Clan Line

Clan Line
Formerly called
C. W. Cayzer & Company
Industry Passenger and cargo shipping
Founded 1877 (1877) in Liverpool, United Kingdom
Founder Charles Cayzer
Headquarters Glasgow, United Kingdom
Area served
Global
Key people
Captain William Irvine,

The Clan Line was a passenger and cargo shipping company that operated in one incarnation or another from the late nineteenth century and into the twentieth century.

History

Foundation and early years

The company that would become the Clan Line was first founded as C. W. Cayzer & Company in Liverpool in 1877 by Charles Cayzer (see Cayzer baronets). It was set up to operate passenger routes between Britain and Bombay, India via the Suez Canal. The next year, Captain William Irvine joined the company and it was renamed Cayzer, Irvine & Company.

In 1881 the company was joined by an influential Glasgow businessman, and the Clan Line Association of Steamers was established. The company opened a new head office at 109 Hope Street, Glasgow. Cayzer Irvine built and managed ships for the association and Cayzer himself retained ownership of the original six Clan ships. At the same time, they expanded their operations to South Africa. In 1890 the company became The Clan Line of Steamers Limited with Cayzer holding the majority interest. The company again expanded its operations with the purchase of the Persian Gulf Steam Ship Company in 1894, bringing four more ships into the company. They used these new assets to expand their routes into the Persian Gulf and to North America, and to begin to carry cargo.

The company was incorporated in 1907 as Cayzer, Irvine & Company, Limited, with the Cayzer family retaining control. Charles Cayzer died in 1916, with his sons continuing to run the company. In 1918 they acquired and incorporated the assets of the Scottish Shire Line. Despite suffering losses in the First World War, the company had recovered by the 1930s to become the largest cargo carrying concern in the world.

The Clan Line at war and after

Clan Line saw a large number of its ships either requisitioned by the British government, or otherwise used to ship vital supplies to Britain during the First and Second World Wars. Their ubiquitousness led to them being called the 'Scots Navy' (due to their officers' sleeve rings being identical to those of the Royal Navy) and they were often in dangerous environments, at risk from mines, air attacks or German U-boats.

During the Second World War, for example, three of the Line's Cameron class steamers were requisitioned in 1942 by the Royal Navy whilst still under construction at Greenock Dockyard and commissioned as HMS Athene (aircraft transporter), HMS Engadine (aircraft transporter) and HMS Bonaventure (submarine depot ship for X-craft). The Clan Line lost a total of 30 ships in the 1939-45 war.

After the end of the war, the Clan Line commissioned six vessels of the Clan MacLaren class (commonly known as the MacL's) to replace war losses and resume a level of pre-war services. Construction started in 1946 and all six had entered service by 1949. Meanwhile, the immediate shortage was alleviated by the acquisition of a number of wartime standard construction ships, such as the American Liberty ships. Most of these would continue to serve with the Clan Line fleet until 1962, by which time the first vessels of the Clan MacIver class were entering service. Meanwhile, management attempted to further alleviate the shortfall with the purchase of the Thompson Steam Shipping Co. in 1952 and the conversion to motor ships throughout the 1950s.

Post war restructuring

In 1956 the Clan Line joined with the Union-Castle Line, King Line and Bullard King & Company to form British & Commonwealth Shipping Limited. A number of transfers then took place between the component companies. They formed the Springbok Shipping Company in 1959 to take over the operations of their South African services, and several of the Clan Lines' ships were transferred to it. In 1961 the Springbok Shipping Company became part of Safmarine.

Decline

In the 1970s, British and Commonwealth began to diversify into financial services as passenger shipping declined and cargo shipping evolved into container shipping. By the mid-1980s, the business had evolved into one of the country’s largest financial services companies. The Clan Line, now a subsidiary of British & Commonwealth, ceased trading in 1981 with the final voyage made by MV Clan Macgregor. By 1986 British & Commonwealth had disposed of their last ship.

With the move from the third to the fourth generation of the Cayzer family, the family shareholders were becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the reduction in control over British and Commonwealth, caused by its expansion using shares as currency. In 1987 they decided to sell their stake in British and Commonwealth and to concentrate their collective investment in Caledonia Investments, whose function until that time had primarily been as a holding company. This was a timely decision: the sale took place just prior to the Black Monday stock market crash and, two years later, British and Commonwealth went into receivership.

Shipping

The ships of the Clan Line were often distinguishable by their names, which in the vast majority of cases had the prefix 'Clan'. Their funnel markings were black with two red bands divided by narrow black band, and they flew the house flag, which was a rectangular red flag bearing a white diamond with a red rampant lion in the centre.

