Showing 151 results

Archival description
GB 0064 GSN · Collection · [1824-1970]

Records of the General Steam Navigation Co Ltd. They consist of: minutes of the Board, 1824 to 1859, 1861 to 1893, 1896 to 1970; minutes of the managing committee of the Board, 1833; Deeds of Settlement and printed extracts from Acts of Parliament relating to the company, 1825, 1840, 1845, 1874; two commercial agreements with other companies, 1874, 1906; Directors' half-yearly reports to shareholders, with balance sheets, 1825 to 1906; profit and loss accounts, 1896 to 1924; Employee Record of Service Book, 1850 to 1914; circulars and instructions to staff, 1874, 1875, 1884, 1903; Sailing Bills, 1839, 1844, 1874, 1875, 1939; books of time tables, 1876 to 1914; notes on various ships in the company, 1842 to 1904; copies of Certificates of British Registry, 1836 to 1965. Only a small amount of correspondence survives, including several letters to and from the Board, 1832 to 1922; some items concerning the working of the Holland to Hamburg mail contract, 1834, and a few letters from shareholders, 1902, 1906 and 1916 to 1920. There are also documents recording the history of the Company, including records of General Steam Navigation Company ships and men in the two world wars, copies of parliamentary papers, newspaper cuttings and photographs. In addition, there are records of three companies acquired by G.S.N. Moss Hutchinson Line Limited: the records consist of Memorandum and Articles of Association, with attendant papers, 1934 to 1968; Directors' minute book, 1941 to 1971; annual returns, 1941 to 1965, return of Directors and Secretaries, 1954 to 1964; balance sheets and profit and loss accounts, 1916 to 1971. Those for the New Medway Steam Packet Co Ltd include Directors' minute books, 1919 to 1968; annual returns, 1920 to 1937; annual reports and balance sheets, 1931 to 1938; profit and loss accounts, 1929 to 1960; and ledgers, 1920 to 1960. Grand Union (Shipping) Limited: these include Memorandum and Articles of Association, 1937; Directors' minute book, 1937 to 1957; and balance sheets and profit and loss accounts, 1938 to 1966. (Section 3: GSN/: 16ft: 488cm) Ships' Plans: these were presented in 1963. The collection consists of books with arrangements and particulars of twenty-nine G.S.N. ships in the 1920s and 1930s. Further details are available in the P and O collection.

General Steam Navigation Co Ltd
GB 0064 GDL · Collection · [1870-1884]

Papers of Walter Goodsall, consisting of a biographical note of his early life and diary extracts until 1876. There is a full account for 1881. There are also logs, 1870, 1872, 1883 to 1884, and a technical pamphlet.

Goodsall , Walter , 1848-[1900] , master mariner
Grant, Samuel (fl 1778-1803)
GB 0064 GRT · Collection · [1781-1803]

Papers of Samuel Grant, consisting of detailed diaries, 1793 to 1803 (some of them in shorthand), and correspondence and naval papers connected with his work as a purser, 1781 to 1803. These include passes, indentures for a clerk, certificates, financial papers, lists of stores and lists of ships There are also some financial and legal papers relating to the family property in Pembroke.

Grant , Samuel , fl 1778-1803 , purser
GRAY, DAWES AND COMPANY
GB 0074 CLC/B/123-30 · Collection · 1866-1973

Records of Gray, Dawes and Company, general merchants and agents, including partnership deeds; articles of association; correspondence; memoranda; financial accounts; papers relating to investments; papers of the insurance department; papers of the inward freight department; papers regarding the British India Steam Navigation Company Limited; and secretarial papers.

Gray, Dawes and Co , general merchants and agents
GB 0120 MSS.5874-5875 · 1859-1888

Testimonials and notebook of John Temperley Gray, 1859-1888.

Gray , John Temperley , 1835-1892 , ship's surgeon
GB 0074 CLC/B/123-31 · Collection · 1872-1970

Records of Gray, MacKenzie and Company Limited, general merchants and agents in the Persian Gulf, including partnership agreements; articles of association; correspondence; legal papers; financial accounts; annual reports; papers relating to property; historical notes; papers relating to Euphrates and Tigris Steam Navigation Company Limited, Bahrein Slipway Company Limited and Dilmun Navigation Company Limited.

Gray, MacKenzie and Co Ltd , general merchants and agents
Green Blackwall collection
GB 0064 GRN · Collection · [1715-1860]

Collection includes a register of work 1746-1818, ships accounts 1715- 1803, log books including the NEWCASTLE (b 1859), LORD WARDEN (b 1862), DOVER CASTLE (b 1858) and WINDSOR CASTLE (b 1857), work book of Henry Green 1824, ship voyage accounts 1836-60 and other miscellaneous material.

Green Blackwall shipyard
HADDEN & COMPANY
GB 0074 CLC/B/112-063 · Collection · 1938

Articles of associaton of Hadden & Company Limited, shipping agency.

Hadden and Co Ltd , shipping agency
GB 1556 WL 1077 · Collection · 1939

Papers of Hamburg-Amerika linie, 1939, comprise of a notice from the Breslau office of the Hamburg Amerika Linie, travel company, regarding sailings and prices for illegal emigration to Palestine.

