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The Fleets
Union-Castle
Mail S.S. Company
 Formed 1900 by the merger of Union SS Co. and
the Castle
Mail Packet Co. 1912
Royal Mail group took over control of the company. 1919 Bullard King & Co.'s
Natal Direct Line taken over. After the collapse of the Royal Mail group in
1931, Union-Castle Line was left with heavy financial commitments and took
several years to achieve recovery and become an independent company again.
The King Line was taken over in 1949 and in 1956 a new company was formed -
British & Commonwealth Shipping Co. Ltd. by the merger of Union-Castle, Bullard
King and Clan Lines. British & Commonwealth
combined with South African Marine Corp. Ltd. in 1973 to become International
Liner Services Ltd. but air travel
was rapidly replacing ships and by 1982 the company had
withdrawn from shipowning.
Routes:
- 1900-1977 Southampton - Madeira - Cape Town - Port Elizabeth - Durban - Port Elizabeth - Cape
Town - St.Helena (occasional) - Ascension (occasional) - Las Palmas (occasional) -
Southampton.
- 1900-1979 cargo service South Africa - USA (usually New York)
- 1900-1908 London - Walvis Bay - Cape Town - Port Elizabeth - East London - Durban -
Mauritius.
- 1906-1939 cargo feeder service Southampton - London - Antwerp - Rotterdam - Bremen -
Hamburg.
- 1908-1910 London Walvis Bay - Cape Town - Port Elizabeth - East London - Durban - Dar-es-Salaam - Mombasa and reverse.
- 1908-1914 Day excursions Cape Town - Simonstown (return by rail)
- 1910-1914, 1919-1922 London - Suez - Mombasa.
- 1910-1961 Round Africa service: London - Southampton - Gibraltar - Tangier (occasional) -
Palma de Majorca (occasional) - Marseilles - Genoa/Naples - Tunis (occasional) - Suez - Port
Sudan (occasional) - Aden - Mombasa - Zanzibar - Dar-es-Salaam - Beira - Lourenco Marques -
Durban - East London - Port Elizabeth - Cape Town - Southampton. (and reverse)
- 1910-1939 Southampton - Cape Town - Port Elizabeth - East London - Durban - Delagoa Bay -
Lourenco Marques (occasional) - Mombasa.
- 1920-1982 cargo service Continent - UK - South Africa - UK.
- 1927-1949 Beira based feeder service: Zanzibar - Dar-es-Salaam - Inter ports - Beira - Durban.
- 1947-1949 Southampton - Cape Town direct.
- 1950-1959 London - Las Palmas - Ascension - St. Helena - Cape Town - Durban - Beira.
- 1962-1967 London - Gibraltar - Genoa - Port Said - Port Suez - Aden - Mombasa - Zanzibar -
Dar-es-Salaam - Beira - Durban - Lourenco Marques - Tanga - Naples - Marseilles - London.
- 1964-1975 cruising.
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 (on-site) ot the Immigrant
Ship web site.
Funnel:
Red, black top.
Fleet:
for ships built before 1900 see Union
SS Co. and Castle Line.
|
|
 |
Union
1872-1900
Union-Castle 1900-1979 |
| Vessel |
Built |
Years in Service |
Tons |
| Alnwick Castle |
1901 |
1917 torpedoed and sunk 300 miles from Bishops Rock; loss
of 40 lives. |
5,893 |
| Armadale Castle
(2) |
1903 |
1936 scrapped. |
12,973 |
| Aros Castle |
1901 |
1917 torpedoed and sunk 300 miles W of Bishops Rock. |
4,460 |
| Arundel Castle
(4) |
1921 |
1958 scrapped. |
19,023 |
| Athlone Castle |
1934 |
1965 scrapped. |
25,564 |
| Balmoral Castle
(2) |
1910 |
1939 scrapped. |
13,361 |
| Balmoral Castle
(3) |
1965 |
ex- Clan Robertson, 1976 renamed
Balmoral Castle, 1979 renamed Balmoral Universal, 1982 sold to Greece,
renamed Psara
Reefer. |
7,952 |
| Bampton Castle |
1920 |
1932 sold to Greece, renamed Atlantis. |
6,698 |
| Banbury Castle |
1918 |
ex- Glenstrae, 1920 purchased
from Glen Line, renamed Banbury Castle, 1931 sold to Greece, renamed Rokos. |
6,430 |
| Bellona |
1901 |
1912 tender at Algoa Bay, 1912 wrecked Cape Hangklip. |
117 |
| Berwick Castle |
1902 |
1919 burnt out at Mombasa, sold to Italy. |
5,883 |
| Bloemfontein
Castle |
1950 |
1959 sold to Greece, renamed Patris. |
18,400 |
| Braemar Castle
(2) |
1943 |
ex- Empire Duchess, 1949 purchased
from Ministry of Transport, renamed Braemar Castle, 1950 transferred to
King Line, renamed King James, 1958
sold to Hong Kong, renamed Tyne Breeze. |
7,067 |
| Braemar Castle
(3) |
1952 |
1966 scrapped. |
17,029 |
| Bratton Castle |
1920 |
1931 sold to Greece, renamed Proteus. |
6,696 |
| Capetown Castle |
1938 |
1967 scrapped. |
27,000 |
| Carlisle Castle |
1913 |
ex- Holtye, 1915 purchased from
F.S. Holland & Co.,
London, renamed Carlisle Castle, 1918 torpedoed and sunk in English Channel. |
4,325 |
| Carlow Castle |
1917 |
1930 sold to Mitchell, Cotts & Co., renamed Cape St.