Ships of the Clan Line

Ship Built GRT Notes
SS Argyllshire 1956 9,299 1960 transferred to Scottish Shire Line.
1975 sold to Gulf East Marine Ltd and renamed Schivago
1977 scrapped at Gadani Beach, Pakistan.[1]
SS Ayrshire19569,3601960 transferred to Scottish Shire Line.
1965 wrecked off Socotra.[2]
SS Clan Allen19427,043ex-Empire Forest

1946 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Allen
1958 transferred to Bullard King & Co., renamed Umtali
1959 reverted to Clan Allen
1961 sold to Hong Kong, renamed Ardsirod

SS Clan Alpine18782,1121899 sold to Dene Steam Shipping Co, Newcastle, renamed Elmdene
SS Clan Alpine18993,5871917 torpedoed and sunk off Shetland Islands by U-60, with the loss of 8 lives[3]
SS Clan Alpine19185,48513 March 1943 sunk by escort ship HMS Scarborough after being torpedoed by German submarine U-107 off Cape Finisterre; loss of 28 lives[4]
SS Clan Alpine19427,103ex-Empire Barrie

1945 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Alpine
1957 transferred to Bullard King & Co., renamed Umvoti
1959 reverted to Clan Alpine, 1960 scrapped

SS Clan Alpine19678,7131981 sold to Liberia, renamed African Diamond
SS Clan Angus19427,030ex-Empire Prince

1945 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Angus
1956 transferred to Bullard King & Co., renamed Umkuzi
1959 reverted to Clan Angus
1962 scrapped

SS Clan Brodie19407,473Completed for Admiralty as HMS Athene

1946 returned to Clan Line, renamed Clan Brodie
1963 scrapped

SS Clan Buchanan18822,9681904 sold to Bombay owners, renamed Shah Allum
SS Clan Buchanan19075,2121933 scrapped
SS Clan Buchanan19377,2661941 sunk by German raider Pinguin off the Maldives after the crew had been taken prisoner, with the loss of 91 lives. 10 days later when HMS Cornwall intercepted and sank Pinguin, 107 Clan Buchanan crew members were killed.
SS Clan Buchanan19419,909Completed for Admiralty as HMS Engadine

1946 returned to Clan Line, renamed Clan Buchanan
1962 scrapped

SS Clan Cameron18822,4481900 sold to Trinidad Shipping & Trading Co, Glasgow, renamed Maraval
SS Clan Cameron19003,5951917 torpedoed and sunk by UB-58 off Portland Bill; no loss of life[5]
SS Clan Cameron19377,2431959 scrapped
SS Clan Campbell18822,43422 September 1882 She ran aground and was wrecked at Baie du Cap, Mauritius
SS Clan Campbell18942,6151914 sold to AdelaideSS Co., renamed Camira
SS Clan Campbell19145,9881916 torpedoed, shelled and sunk off Tunisia[6]
SS Clan Campbell19377,25523 March 1942 bombed by Italian naval aircraft and sunk off Malta, with the loss of 7 lives
SS Clan Campbell19439,5451961 transferred to King Line and scrapped
SS Clan Chattan19023,9381930 scrapped
SS Clan Chattan19377,26214 February 1942 bombed and caught fire while part of convoy MW 9A. She was eventually sunk by Convoy Escort off Crete. All 358 crew were saved.
SS Clan Chattan19439,5851962 transferred to King Line and scrapped
SS Clan Chisholm18962,6471925 sold to Japan, renamed Fukko Maru
SS Clan Chisholm19377,25617 October 1939 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-48 off Cape Finisterre, with the loss of 4 lives[7]
SS Clan Chisholm19449,5811962 transferred to King Line and scrapped
SS Clan Colquhoun18995,8561925 sold to Italy, renamed Nasco
SS Clan Colquhoun19187,912ex-Gallic

1933 purchased from White Star Line, renamed Clan Colquhoun
1947 sold to Panama, renamed Ioannis Livanos

SS Clan Cumming18994,8081917 torpedoed and damaged by UB-55 20 nautical miles (37 km) SW of Lizard Point[8]

1925 sold to Italy, renamed Ettore

SS Clan Cumming19377,26414 April 1941 she struck a mine and sunk off the Greek island of Aegina
SS Clan Cumming19467,8121962 scrapped
SS Clan Davidson19115,0581917 torpedoed and sunk off Scilly Isles by UC-17 (48°16′N 08°36′W / 48.267°N 8.600°W / 48.267; -8.600); loss of 14 lives[9]
SS Clan Davidson19438,067Completed for Admiralty as HMS Bonaventure

1948 returned to Clan Line, renamed Clan Davidson
1961 scrapped

SS Clan Drummond18822,9221898 foundered in heavy weather in Bay of Biscay, with the loss of 37 lives
SS Clan Farquhar18995,8581917 torpedoed and sunk off Benghazi by UB-43, with the loss of 49 lives[10]
SS Clan Farquhar19188,006ex-Delphic

1933 purchased from White Star Line, renamed Clan Farquhar
1948 scrapped

SS Clan Farquharson19629,2921968 sold to Iran, renamed Arya Sep
SS Clan Ferguson18984,8081917 torpedoed and sunk by UB-49 15 nautical miles (28 km) NW of Cap Spartel, Morocco (35°50′N 06°10′W / 35.833°N 6.167°W / 35.833; -6.167); loss of 10 lives[11]
SS Clan Ferguson19387,347Launched 22 March 1938

12 August 1942 She was both bombed by German JU88 aircraft and torpedoed by Italian submarine Alagi and sunk 20 nautical miles (37 km) N of Zembra Island. She was taking part in Operation Pedestal