Hamburg-Amerika linie
Hamilton family papers
GB 0064 HTN · Collection · [1822-1956]

Papers of Captain Henry George Hamilton, consisting of official service documents, letters to his family, 1822 to 1830, and from Australia, 1839 to 1843.

Papers of Adml Sir Frederick Tower Hamilton, consisting of logs, 1870 to 1872, 1877 to 1881, 1885 and 1915 to 1916, and semi-official letters received, 1914 to 1917, including some from Admirals Lord Fisher (1841-1920), Jellicoe (1859-1935), Beatty (1871-1936), Sir Charles Madden and Prince Louis of Battenburg (1854-1921). In addition, there is detailed material on the resignation of Lord Fisher in 1915. There are also a large number of private papers and letters received, 1889 to 1917, letters to his son Louis Henry Keppel Hamilton, 1906 to 1915, scrap and photograph albums, official service documents, notes on manoeuvering the HOOD, 1893 to 1894, and reports and memoranda, 1917.

Papers of Sir Louis Henry Keppel Hamiltom. The diaries cover most of his career and all periods afloat from 1908 to 1928. There are also diaries for journeys in the merchant ships Lagos, 1915, and in the Usaramo to Lisbon in 1924. In addition there are official reports and signals for the time when Hamilton commanded the First Cruiser Squadron and a very full collection of letters written by him to his family, 1906 to 1956. There are also photograph albums of Osborne and Dartmouth, 1903 to1907 of the Durbar, 1911, and of other periods in Hamilton's life. Finally, there are lecture notes and memoranda from Dartmouth, 1922 to 1924, and papers relating to Australia, 1947.

Papers of Sir Henry Keppel, consisting of logs, 1824 to 1825, 1830 to 1831, 1834 to 1835, 1842 to 1845, 1847 to 1851, 1853 to 1857, 1860 to 1861; private journals, 1867 to 1869; annual diaries, 1834 to 1838, 1842 to 1844, 1855 to 1857, 1867 to 1869; private letterbooks, 1867 to 1869, 1874 to 1875 and loose papers. These are mainly letters received, 1841 to 1900, the bulk of which date from 1870. Of the two groups of Keppel's letters to his family, one covers the Crimean War and the other his tour of the Far East, 1897 to 1900.

Hamilton , Henry George , 1808-1879 , Captain Hamilton , Sir , Frederick Tower , 1856-1917 , Knight , Admiral Hamilton , Sir , Louis Henry Keppel , 1890-1957 , Knight , Admiral Keppel , Sir , Henry , 1809-1904) , Knight , Admiral of the Fleet
GB 0074 CLC/B/112-005 · Collection · 1913-1957

Records of Harrisons and Crosfield Limited relating to insurance; including Insurance Department reports, financial accounts, papers and policy journals; and papers relating to insurance claims, particularly for cargoes diverted or requisitioned during the Second World War.

Harrisons and Crosfield Ltd , traders in tea, coffee, rubber, timber, chemicals, and other agricultural products
GB 0102 PP MS 67 · Created 1866-1954

Papers of and relating to Sir Robert Hart, 1866-1954, comprising two series of private letters from Sir Robert Hart to his personal representative in England, J D Campbell, one dating from 1868-1879 and one from 1879-1906; a run of semi-official letters to Campbell, 1874-1906; a file on the Chinese Fleet, 1876-1894; correspondence and papers, 1866-1954, concerning the letters, including their ownership. A run of Campbell's letters to Hart, 1874-1877, is also included in the collection.

Hart , Sir , Robert , 1835-1911 , 1st Baronet , Inspector-General of Customs in China Campbell , James Duncan , 1833-1907 , Commissioner of Chinese Maritime Customs
Henley, Michael, & Son
GB 0064 HNL · Collection · 1771-1830

The papers in the Museum relate to the Henleys' shipping and other commercial interests between 1771 and 1830. From about 1784, when Joseph seems to have taken charge, the records become fairly systematic and the 'ships' collections' begin. Most of the 109 wooden boxes (now replaced) related to individual ships, but 24 related to general matters. A small number of the ships were owned jointly with someone outside the family, usually the master; only one seems to have been divided into sixteenths. The bulk of the collection consists of ships' boxes, containing correspondence from masters, agents, brokers, merchants, government boards and sailors and their families. Masters' voyage accounts and vouchers have nearly always survived from 1784 on onward, together with some Articles of Agreement, portage bills, crew lists and wages and receipts; sometimes, and especially during the last decade of the eighteenth and the first decade of the nineteenth centuries, memoranda books were kept detailing Henleys' own expenditure on ships; and papers relating to freights including Charter Parties, Bills of Lading, manifests, protections, customs documents, freight and brokers' accounts were often retained. 'Transport papers', relating to voyages under charter to the Government, include agents' orders and certificates, individual orders and receipts for victualling ships, and forms with details of troops victualled. The subjects range over every aspect of the employment of the ship, including building, maintaining, victualling and manning, the process of chartering or seeking cargoes, and the convoys in which she sailed. The general boxes contained books with accounts, receipts, memoranda and lists covering all Henleys' activities and are the main source of information for the early years from ca.1771. There are detailed records of their activities as coal merchants, especially for the last years of the eighteenth century; there is a continuous series of cash books, 1807 to 1824, with various 'weekly expense' books and petty cash books kept by individual clerks. The Henleys ran their own sail loft and there is a run of account books from 1813 to 1824, in addition to material covering other years. The rest of the general boxes contained papers on other aspects of their activities: boxes of loose receipts covering business and domestic expenditure, a box relating to the premises at Wapping containing correspondence about leases, building and repairs, with detailed receipts for building and rebuilding the Henleys' three houses, counting house and warehouse; boxes with accounts, receipts and correspondence relating to shipping matters generally and sometimes to particular ships or groups of ships. At different times it was the practice to keep freight papers separate from ships' papers. There were four boxes relating to the supply of coal to government departments, particularly the dockyards and the Ordnance Board, 1790 to 1802 and 1807 to 1820. There were three boxes of correspondence and accounts reflecting the activities of James Kirton, 1800 to 1825; he had been successively carpenter, mate and master in Henley ships from the earliest years and set up as a shipowner and agent in Newcastle at the turn of the century. There is also correspondence with agents in other places.