Columba. |
5,833 |
| Carnarvon Castle
(2) |
1926 |
1963 scrapped. |
20,122 |
| Cawdor Castle |
1902 |
1926 went ashore South West Africa total loss. |
6,235 |
| Chepstow Castle |
1913 |
ex- Anglo-Brazilian, 1915 purchased
from Nitrate Producers Ltd., renamed Chepstow Castle, 1933 scrapped. |
7,494 |
| Cluny Castle
(3) |
1903 |
1924 transferred to Bullard King,
renamed Umkuzi. |
5,147 |
| Comrie Castle |
1903 |
1924 transferred to Bullard King,
renamed Umvoti. |
5,167 |
| Corfe Castle |
1901 |
1927 sold to W. Schuchmann, Hamburg, renamed Ostee. |
4,592 |
| Crawford Castle |
1910 |
ex- Hova, 1917 purchased from
F.S. Holland, London, renamed Crawford Castle, 1930 sold to W. Kunstmann,
Stettin, renamed Victoria W.
Kunstmann. |
4,264 |
| Dover Castle (2) |
1904 |
1917 torpedoed and sunk in Mediterranean while hospital
ship. |
8,271 |
| Dover Castle
(3) |
1964 |
ex- Clan Ranald, 1976 renamed
Dover Castle, 1979 renamed Dover Universal, 1981 sold to Greece, renamed
Golden
Sea. |
7,950 |
| Drakensburg
Castle |
1945 |
ex- Empire Allenby, 1946 purchased
from Ministry of Transport, renamed Drakensburg Castle, 1959 scrapped. |
9,905 |
| Dromore Castle |
1919 |
launched as War Poplar, completed as Dromore Castle, 1942
mined and sunk off River Humber. |
5,242 |
| Dunbar Castle
(2) |
1930 |
1940 mined and sunk off Ramsgate. |
10,002 |
| Dundrum Castle |
1919 |
1943 caught fire and sank in Red Sea. |
5,259 |
| Dunluce Castle
(2) |
1904 |
1939 sold for scrapping but purchased by the Admiralty for
use as accommodation ship. |
8,114 |
| Dunnottar Castle |
1936 |
1958 sold to Incres SS Co, Monrovia, renamed Victoria. |
15,002 |
| Dunvegan Castle
(2) |
1936 |
1940 torpedoed and sunk off Ireland; loss of 27 lives. |
15,007 |
| Durban Castle |
1938 |
1962 scrapped. |
17,382 |
| Durham Castle |
1904 |
1939 acquired by the Admiralty for accommodation ship, 1940
mined and sunk off Cromarty. |
8,217 |
| Edinburgh Castle
(2) |
1910 |
1940 sold to Admiralty as accommodation ship at Freetown,
1945 scuttled. |
13,326 |
| Edinburgh Castle
(3) |
1947 |
1976 scrapped. |
28,700 |
| Edinburgh Universal |
1979 |
ex- Polar Honduras (Hamburg-Sud),
1981 leased from Barclays Mercantile Finance Co renamed Edinburgh Universal,
1984
transferred to Hong Kong renamed Caspian Universal. |
9,996 |
| Eider |
1900 |
1926 purchased from Royal
Mail SP Co., Southampton - Bremen - Hamburg feeder service, 1936
sold to J. Billmeir, renamed Stanhill. |
1,236 |
| Galway Castle |
1911 |
1918 torpedoed and sunk near Plymouth; loss of 143 lives. |
7,988 |
| Garth Castle
(2) |
1910 |
1939 scrapped. |
7,612 |
| Glenart Castle |
|
see Galician, Union SS Co. |