SS Clan Fergusson19619,2421965 sold to Scindia Steam Navigation Company, Bombay, renamed Jalapankhi
SS Clan Finlay19629,2921968 sold to Iran, renamed Arya Far
SS Clan Forbes18822,4611903 sold to Furness, Withy & Co., renamed London City (3)
SS Clan Forbes19033,9461918 torpedoed and sunk in Mediterranean by UB-103 (31°55′N 27°50′E / 31.917°N 27.833°E / 31.917; 27.833), with the loss of 2 lives[12]
SS Clan Forbes19387,529Launched 8 September 1938

1959 scrapped

SS Clan Forbes19619,2921968 sold to Iran, renamed Arya Man
SS Clan Fraser18782,0921895 sold to Dene Steamship Co, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, renamed Oakdene
SS Clan Fraser19003,5881919 sold to Greece, renamed Aghia Paraskevi
SS Clan Fraser19387,529Launched 20 December 1938

1941 bombed at Piraeus while unloading ammunition and exploded

SS Clan Fraser19619,2921965 sold to Scindia Steam Navigation Company, Bombay, renamed Jalapalaka
SS Clan Gordon18792,0911897 wrecked Mozambique
SS Clan Gordon19003,5891919 capsized and sank off Cape Hatteras, with no loss of life
SClan Graham18822,9261905 sold to Bombay & Persia Steam Navigation Company, renamed Majdi
SS Clan Graham19075,2131918 Badly damaged in an attack by German submarine UC-74 15 nautical miles (28 km) SSE of Cape Sidero[13]

1921 sold for scrap after collision and fire in River Scheldt

SS Clan Graham19125,785ex-Cambrian Princess

1929 purchased from William Thomas Shipping Company, Cardiff, renamed Clan Graham
1935 transferred to Houston Line
1938 sold to Neil & Pandelis, London, renamed Maritima

SMVClan Graham19629,3081971 transferred to King Line

1977 reverted to Clan Line
1981 sold to Panama, renamed Candelaria

SS Clan Grant18833,5801900 sold to Russia and became whaling supply ship Michail
SS Clan Grant19023,94816 October 1914 captured and sunk by German raider Emden off the Maldives
SS Clan Grant19125,817ex-Cambrian Marchioness

1929 purchased from R.J. Thomas, Cardiff, renamed Clan Grant
1935 transferred to Houston Line
1939 sold to Stanhope Shipping Co., London, renamed Stangrant

SS Clan Grant19629,3221971 transferred to King Line

1977 reverted to Clan Line
1981 sold to Panama, renamed Enriqueta

SS Clan Keith19144,306ex-Etonian

1918 purchased from Cambrian Steam Navigation Company, renamed Clan Keith
1920 transferred to Houston Line, renamed Hilarius
1924 reverted to Clan Line renamed Clan Keith
1937 sold to Minster Steamship Company, London, renamed Orminster

SS Clan Keith19427,129ex-Ocean Verity

1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Keith
1961 exploded and sank off Tunisia, with the loss of 62 lives

SS Clan Kennedy19075,086ex-Ardgaroch

1918 purchased from Lang & Fulton, Greenock, renamed Clan Kennedy
1924 grounded off Suffolk, total loss

SS Clan Kennedy19427,143ex-Ocean Viscount

1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Kennedy
1959 sold to China, renamed Kelly

SS Clan Kenneth19095,100ex-Ardgryfe

1918 purchased from Lang & Fulton, Greenock, renamed Clan Kenneth
1934 scrapped

SS Clan Kenneth19427,132ex-Ocean Viceroy

1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Kenneth
1958 sold to Greece, renamed Omonia II

SS Clan Lamont18792,0913 May 1891 wrecked Vindiloas Point, Batticaloa, Ceylon
SS Clan Lamont19003,5941928 scrapped
SS Clan Lamont19397,673Launched 22 March 1939

1940-1948 used by Admiralty as Landing ship and later as troop ferry
1948 returned to Clan Line
1961 scrapped

SS Clan Leslie19023,9731916 torpedoed and sunk by UB-43 200 nautical miles (370 km) E of Malta (33°56′N 18°37′E / 33.933°N 18.617°E / 33.933; 18.617), with the loss of 3 lives[14]
SS Clan Lindsay18962,6681898 wrecked Cape Colony
SS Clan Lindsay19023,9351931 scrapped
SS Clan Macalister18912,2651902 sold to Furness Withy, renamed Loyalist
SS Clan Macalister19034,8351916 torpedoed and sunk by U-35 120 nautical miles (220 km) SxE of Cape Martello, Crete. There was no loss of life[15]
SS Clan Macalister19306,78729 May 1940 bombed and sunk during Dunkirk evacuation
SS Clan Macarthur18833,9841904 sold to Shah Steam Navigation Company, India, renamed Shah Jehan
SS Clan Macarthur19127,3821920 transferred to Scottish Shire Line, renamed Berwickshire

20 August 1944 torpedoed and sunk 200 nautical miles (370 km) E of Durban by U-861, with the loss of 8 lives[16]

SS Clan Macarthur193610,52812 August 1943 torpedoed and sunk by U-181 E of Madagascar, with the loss of 53 lives[17]
SS Clan Macaulay18992,8341929 scrapped
SS Clan Macaulay193610,4921961 transferred to Houston Line