Henley, Michael, and Son
Hogg, Quintin: letter (1876)
GB 0096 AL349 · Fonds · 1876

Letter from Quintin Hogg of 5 Richmond Terrace, Whitehall, London [replacing 23 Rood Lane, London which has been struck through] to Mr Parker, 26 Feb 1876. Detailing the final stages of the transfer of an estate called 'Industry' by Parker to Hogg; mentioning the shipping of sugar and rum.

Autograph, with signature.

Hogg , Quintin , 1845-1903 , merchant and philanthropist
Houlder Brothers & Co Ltd
GB 0064 HOU · Collection · [1920-1967]

Records of Houlder Brothers & Co Ltd. They consist of: movement books, 1920-1930; Charter Parties 1949-1950; voyage estimates, 1965-1967. The movements and estimates refer to ships of associated companies as well as those of the parent company.

Houlder Brothers & Co Ltd
INCHCAPE GROUP
GB 0074 CLC/B/123 · Collection · 1836-2010

Records of the companies making up the Inchcape Group, including:

  • Adamson, Bell and Company: see Dodwell and Company;
    • Adamson (W. R.) and Company: see Dodwell and Company;
    • African Marine and General Engineering Company: see Smith, Mackenzie and Company;
    • African Wharfage Company: see Smith, Mackenzie and Company;
    • Alexandra Brickworks Limited: see Borneo Company;
    • Anglo Siam Corporation: see Anglo Thai Corporation;
    • Anglo Thai Corporation: Ms 27001-034;
    • Arbuthnot, Ewart and Company: see Anglo Thai Corporation;
    • Argonauts Investments Limited: see Assam and African Investments Limited;
    • Assam and African Holdings Limited: see Assam and African Investments Limited;
    • Assam and African Investments Limited: Ms 27035-45;
    • Assam Company Limited: Ms 8794-8803; 9924-9936; 11497-504; 23723-5 and 27046-103;
    • Assam Estates Limited: Ms 27104-7;
    • Australasian United Steam Navigation Company: 27108-45;
    • Baghdad Light and Power Company: 27146-7;
    • Bahrein Slipway Company: see Gray, Mackenzie and Company;
    • Bally Paper Mills Company: see Borneo Company;
    • Bangalore Woollen, Cotton and Silk Mills Company: see Binny and Company;
    • Barnagore Jute Factory Company: see Borneo Company;
    • Barry and Company: see Macneill and Barry;
    • Barry, J. B. and Son: see Duncan Macneill and Company;
    • Bhooteachang Tea Company: Ms 27148;
    • Binny and Company: Ms 27149-73;
    • Borneo Agencies Limited: see Borneo Company;
    • Borneo Company: Ms 27174-474;
    • Borneo Motors Limited: see Borneo Company;
    • Brae and Chingoor Tea Estates Limited: Ms 27475-7;
    • British India and Queensland Agency Company: Ms 27478-9;
    • British India Associated Steamers Limited: Ms 27480-6;
    • Bruseh Tin and Rubber Estates Limited: see Borneo Company;
    • Bulkships Limited: Ms 27487;
    • Cawnpore Electric Supply Corporation: Ms 27488;
    • Cheerie Valley Tea Company: Ms 27489;
    • Child, Macfarland and Company: Ms 27490-1;
    • Dalhousie Jute Company: Ms 27492;
    • Delmege, Allen and Company: Ms 27493-4;
    • Delmege, Forsyth and Company: 27495-7;
    • Dilmun Navigation Company: see Gray, Mackenzie and Company;
    • Dodwell and Company: Ms 27498-526;
    • Dodwell, Carlill and Company: see Dodwell and Company;
    • Dodwell Motors Limited: see Dodwell and Company;
    • Duncan Macneill and Company: Ms 27527-90;
    • Eastern and Australian Steampship Company: see Australasian United Steam Navigation Company;
    • Ewart, Latham and Company: see Anglo Thai Corporation;
    • Ewart, Lyon and Company: see Anglo Thai Corporation;
    • Ewart, Ryrie and Company: see Anglo Thai Corporation;
    • Ganges Transport and Trading Company: Ms 27591-2;
    • Garden Reach Spinning and Manufacturing Company: Ms 27592A;
    • Garden Reach Workshops Limited: see Rivers Steam Navigation Company;
    • Gibb, Livingston and Company: Ms 27593-6;
    • Gillanders, Ewart and Company: see Anglo Thai Corporation;
    • Gilman (Holdings) Limited: Ms 27597;
    • Gourepore Company: Ms 27598;
    • Gourepore Electric Supply Company: Ms 27599;
    • Gray, Dawes and Company: Ms 27600-87;
    • Gray, Mackenzie and Company: Ms 27688-745;
    • Gray, Paul and Company: see Gray, Mackenzie and Company;
    • Greenwood Tea Company: Ms 27746-52;