|
| Glengorm Castle |
|
see German, Union SS Co. |
|
| Gloucester
Castle |
1911 |
1942 sunk by German commerce raider off Ascension; loss
of 93 lives. |
7,999 |
| Good Hope
Castle (1) |
1945 |
ex- Empire Life, 1946 purchased
from Ministry of Transport, renamed Good Hope Castle, 1959 scrapped. |
9,905 |
| Good Hope
Castle (2) |
1965 |
1978 sold to Italy, renamed Franca C. |
10,500 |
| Gordon Castle |
1901 |
1924 scrapped. |
4,408 |
| Grantully Castle
(2) |
1910 |
1939 scrapped. |
7,612 |
| Guildford Castle |
1911 |
1933 beached after collision in Elbe with Blue
Funnel Line's STENTOR. Total loss. |
7,995 |
| Hansa |
1904 |
1907 transferred from Liverpool-Hamburg
Line, 1937 sold to J. Billmeir, renamed Stanray. |
880 |
| Helius |
1888 |
ex- Dresden, (North
German Lloyd)
1903 purchased by Houston Line,
renamed Helius, 1904 purchased by Union-Castle, 1906 sold to Turkey,
renamed
Tirimujghian. |
4,579 |
| Incomati |
1920 |
1924 purchased from Portuguese
Government, East Africa feeder service, 1928 sold to Portugal. |
340 |
| Iolaire |
1902 |
Sir Donald Currie's yacht, used as
officer cadet training ship. 1914-1918 HMS Iolaire anti submarine patrol
ship, 1939 became
HMS Persephone, 1948 scrapped. |
999 |
| IPU |
1905 |
1915 purchased from Brazil, East Africa
coastal service, 1923 sold to Glendinning SS Co., London, renamed
Chyko. |
686 |
| Kenilworth
Castle (2) |
1904 |
1936 scrapped. |
12,975 |
| Kenilworth
Castle (3) |
1944 |
ex- Empire Wilson, 1946 purchased
from Ministry of Transport, renamed Kenilworth Castle, 1968 scrapped. |
9,916 |
| Kenya Castle |
1951 |
1967 sold to Greece, renamed Amerikanis. |
17,040 |
| Kinnaird Castle |
1956 |
ex- Clan Ross, ex- South African Scientist, renamed Kinnaird
Castle, 1962 reverted to Clan
Line, 1969 transferred to King Line, 1975 sold to Panama,
renamed Nazeer. |
7,718 |
| Kinpurnie Castle
(1) |
1954 |
ex- Clan Stewart, ex- South African Sculptor, 1961 transferred
from Safmarine (S.A Marine Corp) renamed Kinpurnie Castle, 1967 sold to
Panama, renamed Hellenic
Med. |
8,121 |
| Kinpurnie Castle
(2) |
1966 |
ex- Clan Ross, 1976 transferred
from Houston Line, renamed Kinpurnie Castle, 1979 renamed Kinpurnie Universal,
1982
sold to Greece, renamed Syros Reefer. |
7,950 |
| Koodoo (2) |
1924 |
tug at East London, 1937 sold
to South African
Railways. |
119 |
| Leasowe Castle |
1917 |
1918 torpedoed and sunk in Mediterranean while trooping;
loss of 92 lives. |
8,106 |
| Llandaff Castle |
1926 |
1942 torpedoed and sunk off Zanzibar while trooping. |
10,786 |
| Llandovery
Castle (1) |
1914 |
1918 torpedoed and sunk while hospital ship west of Fastnet.