1963 scrapped

SS Clan Macbean19175,0521947 sold to Goulandris Brothers, renamed Korthion
SS Clan Macbean19427,129ex-Ocean Courier

1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Macbean
1960 scrapped

SS Clan Macbeolan19124,652ex-Lord Cromer

1918 purchased from J. Herron, Liverpool, renamed Clan Macbeolan
1920 transferred to Houston Line, renamed Halesius
1936 sold to Greece, renamed Avra

SS Clan Macbeth19134,6501937 sold to Nailsea Steamship Company, Cardiff, renamed Nailsea Vale
SS Clan Macbeth19427,130ex-Ocean Glory

1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Macbeth
1959 sold to Hong Kong, renamed Madonna

SS Clan Macbrayne19164,8181943 transferred to Houston Line

1948 sold to Panama, renamed San Georgio

SS Clan Macbrayne19427,129ex-Ocean Messenger

1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Macbrayne
1960 transferred to King Line
1961 scrapped

SS Clan Macbride19124,8861937 sold to McGowan & Gross, renamed Heathcot
SS Clan Macbride19427,128ex-Ocean Gypsy
1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Macbride

1958 sold to Hong Kong, renamed Alice

SS Clan Maccorquodale19135,1211917 torpedoed and sunk by UB-51 in Mediterranean 165 nautical miles (306 km) NWxN of Alexandria[18]
SS Clan Macdonald18822,6421897 sold to Dene Steamship Company, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, renamed Briardene
SS Clan Macdonald18974,8391922 sold to Japan, renamed Hokuyo Maru
MV Clan Macdonald19286,0221929 transferred to Scottish Shire Line, renamed Stirlingshire

2 December 1940 She was part of Convoy HX-90 when she was torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic (55°36′N 16°22′W / 55.600°N 16.367°W / 55.600; -16.367) by German submarine U-94, with no loss of life[19]

SS Clan Macdonald19399,6531960 transferred to Houston Line

1970 scrapped

SS Clan Macdougall19044,7101918 torpedoed and sunk by UB-49 off Sardinia, with the loss of 33 lives[20]
MV Clan Macdougall19296,84331 May 1941 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-106 near Cape Verde Islands, with the loss of 2 lives[21]
SS Clan Macdougall19439,7101960 transferred to Houston Line

1971 sold to Cyprus renamed Vyrsi

SS Clan Macduff18702,319ex-City of Oxford

1881 purchased from George Smith & Sons, renamed Clan Macduff
1881 sank in bad weather off Ireland, with the loss of 32 lives

SS Clan Macewen19125,1401920 transferred to Scottish Shire Line, renamed Buteshire

1932 transferred to Houston Line
1948 scrapped

SS Clan Macfadyen18992,8161921 sold to Japan, renamed Shunka Maru
SS Clan Macfadyen19236,22427 November 1942 The unescorted vessel was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-508 E of Trinidad, with the loss of 82 lives[22]
SS Clan Macfadyen1944 ex Samderwent, Managed for MOWT

1947 renamed Clan Macfadyen
1958 sold to Greece, renamed Betavista

SS Clan Macfarlane18984,8231915 torpedoed and sunk by U-38 off Crete, with the loss of 52 lives[23]
SS Clan Macfarlane19226,2221940 sank after collision in Red Sea, with the loss of 41 lives
SS Clan Macfarlane19437,176Managed for MOWT

1947 renamed Clan Macfarlane
1961 sold to Lebanon, renamed Nicholas

SS Clan Macgillivray19115,0231948 sold to Hong Kong, renamed Maclock
SS Clan Macgillivray19629,0391969 transferred to King Line

1981 sold to Hong Kong renamed Clan Macboyd

SS Clan Macgowan19629,0391969 transferred to King Line

1970 sold to IndiaSS Co., renamed Indian Tribune

SS Clan Macgregor18823,0031899 sunk in collision off Portugal
SS Clan Macgregor19014,5111 June 1902 She ran aground and was wrecked at Atlas Reef, South Africa on her maiden voyage
SS Clan Macgregor19629,0391969 transferred to King Line

1977 reverted to Clan Line
1982 sold to Greece, renamed Angelika R

SS Clan Macilwraith19244,9581950 sold to F. Vinnen, Bremen, renamed Magdalene Vinnen
SS Clan Macilwraith19607,4191979 sold to Singapore, renamed Golden City
SS Clan Macindoe19204,6351943 burnt out at Alexandria
SS Clan Macindoe19597,3951979 sold to Gulf Shipping Lines, renamed Gulf Heron
SS Clan Macinnes19073,755ex-Roanoke

1907 purchased from Chesapeake & Ohio Steamship Company, renamed Clan Macinnes
1914 sold to Furness Withy, reverted to Roanoke