    • Haboko Tea Company: see Borneo Company;
    • Hain (Edward) and Son: see St Mary Axe Securities Limited;
    • India General Navigation and Railway Company: Ms 27753-65;
    • India General Steam Navigation Company: see India General Navigation and Railway Company;
    • India Rivers Steam Navigation Company: see Rivers Steam Navigation Company;
    • Islay, Kerr and Company: Ms 27766-9;
    • Java Agency Company: Ms 27770;
    • Kalline Tea Company: Ms 27771-4;
    • Kenya Landing and Shipping Company: see Smith, Mackenzie and Company;
  • Kilburn and Company: see Macneill and Barry Limited;
    • Kilburn, Brown and Company: Ms 27775-82;
    • Koyah Tea Company: Ms 27783;
    • Macdonald, Hamilton and Company: Ms 27784-7;
    • Mackay and Company: Ms 27788-92;
    • Mackay, Lynch and Company: see Mackay and Company;
    • Mackinnon, Mackenzie and Company: Ms 27793-848;
    • Mackinnon (W.) and Company: Ms 27849-50;
    • Macneill and Barry Limited: Ms 27851-94;
    • Macneill and Company: see Macneill and Barry Limited;
    • Macneill and Kilburn Limited: see Macneill and Barry Limited;
    • Macneill and Magor Limited: see Macneill and Barry Limited;
    • Macneill, Barry and Company: see Duncan Macneill and Company;
    • Majagram Tea Company: Ms 27895;
    • Mediterranean Transport Company: Ms 27896-902;
    • Mesopotamia Persia Corporation: see Gray, Mackenzie and Company;
    • Metro-Dodwell Motors Limited: see Dodwell and Company;
    • New Rivers Company: see Rivers Steam Navigation Company;
    • Ngambo Limited: see Assam and African Investments Limited;
    • Northern Dooars Tea Company: Ms 27903-8;
    • Nuddea Mills Company: Ms 27909;
    • Pahang Consolidated Company: see Borneo Company;
    • Pakistan River Steamers Limited: see Rivers Steam Navigation Company;
    • Pakistan Rivers Steam Navigation Company: see Rivers Steam Navigation Company;
    • Rejang Agencies Limited: see Borneo Company;
    • River Steamers Company: see Rivers Steam Navigation Company;
    • Rivers Steam Navigation Company: Ms 27910-28101;
    • St Mary Axe Securities Limited: Ms 28102-5;
    • Salonah Tea Company: Ms 28106-11;
    • Sarawak Rubber Estates Limited: see Borneo Company;
    • Sarawak Steamship Company: see Borneo Company;
    • Scottish Assam Tea Company: Ms 28112-16;
    • Siam Forest Company: see Anglo Thai Corporation;
    • Silonibari Tea Company: Ms 28117;
    • Singapore Plywood Company: see Borneo Company;
    • Smith, Mackenzie and Company: Ms 28118-53;
    • Tanganyika Landing and Shipping Company: see Smith, Mackenzie and Company;
    • Tarrapore Tea Company: Ms 28154-5;
    • Thanai Tea Company: Ms 28156-62;
    • Upper Assam Tea Company: Ms 28162A;
    • Western Cachar Company: Ms 28169-73.

Also published history 'Pioneering Spirit: The story behind Inchcape's remarkable journey', 2010.

Records of Inchcape and Company Limited (1939-2010), including subject files belonging to Kenneth James William Mackay (third Earl of Inchcape) and other directors and seniors. Files concern the formation of the holding company in 1958 and also individual companies within the group.

Inchcape and Co Ltd
GB 0074 CLC/B/055-11 · Collection · 1824-1970

Records of the Indemnity Marine Insurance Company Limited, including consitutional documents, minutes, financial material, letterbooks and some details of ships and cargoes.

Indemnity Marine Insurance Co Ltd
GB 0074 CLC/B/123-33 · Collection · 1899-1968

Records of the India General Navigation and Railway Company Limited, including articles of association; papers relating to annual general meetings; notices to shareholders; financial accounts; fleet lists; papers regarding ship repairs; and photograph of steamer 'Nagpore'.

CLC/B/123/MS38763 (staff list) is subject to a 70 year closure period.

India General Navigation and Railway Co Ltd
GB 0074 CLC/B/123-34 · Collection · 1924-[1950]

Records of Islay, Kerr and Company Limited, comprising accounts, correspondence and photograph album showing office accommodation.

Islay, Kerr and Co Ltd , shipping agents and merchants
JAVA AGENCY COMPANY LIMITED
GB 0074 CLC/B/123-35 · Collection · 1889-1892

Minute book of the Java Agency Company Limited, shipping agents.