234 lives lost when U. Boat shelled the lifeboats. |
10,639 |
| Llandovery
Castle (2) |
1925 |
1953 scrapped. |
10,640 |
| Llangibby Castle |
1929 |
1954 scrapped. |
11,951 |
| Llanstephan
Castle |
1914 |
1952 scrapped. |
11,348 |
| Lochgair |
1888 |
1901 acquired as tender at Port Elizabeth,
1905 sold to J.G. Stewart, Glasgow, renamed Loch Gair (two words) |
111 |
| Machrie |
1900 |
S.A. coastal service, 1905 sold to Hamilton, Tenerife. |
251 |
| Newark Castle |
1902 |
1908 went ashore Zululand total loss. |
6,224 |
| Pendennis Castle |
1958 |
1976 sold to Philippines (Panama flag), renamed Ocean Queen. |
28,582 |
| Polglass Castle |
1903 |
ex- Reichenfels, (Hansa
Line) 1914 captured by Britain,
1916 managed by Union-Castle renamed Polglass Castle, 1921 sold to Hansa Line,
renamed Reichenfels. |
4,631 |
| Pretoria Castle
(1) |
1939 |
1942 sold to Admiralty rebuilt as aircraft carrier, 1946
re-purchased by Union-Castle, renamed Warwick Castle (4), 1962 scrapped. |
17,383 |
| Pretoria Castle
(2) |
1948 |
1966 transferred to South African Marine Corp., renamed
S.A.Oranje, 1975 scrapped. |
28,705 |
| Reina Del Mar |
1956 |
(ex-Pacific Steam Nav. Co),
1964-1973 chartered by Union-Castle for cruising, 1973 purchased by Union-Castle,
1975
scrapped. |
20,263 |
| Rhodesia Castle |
1951 |
1967 scrapped. |
17,041 |
| Richmond Castle
(1) |
1938 |
1942 torpedoed and sunk in North Atlantic. |
7,798 |
| Richmond Castle
(2) |
1944 |
1971 scrapped. |
7,971 |
| Riebeeck Castle |
1946 |
1971 scrapped. |
8,322 |
| Ripley Castle |
1917 |
ex- War Soldier, 1919 purchased
from shipping controller, renamed Ripley Castle, 1931 scrapped. |
7,521 |
| Rochester Castle |
1937 |
1970 sold to Cyprus, renamed Glenda and scrapped. |
7,795 |
| Roslin Castle
(3) |
1935 |
1967 scrapped. |
7,016 |
| Rosyth Castle |
1918 |
ex- War Earl, 1919 purchased
from shipping controller, renamed Rosyth Castle, 1920 transferred
to Bullard
King & Co.,
renamed Umlazi. |
4,328 |
| Rotherwick
Castle (2) |
1959 |
1975 sold to Liberia, renamed Sea Fortune. |
9,650 |
| Rothesay Castle
(1) |
1935 |
1940 went ashore on Scottish coast, total loss. |
7.016 |
| Rothesay Castle
(2) |
1960 |
1975 sold to Uruguay, renamed Laura. |
9,650 |
| Rovuma |
1927 |
1949 East Africa coastal service, 1949 sold to Colonial
SS Ltd, Mauritius, renamed Floreal. |
1,289 |
| Rowallan Castle
(1) |
1939 |
1942 bombed and sunk in Mediterranean. |
7,798 |
| Rowallan Castle
(2) |
1943 |
1971 scrapped. |
7,950 |
| Roxburgh Castle
(1) |
1937 |
1943 torpedoed and sunk in North Atlantic. |
7,801 |
| Roxburgh Castle
(2) |
1944 |
1971 scrapped. |
8,003 |
| Rustenberg
Castle |
1946 |
1971 scrapped. |
8,322 |
| Sandgate Castle |
1922 |
1937 caught fire and sank NE of Bermuda. |
7,607 |
| Sandown Castle |
1921 |
1950 scrapped. |
7,607 |
| Southampton
Castle |
1965 |
1978 sold to Italy, renamed Paola C. |
10,538 |
| Stirling Castle
(2) |
1936 |
1966 scrapped. |
25,550 |
| Stirling Universal |
1979 |
ex- Hilco Speedster
(Larsen. Oslo), 1981 leased frpm Lombard Facilities Ltd, London renamed
Stirling
Universal, 1984
transferred to Hong Kong renamed Speedster Universal. |
9,065 |
| Stork |
1905 |
tender at East London, 1942 sold to South African
Government. |
278 |
| Tantallon Castle
(3) |
1953 |
1971 sold to Cyprus, renamed Aris II. |
7,448 |
| Tintagel Castle
(2) |
1954 |
1971 sold to Cyprus, renamed Armar. |
7,447 |
| Transvaal Castle |
|
1961 - 1966 transferred to South African Marine Corp., renamed S.A.
Vaal, 1977 sold to Carnival Cruise Line, Miami, renamed Festivale. |
32,697 |
| Walmer Castle
(2) |
1902 |
1932 scrapped. |
12,546 |
| Walmer Castle
(3) |
1936 |
1941 Southampton - Bremen - Hamburg feeder service, 1941
bombed and sunk in Atlantic while convoy rescue ship. |
906 |
| Warwick Castle
(3) |
1930 |
1942 torpedoed and sunk off Portugal. |
20,445 |
| Warwick Castle (4) |
|
see Pretoria Castle (1) |
|
| Winchester
Castle (1) |
1930 |
1960 scrapped. |
20,109 |
| Winchester
Castle (2) |
1964 |
ex- Clan Ramsey, 1977 - 1979 built in 1964, 1977 renamed
Winchester Castle, 1979 renamed Winchester Universal, 1980 sold to Greece,
renamed
Lady
Madonna. |
7,950 |
| Windsor Castle
(2) |
1915 |
1943 sunk in air attack off Algiers. |
18,967 |
| Windsor Castle
(3) |
1960 |
1977 sold to J. Latsis, Piraeus, renamed Margarita
L. |
37,640 |
| York Castle |
1901 |
1924 sold to Italy, renamed San Terenzo. |
5,517 |
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