SS Clan Macinnes19204,6721947 sold to Noemijulia Steamship Company, London, renamed San George
SS Clan Macinnes19526,5591978 sold to Lebanon, renamed Athoub
SS Clan Macintosh18834,0531905 sold to M. Jebson, Hamburg, renamed Totti
SS Clan Macintosh19054,7741932 scrapped
MV Clan Macintosh19516,5561978 sold to Hong Kong, renamed Sanil
SS Clan Macintyre18912,5151902 sold to Ellerman Lines, renamed Bulgarian
SS Clan Macintyre19034,8071928 sold to Italy, renamed Norma
SS Clan Macintyre19516,5561976 sold to Panama, renamed Eastern Express
SS Clan Maciver19073,760ex-Rapidan

1907 purchased from Chesapeake & Ohio Steamship Company, renamed Clan Maciver
1914 sold to Furness Withy, reverted to Rapidan

SS Clan Maciver19214,6061951 sold to Costa Rica, renamed Carrena
SS Clan Maciver19587,4131979 sold to Panama, renamed Trinity Pride
SS Clan Mackay18822,1711891 wrecked Ceylon
SS Clan Mackay18942,6001913 sold to Adelaide Steamship Company, renamed Ceduna

1924 Tung Duck
1937 Chang Teh
1937 Pananis
1941 Shinyo Maru

SS Clan Mackay19165,0401918 sank after collision SW of the Scilly Isles
SS Clan Mackay19135,182ex-Sudmark, Hamburg America Line

1914 captured by Royal Navy, renamed Huntscraft
1919 purchased from Shipping Controller
1921 renamed Clan Mackay
19 October 1934 she ran aground and was wrecked near Sierra Leone at 8°30′N 13°18′W / 8.500°N 13.300°W / 8.500; -13.300

SS Clan Mackay19457,389ex-Empire Gunfleet

1946 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Mackay
1962 sold to Panama, renamed Babylon

SS Clan Mackellar19126,3821937 sold to McGowan & Gross, renamed Moorcot
SS Clan Mackellar19447,051ex-Empire Lankester

1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Mackellar
1961 sold to Hong Kong, renamed Ardgroom

SS Clan Mackendrick1943 ex-Empire Pickwick

1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Mackendrick
1961 sold to Hong Kong, renamed Ardpatrick

SS Clan Mackenzie18822,9871904 sold to Shah Steam Navigation Company, India, renamed Shah Ameer
SS Clan Mackenzie19115,0181912 She was wrecked when she ran aground near Torre Nueva, near Cadiz
SS Clan Mackenzie19176,5441918 torpedoed and damaged by German submarine UB-30 S of the Isle of Wight[24]

1937 beached after collision in Liverpool Bay, total loss

SS Clan Mackenzie19427,025ex-Empire Cato

1947 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Mackenzie, 1960 scrapped

SS Clan Mackinlay19186,4186 November 1940 She was bombed by a German HE115 seaplane and sunk off Noss, Scotland, with the loss of 5 lives
SS Clan Mackinlay19457,392ex-Empire Fawley

1946 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Mackinlay, 1962 scrapped

SS Clan Mackinnon18912,2681902 sold to Furness Withy, renamed Evangeline
SS Clan Mackinnon19024,7881927 sold to Finland, renamed Herakles
SS Clan Mackinnon19457,373ex-Empire Dunnet

1946 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Mackinnon
1955 transferred to Houston Line
1961 sold to Hong Kong, renamed Ardross

SS Clan Maclachlan19004,7291917 sunk following being run down by Italian steamer Europa when 60 nautical miles (110 km) SW of Cape Spartel off Morocco. Both ships were travelling without lights due to wartime. 6 lives were lost
SS Clan Maclachlan19466,3651971 scrapped
SS Clan Maclaren18992,8321924 sold to Japan, renamed Muroran Maru
SS Clan Maclaren19466,3891976 transferred to Houston Line in 1959

1961 reverted to Clan Line
1976 sold to Seymour Shipping Company, London, renamed Seemor

SS Clan Maclay19486,3891976 sold to Panama, renamed Climax Amethyst
SS Clan Maclean18702,329ex-City of Cambridge

1881 purchased from George Smith & Son, renamed Clan Maclean
13 August 1903 She ran aground and was wrecked in fog on Portuguese coast 6 nautical miles (11 km) N of Cape St. Vincent, with no loss of life

SS Clan Maclean19054,6761919 wrecked on Comoros Islands, with no loss of life
SS Clan Maclean19476,0171976 sold to Singapore, renamed Sentosa Island
SS Clan Maclennan19476,3661971 scrapped
SS Clan Macleod18712,290ex-City of Mecca

1881 purchased from George Smith & Son, renamed Clan Macleod
1883 sold to Stephen in part payment for new ship and resold to Sloman Line, Hamburg, renamed Procida