Java Agency Co Ltd , shipping agents
JERUSALEM COFFEE HOUSE
GB 0074 CLC/B/021-3 · Collection · 1757-1833

Records of the Jerusalem Coffee House, later the Jerusalem Shipping Exchange, including registers and lists of sailings and shippings, including some East India Company shipping; log of the voyage of the ship 'Walmer Castle' from London to Penang, Malaysia; agreements; and financial accounts.

Jerusalem Coffee House x The Jerusalem Ltd x Jerusalem Shipping Exchange
JOHN MOTTEUX AND COMPANY
GB 0074 CLC/B/227-110 · Collection · 1772-1775

Papers of John Motteux and Company, merchants, comprising letters from the company's agent in L'Orient (Brittany) and Paris.

John Motteux and Co , merchants
GB 1446 MS 14 · Collection · 1914-1921

Bound correspondence of Thomas Crawford Johnston, 1914-1921, on the subject of his book Did the Phoenicians discover America? (published by James Nisbet & Company, Ltd., Berner Street, London, 1913), including correspondence with Prof. G C Chisholm, Prof. J S Nicholson, Thomas Athol Joyce, Prof. Grafton Elliot Smith, Prof. Herbert E Gregory and Prof. Louis R Sullivan.

Johnston , Thomas Crawford , 1913-1965 , author
JONES, A G E
GB 0402 AGJ · 1967-1984

Papers of A G E Jones including biographical notes on Sir Allen Young, 1981; biographical notes on John L Cope, 1982; lists of ships leaving London for New South Wales and Van Diemans Land, 1786-1825; copies of press cuttings relating to finding the grave of one of Franklin's men in North Canada, 1984; copies of two letters on the loss of the log book of the DISCOVERY, 1904; copy of an article by Jaones in 'Notes and Queries' Dec 1984 on the crew of the TERROR and Franklin's last voyage; copies of two pages from the log of the SOUTHERN CROSS; typescripts of 'The Southern whale fishery' and 'Danial Bennett and Company', 1968.

Jones , A G E , 1914-2002 , maritime and polar historian
Kellock, C.W., & Co
GB 0064 KCK · Collection · [1850-1949]

Records of C.W. Kellock and Co. The greater portion of the records forms an almost complete collection of copies of sale contracts for the Liverpool office, 1850 to 1949, and five volumes of copies of sale contracts for the London office, 1867 to 1883. These sale agreements give the name of the vessel, its tonnage, name of purchaser and seller, selling price and conditions of sale. Many of these are indexed in the early years and a copy of the British shipping register is often included. In many cases, copies of correspondence, special agreements and Charter Parties are also included. For example, the papers of the sale of the GREAT BRITAIN in London in 1885 for £26,000 include a complete inventory of the vessel. In addition there are three volumes of conditions of sale, 1890 to 1931; ten volumes of valuations (sail and steam), 1895 to 1913, 1922 to 1924; four volumes of records of sales, 1895 to 1945, of vessels built up to 1905 (sail and steam); nine volumes of ledgers 1851 to 1895; six volumes of journals 1880 to 1882, 1916 to 1919; three volumes of Charter Parties, one each for Stoddard Bros, 1866 to 1869, Taylor Cameron and Co, 1889 to 1891 and C.W. Kellock and Co, 1897 to 1907. These papers give a detailed picture of the value of British shipping for both sail and steam from the middle of the nineteenth to the middle of the twentieth century.

Kellock, C.W., & Co
GB 0074 CLC/B/123-37 · Collection · 1938-1966

Kilburn, Brown and Company Limited records comprise: partnership deeds and agreement, 1943-59 (Ms 27775-6); accounts, 1938-66 (Ms 27777-81); and correspondence, 1947-60 (Ms 27782).

Kilburn, Brown and Co Ltd , shipping agents
GB 1432 KEVII · 1950-1969

A selection of prospectuses from the 1960s (with a few, possibly earlier ones, undated) and student record cards* ca. 1950s and 1960s.

*Note: Requests involving personal data will be handled in accordance with GDPR (Data Protection) and on a case-by-case basis.

King Edward VII Nautical College
Lawson, Richard
GB 0096 MS 821 · 1800

Letter written by Richard Lawson, dated 21 May 1800 on the island of St Thomas, Virgin Islands, addressed to Messrs. Anderson [of London], concerning Lawson's schooner Nonesuch which 'arrived here about a couple of months ago...with a Cargo of Negroes which turned out extreemly well'; and business of Mr. Lalanda of St Thomas in the court of the Vice-Admiral relating to the capture of a vessel taken to Jamaica while on its way to St Domingo.

Lawson , Richard , fl 1800 , of the Virgin Islands
GB 0102 MS 40320 · Created 1780s-1790s

Papers, 1780s-1790s, largely of Captain Francis Light, including several hundred Malay letters, primarily letters received by Light and his business partner, Captain James Scott, from rulers and dignitaries of the Malay Sultanates.

The letters cover the history of relations, negotiations and conflicts between Light, the rulers of Kedah and the Governor General in Bengal leading up to and including the settlement of Penang in 1786 and the armed conflict of 1791. There are also letters dealing with business affairs between Light and Malay nobles such as the purchase, shipment and sale of commodities, ammunition, slaves and opium, and the maintenance of good political and economic neighbourly relations; letters from the Sultanate of Selangor; letters from royal merchants at the Malay courts; and letters concerning trade from various rulers and nobles in the Peninsula and Sumatra, especially from Aceh, Asahan and other North-Sumatran states.

