Glasgow |
Contractor | No Info | July 1930. | Gross: 6003 Net: 3755 | 9750 | Cammell, Laird & Co. Ltd. Birkenhead |
Counsellor | No Info | 1926? | |||
Craftsman | No Info | Jan 1911. | Gross: 5815 Net: 3644 | 9900 | Russell & Co. Port Glasgow |
Craftsman | No Info | 1922. Yard No: 17 | Gross: 7896 Net: 4939 | 11335 | Furness S.B. Co. Ltd. Haverton Hill - on - Tees |
Craftsman | No Info | Sept 1947. Yard No: 1020 | Gross: 6725 Net: 4000 | 9160 | Lithgows Ltd. Port Glasgow |
Crofter | No Info | 16/08/1951. Yard No: 568 | Gross: 8377 Net: 4632 | 10520 | J. Readhead & Sons Ltd. South Shields |
Custodian | No Info | 31/05/1928. | Gross: 5881 Net: 3698 | 9200 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow |
Custodian | Cargo 261,819 G. | 05/10/1960. | Gross: 8847 Net: 4849 | 10920 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland |
Dalesman | No Info | 1940? | |||
Dalesman | No Info | 1961? | |||
Defender | Cargo / Passenger | 19/03/1915. | Gross: 8258 Net: 5280 | 11960 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow |
Defender | No Info | 23/06/1955. Yard No: 809 | Gross: 8367 Net: 4432 | 9570 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland |
Designer | Cargo | 03/07/1928. | Gross: 5945 Net: 3720 | 9150 | D & W Henderson & Co Ltd. Glasgow |
Diplomat | Cargo / Passenger | Sept 1921. | Gross: 8240 Net: 5255 | 11960 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow |
Diplomat | No Info | 09/07/1952. Yard No: 794 | Gross: 8202 Net: 4412 | 9770 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland |
Dictator | No Info | Jan 1912. | Gross: 4940 Net: 3149 | 7600 | Russell & Co. Port Glasgow |
Director | No Info | 02/12/1926. | Gross: 5107 Net: 3100 | 8210 | D & W Henderson & Co Ltd. Glasgow |
Discoverer | No Info | 19/10/1913. | Gross: 5413 Net: 3415 | 8455 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow |
Discoverer | No Info | 1964? | |||
Dramatist | No Info | Dec 1920. | Gross: 5443 Net: 3423 | 8340 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow |
Electrician | No Info | 1913? | Gross: 4572 Net: 2884 | 7600 | Russell & Co. Port Glasgow |
Explorer | No Info | 05/09/1910. | Gross: 7608 Net: 4817 | 11290 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow |
Explorer | No Info | 1935? | |||
Explorer | No Info | 22/10/1960. | Gross: 7200 Net: 3754 | 8850 | Nederlandsche Scheips Maots, Amsterdam |
Factor | No Info | 16/10/1947. Yard No: 456 | Gross: 6533 Net: 3862 | 9230 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow |
Forester | Cargo / Passenger | May 1952. Yard No: 569 | Gross: 8377 Net: 4632 | 10520 | J. Readhead & Sons Ltd. South Shields |
Geologist | No Info | 09/10/1943. Yard No: 989 | Gross: 6155 Net: 3620 | 9000 | Lithgows Ltd. Port Glasgow |
Gladiator | No Info | April 1914. | Gross: 5052 Net: 3189 | 8754 | Wm. Hamilton & Co. Ltd. Glasgow |
Governor | No Info | 09/05/1918. | Gross: 5571 Net: 3495 | 8060 | D & W Henderson & Co Ltd. Glasgow |
Governor | No Info | 08/05/1952. Yard No: 793 | Gross: 8202 Net: 4389 | 9770 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland |
Herdsman | Cargo / Passenger | Jan 1947. Yard No: 739 | Gross: 6822 Net: 4016 | 9270 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland |
Historian | No Info | 15/10/1924. | Gross: 5074 Net: 3156 | 8340 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow |
Historian | Cargo 562,608 G. | Oct 1943. Yard No: 2223 | Gross: 7262 Net: 4276 | 10521 | Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyards Inc. Baltimore |
Historian | Cargo 601,906 G. | 08/11/1968. | Gross: 8454 Net: 4710 | 11100 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland |
Huntsman | No Info | 1921? | |||
Inanda | Passenger | 1925 | Gross: 5985 Net: 3700 | 6900 | Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd. Newcastle |
Ingoma | No Info | 1913? | |||
Interpreter | No Info | 14/11/1947. Yard No: 747 | Gross: 6815 Net: 4027 | 9270 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland |
Intombi | Cargo / Passenger | 30/05/1912. | Gross: 3884 Net: 2504 | 6440 | D & W Henderson & Co Ltd. Glasgow |
Inventor | No Info | 04/08/1904. | Gross: 7679 Net: 4917 | 10825 | D & W Henderson & Co Ltd. Glasgow |
Inventor | No Info | 03/07/1935. | Gross: 6210 Net: 3840 | 9294 | D & W Henderson & Co Ltd. Glasgow |
Inventor | No Info | 31/08/1963. | Gross: 8850 Net: 4833 | 10954 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow |
Journalist | No Info | 20/01/1954. Yard No: 801 | Gross: 8366 Net: 4434 | 9670 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland |
Logician | No Info | 1928? | |||
Linguist | No Info | Dec 1947. Yard No: 1021 | Gross: 6736 Net: 3993 | 9160 | Lithgows Ltd. Port Glasgow |
Linguist | Cargo 412,490 G. | 22/06/1966. | Gross: 6488 Net: 3298 | 7925 | A/B Lindholmens Varv, Gothenburg |
Magician | No Info | 05/05/1925. | Gross: 5105 Net: 3186 | 8340 | New Waterway SB. Co. Schiedam |
Magician | Cargo 601,960 G. | 05/10/1968. | Gross: 8454 Net: 4710 | 11100 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland |
Merchant | No Info | 18/03/1943. Yard No: 983 | Gross: 7045 Net: 4745 | 9900 | Lithgows Ltd. Port Glasgow |
Merchant | Cargo 848,077 G. | 25/08/1964. | Gross: 5349 Net: 2618 | 7662 | Cammell, Laird & Co. Ltd. Birkenhead |
Naturalist | No Info | 1943? | |||
Navigator | No Info | 1914? | |||
Novelist | No Info | 1940? | |||
Novelist | No Info | 1965? | |||
Observer | No Info | 24/01/1928. | Gross: 5881 Net: 3695 | 9150 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow |
Orator | No Info | Oct 1912. | Gross: 4622 Net: 2947 | 7600 | A. McMillan & Son Ltd. Dumbarton |
Patrician | No Info | 1914 | Gross: 5742 Net: 3636 | 9350 | Russell & Co. Port Glasgow |
Philosopher | No Info | 1942? | |||
Philosopher | No Info | 18/03/1964. | Gross: 6165 Net: 3300 | 7725 | A/B Lindholmens Varv, Gothenburg |
Plainsman | No Info | 21/05/1959. Yard No: 835 | Gross:8732 Net: 4727 | 11455 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland |
Planter | No Info | ||||
Planter | No Info | 1943? | |||
Politician | Cargo / Passenger 590,000 G. | 1923 | Gross: 7939 Net: 4900 | 11200 | Furness, Withy & Co. Ltd. West Hartlepool |
Prospector | Cargo | 1944. Yard No: 988 | Gross: 6165 Net: 3625 | 9000 | Lithgows Ltd. Port Glasgow |
