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The Fleets

Donaldson Line

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. If you would like to know more about a vessel, visit the Ship Descriptions (onsite) or Immigrant Ship web site.

Funnel:
1870-1880 Red funnel with white band and black top
1880-1967 Black with white band.

Fleet:

1870-1880 1880-1967
    Sailing Ships  
Vessel Built Years in Service Tons
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
    Steamships  
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
    Managed Ships  
Vessel Built Years in Service Tons
Empire Arquebus 1943 1944 managed for MOWT, 1944-1945 converted to Infantry Landing Ship renamed Cicero, 1945-1946 to Donaldson Line management renamed Empire Arquebus, 1946 returned to USA, sold to Egypt renamed Al Sudan. 7,177
Empire Bardolph 1942 1943-1945 managed for MOWT, 1945 sold to Lamport & Holt renamed Memling. 7,063
Empire Condor 1940 1941-1942 managed for MOWT, 1942 returned to USA renamed Almeria Lykes. 7,773
Empire Curlew 1940 1941-1942 managed for MOWT, 1942 returned to USA renamed Robin Doncaster. 7,101
Empire Kangaroo   see Parthenia (3)  
Empire Pickwick 1943 1943-1946 managed for MOWT, 1946 management transferred to Clan Line, 1948 renamed Clan Mackendrick. 7,068
Empire Redshank 1919 1941-1943 managed for MOWT, 1943 torpedoed in Atlantic and subsequently sunk by gunfire from HMS TRILLIUM. 6,615
Empire Spring 1941 1941-1942 managed for MOWT, 1942 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic; loss of 40 lives. 6,946
Empire Whale 1941 1941-1943 managed for MOWT, 1943 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic. 6,159
Ocean Wanderer 1942 1942-1946 managed for MOWT, 1946 management transferred to Bolton SS Co. 7,178
Samfinn 1944 1944-1947 managed for MOWT, 1947 returned to USA. 7,255
Samhorn 1944 1944-1948 managed for MOWT, 1948 returned to USA. 7,253
Samtrusty   see Lakonia (2)  
War Emu   see Tritonia (3)  
War Ostrich 1918 1918 - 1919 managed for the Shipping Controller, London, 1919 to G. C. Gibson, London renamed Cutcombe. 5,264
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