In addition, the collection contains several dozen letters and documents from the same period relating to Bencoolen (Benkulen) and the West Sumatran Presidency, which are unrelated to Light.

Light , Francis , 1740-1794 , Superintendent of Penang
GB 0064 LND · Collection · 19th century

Papers of William Schaw Lindsay, including Section 1 - bundles of papers or volumes which cover the whole of Lindsay's concerns and cannot be given a particular category. Section 2, 3 and 4 cover his main areas of activity- writing, business and property matters.

Lindsay had many friends and contacts in business and politics and his correspondence included many of the foremost men of his time in the fields (LND/2,3,4,6). His interest in the maritime affairs of the USA, and the civil war of 1861-5, is reflected in the compilation of 1867 of his correspondence with leading participants in the war, particularly Confederate politicians. This together with Lindsay's notes was brought together in a single volume (LND/7).

Lindsay's writings on maritime matters are represented by a working manuscript of the 'History of Merchant Shipping' (LND/12), printed proofs of the first two parts of the work (LND/13) and various notes and correspondence relating to it and other works on the navigation laws (LND/8,9,10,11). Lindsay also turned his hand to poetry (LND/18), biography (LND/19) and autobiography (LND/16).

Activities on Lindsay's estates at Shepperton and elsewhere are also reflected in various papers LND/2 23-32).

Lindsay , William Schaw , 1816-1877 , shipowner
GB 0064 LRT · Collection · 19th century-20th century

Papers of London and Rochester Trading Company Ltd., comprising the company's financial and business records including contract agreements for ship specifications for the building of company barges, bills of sale for various barges, general arrangement plans and miscellaneous material re: company's lease arrangements and other business records.

London And Rochester Trading Company Ltd.
LONDON SHIPPING EXCHANGE
GB 0074 CLC/B/021-2 · Collection · 1892-1903

Records of the London Shipping Exchange, including financial accounts such as cash books, ledgers, and registers of shares; letter books; members' registers; and papers concerning the liquidation of the Exchange.

London Shipping Exchange , 1892-1903
Lubbock, Basil (1876-1944)
GB 0064 LUB · Collection · [1876-1944]

Papers of Basil Lubbock, reflecting Lubbock's detailed and intensive approach to his research. There are over thirty copies and transcripts of logs, many made by Lubbock himself from privately owned volumes. These include abstract logs of the CUTTY SARK, 1870 to 1872, and 1886 to 1895, and a detailed log of the same vessel, 1882 to 1883; the captains' abstract logs of the ARIEL, 1866 to 1868, HALLOWEEN, 1872 to 1876, PATRIARCH, 1877 and 1883, and THERMOPYLAE, 1881 to 1884; and logs of the whalers WILLIAM, 1796 to 1803, GEORGIANA, 1802 to 1803 and NEPTUNE, 1820. There are many press cuttings and photographs, some original, of sailing ships including some of the CUTTY SARK under the Portuguese flag as the FERREIRA. The collection also contains the reminiscences and personal testaments of many seamen. Original documents include ships' papers of the CUTTY SARK for her voyages of 1882-3 and 1883-4 under the command of Captain F Moore (fl 1865-1885); the diary of a passenger on the SUPERB, 1882; a contemporary copy of the log of HMS GALATEA, 1830 to 1831; and a log of the NARCISSUS, 1866 to 1867, kept by Admiral Sir John Fullerton (1840-1918) as lieutenant, together with his station and order book, a volume of watch, station, quarter and fire bills, and an order book containing rigging tips and Flying Squadron sail drill, 1871 to 1872. Among Lubbock's personal papers in the collection are his diary for 1899, including his voyage on the ROYALSHIRE which is illustrated with sketches. There is a wealth of notes and correspondence relating to his many publications on merchant sailing ships; notes on the suppression of the slave trade in the nineteenth century and a draft of a book on the subject; twelve notebooks relating to the 'Last of the Wooden Walls', the ships of the Royal Navy in the nineteenth century; and extensive notes for an unpublished biography of Prince Rupert (1619-1682). There are also annotated copies of most of Lubbock's publications.

Lubbock , Basil , 1876-1944 , historian
GB 0120 MSS. 3352 and 5746 · 1782-1787, c.1805

MS. 3352: Copy dated c1805 of a journal of a voyage from London to Cochin-China, 11 September 1792-15 June 1793. Note on verso of leaf 2 signed 'J.B.' (Sir John Barrow (1764-1848), Secretary to the Admiralty, and founder of the Royal Geographical Society) states 'This journal was written by Lord Macartney on board the Lion merely for his own amusement and to pass away a few heavy hours on a very long sea voyage'. MS. 5746: Correspondence and papers relating to medical services in Madras, 1782-1787, comprising 2 letters to Macartney from John Ruding, surgeon, Chingleput, 1782, 1783; letter to Macartney from James Hodges, Masulipatam, 1783; letter to Macartney from George Bell (d.1789), surgeon, Tanjore, 1783; Committee Minute on a proposal by Macartney for a fixed establishment of surgeons, 1784; letter to Macartney from Terence Gahagan, surgeon, enclosing a copy of his plan for the reform of the medical department, Vellore, 1787 (the plan is addressed to Macartney's successor as Governor of Fort St George, Madras, Sir Archibald Campbell).