SS Clan Macleod18912,5071902 sold to Ellerman Lines, renamed Bosnian
SS Clan Macleod19034,7961915 shelled and sunk by U-33 at position 35°39′N 16°43′E / 35.650°N 16.717°E / 35.650; 16.717 E of Malta, with the loss of 12 lives[25]
SS Clan Macleod19486,0731976 sold to Cyprus, renamed Papaji
SS Clan Macmaster19176,56330 September 1923 She was wrecked on Thousla Rock, Calf of Man, on voyage from Clydebank to Liverpool with a general cargo
SS Clan Macmillan19014,5251917 torpedoed and sunk by UB-39 in English Channel at 50°41′N 00°01′W / 50.683°N 0.017°W / 50.683; -0.017[26]
SS Clan Macmillan19186,6081924 wrecked in Bay of Bengal, with no loss of life
SS Clan Macnab18912,2661903 sold to Furness Withy, renamed St. John City
SS Clan Macnab19044,6751918 torpedoed and sunk by U-113 off Land's End at 50°20′N 05°55′W / 50.333°N 5.917°W / 50.333; -5.917, with the loss of 22 lives[27]
SS Clan Macnab19206,1141941 sank after collision near Cape Verde Islands
SS Clan Macnab19619,4281980 sold to Panama, renamed New Eagle
SS Clan Macnair19216,0941952 scrapped
SS Clan Macnair19629,4011980 sold to Singapore, renamed Lichiang
SS Clan Macnaughton19114,9851915 disappeared at sea in Atlantic while serving as Armed Merchant Cruiser - presumed mined, with the loss of 281 lives
SS Clan Macnaughton19216,1101 August 1942 the unescorted vessel was torpedoed and sunk E of Trinidad by German submarine U-155, with the loss of 5 lives[28]
SS Clan Macneil18912,4211902 sold to Ellerman Lines, renamed Belgravian
SS Clan Macneil19033,9391918 torpedoed and sunk by UC-34 off Alexandria at 31°21′N 29°47′E / 31.350°N 29.783°E / 31.350; 29.783[29]
SS Clan Macneil19216,1111952 scrapped
SS Clan Macphee19115,17716 August 1940 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic by U-30, with the loss of 67 lives[30]
SS Clan Macpherson18833,9891905 sold to M. Jebson, Hamburg, renamed Hanna
SS Clan Macpherson19054,7791918 torpedoed and sunk by UC-27 off North Africa at 37°47′N 09°05′E / 37.783°N 9.083°E / 37.783; 9.083, with the loss of 20 lives[31]
SS Clan Macpherson19296,9401 May 1943 torpedoed and sunk by U-515 off Freetown, with the loss of 4 lives[32]
SS Clan Macquarrie'19135,06013 June 1942 sunk by Italian submarine Leonardo da Vinci at 05°30′N 23°30′W / 5.500°N 23.500°W / 5.500; -23.500 west of Freetown
SS Clan Macquarrie19427,131ex-Ocean Wayfarer

1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Macquarrie
1953 scrapped after going aground in a storm on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland at the village of Borve. 66 crew were rescued by villagers[33]

SS Clan Macqueen19427,131ex-Ocean Vesper

1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Macqueen
1954 transferred to Houston Line, renamed Herminius
1958 sold to Panama, renamed Ekberg

SS Clan Macrae18922,510ex-Shatt el Arab

1894 taken over with Persian Gulf Steamship Company, renamed Clan Macrae
1900 sold to Chadwick Steamship Company, renamed Carmelite

SS Clan Macrae19115,0581921 transferred to Scottish Shire Line, renamed Banffshire

1932 transferred to Houston Line
29 September 1943 torpedoed and sunk off Maldives by U-532. Only 1 crew member was killed[34]

SS Clan Macrae19429,209ex-Empire Might

1946 purchased from Ministry of War Transport, renamed Clan Macrae
1959 transferred to Bullard King & Co., renamed Umgeni
1960 transferred to Springbok Line, renamed Gembok
1961 transferred to Safmarine, renamed South African Financier
1962 scrapped

SS Clan Mactaggart19207,6031935 transferred to Scottish Shire Line

16 November 1942 torpedoed and sunk by U-92 NW of Gibraltar, with the loss of 3 lives[35]

SS Clan Mactaggart19498,0351971 scrapped
SS Clan Mactavish19125,8161916 shelled and sunk by German raider Möwe off Madeira, with the loss of 18 lives
SS Clan Mactavish19207,6198 October 1942 torpedoed and sunk by U-159 in Indian Ocean, with the loss of 61 lives[36]
SS Clan Mactavish19498,0351971 scrapped
SS Clan Macvey19185,8301918 torpedoed and sunk in English Channel on maiden voyage by UB-57[37]
SS Clan Macvicar19185,8151936 sold to Counties Ship Management, London, renamed Dover Hill

On 9 June 1944 during the Normandy landings she was scuttled on the coast of Normandy as a Corn cob block ship for a Gooseberry Harbour.

SS Clan Macwhirter19187,062ex-Ypresville

1919 purchased from Lloyd Royal Belge by Houston Line, renamed Halizones
1920 sold to Convoy Steamship Company, Liverpool, renamed Willcasino
1922 reverted to Houston Line
1923 transferred to Clan Line, renamed Clan Macwhirter
27 August 1942 torpedoed and sunk by U-156 N of Madeira (35°45′N 18°45′W / 35.750°N 18.750°W / 35.750; -18.750), with the loss of 10 lives[38]

