Stephenson Clarke Line
History
Stephenson Clarke claim to be the oldest UK shipping company in existence. It started when brothers Ralph and Robert Clarke of North Shields purchased an interest in a 300-ton sailing vessel in 1730 and went on to buy up further ships. The family developed the business over the next 270-odd years and their inheritance is the present Ship Owning and Ship Management business of Stephenson Clarke Shipping Limited which is based in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Unfortunately there is little information available about the company between its early formation and the present time. There is one book about the company but it has not been possible to consult it in preparing this material.
The present company operates a fleet of modern single deck bulk Carriers, designed for ease of loading and discharging with large open hatches and holds and operate several small self load/unloading vessels of between 1250 dwt - 2800 dwt.
Ships names appear to be based on places in Sussex in the South of England.
Ships
| Vessel | Type | Launched/Completed | Tonnage | DWT | Builder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arundel | Cargo 221,500 G. | Nov 1956. Yard No: 428 | Gross: 3422 Net: 1754 | 4600 | Austin & Pickergill Ltd. Sunderland |
| Beeding | Cargo 73,987 G. | Nov 1950. Yard No: 475 | Gross: 1142 Net: 572 | 1597 | Goole SB & R Co. Ltd. Goole |
| Borde | Cargo 221,500 G. | July 1953.Yard No: 416 | Gross: 3401 Net: 1768 | 4550 | S. P. Austin & Son Ltd. Sunderland |
| Bramber | Cargo 118,800 G. | June 1954. | Gross: 1968 Net: 928 | 2480 | S. P. Austin & Son Ltd. Sunderland |
| Emsworth | Cargo 125,730 B. | Dec 1971. Yard No: 333 | Gross: 1784 Net: 929 | 2540 | Burnt Island S.B. Co. Ltd. |
| Findon | No Info | ||||
| Gilsland | Cargo 538,430 G. | Oct 1961. Yard No: 398 | Gross: 5222 Net:2639 | 8727 | Burnt Island S.B. Co. Ltd. |
| Harting | Cargo 129,004 G. | Oct 1958. Yard No: 417 | Gross: 1779 Net: 1175 | 2700 | S. P. Austin & Son Ltd. Sunderland |
| Heyshott | Cargo 205,500 G. | Feb 1949. Yard No: 396 | Gross: 2918 Net: 1586 | 4350 | S. P. Austin & Son Ltd. Sunderland |
| Horsham | Cargo 126,450 G. | Aug 1949. Yard No: 814 | Gross: 1759 Net: 1179 | 2735 | Hall, Russell & Co. Aberdeen |
| Keynes | No Info | 1950? | |||
| Minster | Cargo 231,020 G. | June 1950. Yard No: 332 | Gross: 3194 Net: 1739 | 4800 | Burnt Island S.B. Co. Ltd. |
| Storrington | Cargo 256,610 G. | Dec 1959. Yard No: 390 | Gross: 3809 Net: 2075 | 5015 | Burnt Island S.B. Co. Ltd. |
| Portslade | No Info | Oct 1955. Yard No: 425 | Gross: 1939 Net: 988 | Austin & Pickergill Ltd. Sunderland | |
| Pulborough | No Info | 1945 | |||
| Pulborough | No Info | April 1965. | Gross: 4995 Net: 2791 | 7665 | Blyth Drydock & Shipbuilders Co.Ltd. Blyth |
| Rogate | Cargo 201,641 G. | March 1946. Yard No: 1184 | Gross: 2849 Net: 1569 | 4140 | Wm. Gray & Co. Ltd. West Hartlepool |
| Seaford | No Info | 1955? | |||
| Shoreham | Cargo 121,625 G. | Feb 1957. Yard No: 855 | Gross: 1834 Net: 918 | 2350 | Hall, Russell & Co. Aberdeen |
| Wilmington | Cargo | Sept 1969. | Gross: 5689 Net: 3264 | 8975 | Hall, Russell & Co. Aberdeen |