Macartney , George , 1737-1806 , 1st Earl Macartney , diplomat
GB 0074 CLC/B/123-39 · Collection · 1907-1957

Macdonald, Hamilton and Company records comprise: partnership deeds, declarations of trust, power of attorney, and correspondence 1907-55 (Ms 27784-6, 38570-6); plans of offices 1919-20 (Ms 27787), and histories 1934-5 (Ms 38577).

Macdonald, Hamilton and Co , shipping agents
MACKAY AND COMPANY LIMITED
GB 0074 CLC/B/123-40 · Collection · 1914-1930

Mackay and Company Limited records comprise: memorandum and articles of association, 1914-23 (Ms 27788); resolution of EGM, 1928 (Ms 27789); accounts, 1923-7 (Ms 27790) and correspondence, 1914-30 (Ms 27791-2).

Mackay and Co Ltd , ship brokers and agents
GB 0074 CLC/B/123-41 · Collection · 1854-1955

Records of MacKinnon, MacKenzie and Company, general merchants and agents of Calcutta, India; comprising: partnership deeds and other records concerning the establishment and regulation of the company, 1854-1955 (Ms 27793-6, 27838-41); private journals, 1929-51 (Ms 27797); correspondence, 1852-1955 (Ms 27798-814) operational records, 1847-1940 (Ms 27815-27); photographs, ca. 1905-31 (Ms 27828-8A); historical notes, c 1860-1955 (Ms 27829-34, 27847); and accounts, 1927-51 (Ms 27835-7, Ms 27842-6, 27848).

MacKinnon, MacKenzie and Co , general merchants and agents of Calcutta, India
GB 0102 PP MS 1 · Created c1820-1893

Personal, estate and business papers, c1820-1893, accumulated by Sir William Mackinnon, predominantly during the latter half of the nineteenth century. The material covers a wide range of commercial, imperial and humanitarian topics, and includes correspondence and papers relating to the Imperial British East Africa Company, the British India Steam Navigation Co. and the City of Glasgow Bank.

Mackinnon , Sir , William , 1823-1893 , 1st Baronet , founder of the Imperial British East Africa Company
MACNEILL AND BARRY LIMITED
GB 0074 CLC/B/123-42 · Collection · 1883-1978

Records of Macneill and Barry Limited, general merchants and agents of Calcutta, India, comprising: records of Macneill and Company, 1908-67 (Ms 27851-63); Barry and Company, 1883-1944 (Ms 27864-73); Macneill and Barry Limited, 1905-78 (Ms 27874-86); Kilburn and Company Limited, 1942-65 (Ms 27887-91); Kilburn Properties Limited, 1960-5 (Ms 27892); Kilburn and Company (Pakistan) Limited, 1964 (Ms 27893); and Macneill and Kilburn Limited, 1963-4 (Ms 27894). The records include articles of association, deeds, annual reports, financial accounts, reports on business operations, plans, and photographs.

Macneill and Barry Ltd , general merchants and agents of Calcutta, India
GB 0120 MSS.3356-3382 and 8682 · 1824-1860

MSS.3356-3382 comprise journals and memorandum books documenting the various phases of McCormick's career, as follows: MS.3356, sketchbook relating to West Indies and South America voyages, 1824-1825; MS.3357, journal of voyage north of Spitsbergen in the Hecla, 1827; MS.3358, notes of lectures on natural philosophy by Robert Jameson (1774-1854) at Edinburgh University, 1830-1831; MS.3359, diary of voyages to West Indies and South America, 1830-1832; MS.3360, half-pay diaries (7 volumes), 1830-1838; MS.3361, diaries covering 1823-1830, fair copy; MS.3362, sketch book covering voyages in North Sea and West Indies, 1832-1833; MS.3363, diary covering blockade of Dutch coast and voyage to West Indies, 1832-1834; MS.3364, diary of a walking tour in Devon (apparently part of a longer journey of which the other journal volumes are not extant), 1834-1835; MS.3365, diary while fitting out the Antarctic expedition of the Erebus, 1839; MSS.3366-3368, diaries written during the Erebus Antarctic expedition (15 volumes), 1839-1843; MSS.3369-3370, meteorological and ornithological logs respectively of the Erebus Antarctic expedition, 1839-1843; MS.3371, half-pay diaries (4 volumes), 1843-1845; MS.3372, memorandum book on Arctic discovery, chiefly compiled during the voyage of the North Star as part of the search for Sir John Franklin, 1848-1852; MS.3373, diary while fitting out the North Star as part of the search for Sir John Franklin, 1852; MSS.3374-3380, diaries written during the voyage of the North Star as part of the search for Sir John Franklin, 1852-1853; MSS.3381-3382, meteorological tables and sketches respectively, made during the voyage of the North Star as part of the search for Sir John Franklin, 1852-1853. MS.8682 comprises loose miscellaneous material, chiefly printed, relating to various phases of McCormick's career: evolving versions of his Narrative of a Boat-Expedition up the Wellington Channel in the Year 1852 (London: Eyre and Spotteswoode, 1854), plus testimonials, printed items by other authors including the Arctic traveller Dr. Richard King, publisher's advertisements and newspapers.