SS Clan Macwilliam19187,2341927 burnt out at Vavau, Friendly Islands
SS Clan Malcolm19165,99426 September 1935 She struck Tregwin Rocks in thick fog and was wrecked near Lizard Point
SS Clan Malcolm19577,6861979 sold to Panama, renamed Trinity Fair
SS Clan Matheson18833,9171905 sold to M. Jebson, Hamburg, renamed Mariechen
SS Clan Matheson19054,77514 September 1914 captured and sunk by German raider Emden in the Bay of Bengal
SS Clan Matheson19175,9601918 sank after collision in mid Atlantic
SS Clan Matheson19195,6131948 transferred to Houston Line, renamed Harmodius

1951 sold to Heron Steamship Co, London, renamed Claire T
1953 sold to Romney Steamship Co.
1955 sold to Ministry of Transport
Scuttled on 27 July 1955 as part of Operation Sandcastle

SS Clan Matheson19577,5851978 scrapped
SS Clan Menzies18962,6691925 sold to A. Ardito, Genoa, renamed Nostra Signora di Coronata
SS Clan Menzies19387,556Launched 15 June

27 July 1940 torpedoed and sunk off Ireland by U-99, with the loss of 6 lives[39]

SS Clan Menzies19588,0001979 sold to Panama, renamed Trinity Splendour
SS Clan Monroe18812,1971897 sold to Dene Steamship Co, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, renamed Cedardene
SS Clan Monroe18974,8531905 wrecked near Cape Town
SS Clan Monroe19185,9191940 she struck mine off Harwich whilst acting as auxiliary transport. She was taken in tow and beached in Hollesley Bay. She was declared a total loss, with the loss of 13 lives
SS Clan Morrison19185,93124 February 1940 She struck a mine en route from Southampton to Blyth, Northumberland and sunk in the North Sea
SS Clan Murdoch19195,9301948 transferred to Houston Line, renamed Halesius

1952 sold to Panama, renamed Jan Kiki

SS Clan Murdoch19467,375Completed as Hesperia for Houston Line

1960 transferred to Clan Line, renamed Clan Murdoch
1962 sold to Turkey, renamed Mustafa

SS Clan Murray18812,108ex-Muriel

1882 purchased from W. Ritchie, Aberdeen, renamed Clan Murray
1897 sold to Dene Steamship Co, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, renamed Olivedene

SS Clan Murray18974,8351917 torpedoed and sunk by UC-55 off Fastnet (50°57′N 10°21′W / 50.950°N 10.350°W / 50.950; -10.350), with the loss of 64 lives[40]
SS Clan Murray19185,9261949 transferred to Houston Line, renamed Halizones

1952 scrapped

SS Clan Murray19467,301Completed as Hesperides for Houston Line

1960 transferred to Clan Line, renamed Clan Murray
1960 scrapped

SS Clan Ogilvie18822,4251888 wrecked off Corsica
SS Clan Ogilvy18962,6411913 sold to Japan, renamed Taiyo Maru
SS Clan Ogilvy19145,8021938 transferred to Houston Line

30 June 1940 As part of Convoy SL-36, she was attacked and damaged by U-65. She was repaired and returned to service in October 1940
21 March 1941 torpedoed and sunk NW of Dakar by U-105 at 20°04′N 25°45′W / 20.067°N 25.750°W / 20.067; -25.750, with the loss of 61 lives[41]

SS Clan Ramsay196510,5421977 transferred to Union-Castle Line, renamed Winchester Castle
SS Clan Ranald18782,0481899 sold to Ranald Steamship Co, Glasgow, renamed Ranald
SS Clan Ranald19003,5961909 capsized and sank off the SE coast of Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
SS Clan Ranald19175,5031943 transferred to Houston Line

1947 sold to Malta, renamed Valletta City

SS Clan Ranald196410,5411976 transferred to Union-Castle Line, renamed Dover Castle
SS Clan Robertson18974,8261922 sold to Japan, renamed Kyosei Maru
SS Clan Robertson19197,976ex-Otaki

1934 purchased from New Zealand Shipping Company, renamed Clan Robertson
1938 sold to Stanhope Shipping Co, London, renamed Stanfleet
Later sold to Blue Star Line and became Pacific Star

SS Clan Robertson19547,8781959 transferred to Bullard King & Co., renamed Umzinto

1960 transferred to Springbok Line, renamed Rooibok
1961 transferred to Safmarine, renamed South African Shipper
1966 renamed S.A.Shipper
1975 scrapped

MV Clan Robertson196510,5411976 transferred to Union-Castle Line, renamed Balmoral Castle
1982 renamed Balmoral Universal
1982 sold and renamed Psara Reefer

19 Jun 1984 scrapped[42]

SS Clan Ross18942,6041914 sold to Adelaide Steamship Company, renamed Cantara
SS Clan Ross19145,8971918 torpedoed and damaged in an attack by UB-48 28 nautical miles (52 km) E of Cape Camerat, France[43]

1938 transferred to Houston Line
2 April 1942 torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-6 300 nautical miles (560 km) SW of Bombay, with the loss of 11 lives. She was en route from Liverpool to Cochin

SS Clan Ross19567,6981960 transferred to Houston Line

1961 transferred to Safmarine, renamed South African Scientist
1962 transferred to Union-Castle Line, renamed Kinnaird Castle

SS Clan Ross196610,5421976 transferred to Union-Castle Line, renamed Kinpurnie Castle
SS Clan Shaw18963,442ex-Imperialist