Rancher | No Info | 1927? | |||
Recorder | No Info | 29/07/1930. | Gross: 5982 Net: 3732 | 9150 | Cammell, Laird & Co. Ltd. Birkenhead |
Saint Bede | Cargo 385,291 G. | 04/06/1919. Yard No: 723 | Gross: 4699 Net: 2953 | 7729 | Lithgows Ltd. Port Glasgow |
Scholar | No Info | 01/03/1922. | Gross: 3904 Net: 2473 | 6165 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow |
Scholar | Cargo 562,608 G. | May 1944. Yard No: 3022 | Gross: 7274 Net: 4247 | 10494 | New England Shipbuilding Corp. Maine |
Scholar | Cargo 878,077 R. | Dec 1964. | Gross: 5837 Net: 2844 | Cammell, Laird & Co. Ltd. Birkenhead | |
Scientist | No Info | 30/05/1938. | Gross: 6199 Net: 3794 | 8820 | Lithgows Ltd. Port Glasgow |
Sculptor | No Info | 1944? | |||
Selector | No Info | ||||
Senator | No Info | 1917? | |||
Senator | Cargo 562,608 G. | Aug 1943. Yard No: 723 | Gross: 7259 Net: 4271 | 10439 | Oregon S.B. Corp. Portland |
Settler | No Info | 02/05/1939. | Gross: 6225 Net: 3757 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow | |
Speaker | No Info | ||||
Specialist | No Info | 1917? | |||
Specialist | Cargo 562,608 G. | Oct 1942. Yard No: 2249 | Gross: 7263 Net: 4268 | 10547 | Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyards Inc. Baltimore |
Specialist | Cargo | 31/10/1975. | Gross: 35716 Net: 25385 | 60922 | Burmeister & Wain Skibs A/S. Copenhagen |
Spectator | No Info | June 1911. | Gross: 4574 Net: 2860 | 7600 | A. McMillan & Son Ltd. Dumbarton |
Statesman | No Info | 1914? | |||
Statesman | No Info | 1923? | |||
Statesman | Cargo 562,608 G. | March 1944.Yard No: 2328 | Gross: 7254 Net: 4316 | 10568 | Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyards Inc. Baltimore |
Statesman | No Info | 1964? | |||
Strategist | No Info | 1937? | |||
Strategist | No Info | 1975? | |||
Student | No Info | March 1910. | Gross: 3579 Net: 2322 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow | |
Student | No Info | 1944? | |||
Successor | No Info | April 1944. | Gross: 7237 Net: 4293 | 10568 | Oregon S.B. Corp. Portland |
Tactician | Cargo 450,000 G. | 22/05/1928. | Gross: 5996 Net: 3754 | 9150 | Cammell, Laird & Co. Ltd. Birkenhead |
Tactician | Cargo 261,819 G. | 16/02/1962. | Gross: 8844 Net: 4844 | 10900 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland |
Trader | Cargo | 18/10/1940. | Gross: 6089 Net: 3587 | 9050 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow |
Trader | No Info | 1966? | |||
Traveller | No Info | 14/12/1921. | Gross: 3963 Net: 2499 | 6185 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow |
Tribesman | No Info | 1937? | |||
Tribesman | Cargo 502,020 G. | Dec 1944. Yard No: 5 | Gross: 7083 Net: 4861 | 10320 | Shipbuilding (wear branch) Corp. Ltd. Sunderland |
Wanderer | Cargo 541,000 G. | 11/12/1924. | Gross: 5443 Net: 3423 | 8340 | Charles Connell & Co. Ltd Glasgow |
Wanderer | No Info | ||||
Warrior | No Info | ||||
Wayfarer | No Info | 1925? | |||
Wayfarer | No Info | 09/01/1951. Yard No: 786 | Gross: 8150 Net: 4407 | 9940 | Wm. Doxford & Sons. Ltd. Sunderland |
Wayfarer | Cargo 1,097,000 G. | 13/01/1973. Yard No: 319 | Gross: 16317 Net: 10437 | 27135 | Nippon Kokan Shimizu |