1896 purchased from Angier Bros, London, renamed Clan Shaw
1898 sold to F & W. Ritson, Sunderland, renamed Vine Branch

SS Clan Shaw19023,9431917 mined by UC-29. She was beached and declared a total loss 8 nautical miles (15 km) NE of St.Andrews, near Dundee, with the loss of 2 lives[44]
SS Clan Shaw19508,1011960 transferred to Springbok Line, renamed Steenbok

1961 transferred to Safmarine, renamed South African Seafarer
1966 wrecked Cape Town

SS Clan Sinclair18822,9611905 sold to Bombay & Persia SN Co., renamed Rahmani
SS Clan Sinclair19075,2151933 scrapped
SS Clan Sinclair19508,3861960 transferred to Springbok Line, renamed Bosbok

1961 transferred to Safmarine, renamed South African Statesman
1966 renamed S.A.Statesman
1972 scrapped

SS Clan Skene19185,2571920 transferred to Houston Line, renamed Halocrates

1923 reverted to Clan Skene
10 May 1940 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic by U-333, with the loss of 9 lives[45]

SS Clan Stewart19548,1631961 transferred to Safmarine, renamed South African Sculptor

1962 transferred to Union-Castle Line, renamed Kinpurnie Castle

SS Clan Stuart18792,1151900 sold to India, renamed Rander Reunion
SS Clan Stuart'19003,59421 November 1914 She ran aground and was wrecked after her anchors dragged in a SE storm at Simons Bay, South Africa on Government Transport work. All crew survived, but the ship was a total loss.
SS Clan Stuart19165,7551940 sank after collision off Start Point
SS Clan Sutherland18962,82017 April 1917 She was torpedoed and damaged by UC-66 18 nautical miles (33 km) SE of Start Point[46]

1921 sold to Japan, renamed Shinshu Maru

SS Clan Sutherland19508,4361971 sold to China National Machinery Import & Export Corp, China and arrived 10 November 1971 at Hsinkang for scrapping
SS Clan Urquhart18995,8551929 sold to Retzlaff, Rostock, renamed Generaldirektor Sonnenschein
SS Clan Urquhart19119,564ex-Argyllshire

1917 taken with Scottish Shire Line
1933 transferred to Clan Line, renamed Clan Urquhart
1936 scrapped

SS Clan Urquhart19439,7261960 transferred to Houston Line

1966 scrapped

Legacy

35028 Clan Line

It was one of the shipping companies commemorated by the Merchant Navy class of Southern Railway locomotives. Locomotive number 35028 built in 1948 carries the name "Clan Line" and is currently maintained in fully operational condition for hauling excursion trains on the UK's national railway system.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ships of the Clan Line.

Despite the above list, not all vessels were steamers: for example Clan Graham, built 1962, had a very big Diesel engine inside it. I know this because I worked on it as a cadet in 1967. (Anon).

External links

References

  1. Allan, Bruce. "Argyllshire". Clydebuilt Database. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  2. "SS Ayrshire". clydesite.co.uk. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  3. "U60 sinks Clan Alpine".
  4. "U-107 sinks Clan Alpine".
  5. "UB58 sinks Clan Cameron".
  6. "U39 sinks Clan Campbell".
  7. "U48 sinks Clan Chisholm".
  8. "UB-55 torpedoes Clan Cumming".
  9. "UC17 sinks Clan Davidson".
  10. "UB43 sinks Clan Farquhar".
  11. "UB49 sinks Clan Ferguson".
  12. "UB103 sinks Clan Forbes".
  13. "UC74 damages Clan Graham".
  14. "UB43 sinks Clan Leslie".
  15. "U35 sinks Clan Macalister".
  16. "U861 sinks Berwickshire".
  17. "U181 sinks Clan Macarthur".
  18. "UB51 sinks Clan Maccorquodale".
  19. "U94 sinks Stirlingshire".
  20. "UB49 sinks Clan Macdougall".
  21. "U106 sinks Clan Macdougall".
  22. "U508 sinks Clan Macfadyen".
  23. "U38 sinks Clan Macfarlane".
  24. "UB30 damages Clan Mackenzie".
  25. "U33 sinks Clan Macleod".
  26. "UB39 sinks Clan Macmillan".
  27. "U113 sinks Clan Macnab".
  28. "U155 sinks Clan Macnaughton".
  29. "UC34 sinks Clan Macneil".
  30. "U30 sinks Clan Macphee".
  31. "UC27 sinks Clan Macpherson".
  32. "U515 sinks Clan Macpherson".
  33. "About Clan Macquarrie".
  34. "U532 sinks Banffshire".
  35. "U92 sinks Clan Mactaggart".
  36. "U-159 sinks Clan Mactavish".
  37. "UB57 sinks Clan Macvey".
  38. "U156 sinks Clan Macwhirter".
  39. "U99 sinks Clan Menzies".
  40. "UC55 sinks Clan Murray".
  41. "U105 sinks Clan Ogilvy".
  42. http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=16224
  43. "UB48 damages Clan Ross".
  44. "Clan Shaw mined".
  45. "U333 sinks Clan Skene".
  46. "Clan Sutherland damaged".
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