McCormick , Robert , 1800-1890 , naval surgeon and Polar explorer
GB 0074 CLC/B/123-44 · Collection · 1906-1958

Mediterranean Transport Company Limited records comprise: memorandum and articles of association, 1906-48 (Ms 27896); directors' and shareholders' minutes, 1906-54 (Ms 27897); AGM agendas, 1926-42 (Ms 27898); annual reports and accounts, 1926-58 (Ms 27899;) and accounts 1925-33 (Ms 27902).

Mediterranean Transport Co Ltd
GB 0064 AML/L-Y · Subfonds · [1322-20th century]

This catagory contains examples of various types of ships' papers and documents relating to the operation of merchant ships. There are examples of Charter Parties, including one of 1322 between Walter Giffard, master of the cog OUR LADY of Lyme and Sir Hugh de Berham for a freight of wine; the remainder are twentieth-century examples. The earliest example of a Bill of Lading is for the TRIPLE CROWN of Bristol, 1689; there are others from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Among the examples of Bills of Sale of ships and shares of ships is one for the Dutch East India Company ship DEHELDWOITEMADE, sold to James Mather, a London merchant, 1782; and also one for the SPECULATOR, a French prize, formerly LE CARME, sold in 1810. Examples of documents relating to insurance include a Statement of General Average for the POLLY AND EMILY made after she had been damaged in a gale in 1895. There are also Muster Rolls and Articles of Agreement of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries (see also entry no.13); Bills of Health, nineteenth and twentieth centuries; Safe Conducts, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; and various nineteenth-century passenger documents and papers relating to wreck and salvage, including an order issued by Sir Cyril Wyche (1632-1707) and Sir Henry Capel (d 1696), Lord Justices of Ireland, for the arrest of the pilot of the wrecked TALBOT pink, 1695.

Untitled
GB 0064 SGN/E · Subfonds · 1810

Merchant Shipping: Signal Books and Signals including a Vane List c 1810 and a pendant board of the same date.

Untitled
GB 0064 SMS · Collection · [1780-1879]

Of the twelve volumes in this class, two relate to the society of East India Commanders; one, 1780 to 1833, records wagers between members and promises of gifts to the society upon such eventualities as marriage or leaving the service; the other is an account book, 1825 to 1879. The remaining eight volumes are 'Elements of Navigation' by pupils of Christ's Hospital Mathematical School; the earliest is dated 1723 and the latest is c 1845. All are very carefully executed and the subjects include arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, gunnery and navigation; the majority are illustrated with diagrams, maps, pen and ink sketches or watercolours.

Untitled
GB 1556 WL 1580 · Collection · 1889-1969

Papers of Dr Richard Michels, 1889-1969, comprise correspondence and journals of Richard Michels, mostly whilst on board a variety of ships in his capacity as ship's doctor c 1900; some photographs; and typescript accounts of Kempen, Posen by a relative on his wife's side of the family.

Michels , Richard , b 1873 , doctor
MORRISON, CRYDER AND COMPANY
GB 0074 CLC/B/164 · Collection · 1832-1855

Records of Morrison, Cryder and Company, London-American and general merchants, comprising: correspondence, 1834-55; accounts, 1836-49; shipping papers, 1836-9; legal papers, 1832-1851; insurance papers, 1837-1848; reports, 1846; and dividend lists, 1837-1839.

Morrison, Cryder and Co , London-American and general merchants Morrison, Sons and Co , London-American and general merchants
Narratives
GB 0064 HIS · Collection · 1690-1939

This class is made up of contemporary first-hand narrative accounts, contained in sixteen volumes. Narratives of naval actions include a volume of accounts of the Battle of Beachy Head, 1690, for presentation to the King; and an illustrated pocket-book of Lieutenant Lewis Stephen Davis (fl 1777-1799) containing accounts of various actions including the First of June, 1794, Cape St Vincent, 1797, and the Nile, 1798. There are five volumes relating to wrecks and salvage including an account of the loss of the merchant ship LUXEMBURGH , 1727; of the CENTAUR, 1782, by Captain John Nicholson Inglefield (1748-1828) with the verdict of the court martial, 1783. (A version of this was first published in 1782 in London as Captain Inglefield's narrative concerning the loss of His Majesty's ship the Centaur of seventy-four guns.) There is an account of wrecks and disasters on the north Norfolk Coast, 1880 to 1939, by William John Harman (1854-1944), a local fisherman; and also an account of the wreck of and salvage work carried out on the LUTINE which was sunk in 1799, written in 1898 by the salvage engineer Johan J Fletcher (fl.1893-1900). There are two foreign narratives in this section; one, a French manuscript, is 'Campagne Navale de M de Tourville' (1642-1701), which is an account of the movements of the French fleet in the Mediterranean in 1693, with pen and ink drawings and coloured illustrations of flags, probably written by Captain Longeron of the L'ORGUEILLEUX. There are also four annotated printed works, including the author's copy of the 1790 edition of A History of the late siege of Gibraltar, 1779-1783 by Colonel John Drinkwater (later Bethune, 1762-1844) with annotations and additional illustrations, and the galley sheets of The Submarine Peril, published in 1934 by Earl Jellicoe (1859-1935), with manuscript corrections and additions.

Various
NEW INDIA ASSURANCE COMPANY
GB 0074 CLC/B/055-16 · Collection · 1922-1944

Records of the New India Assurance Company Limited, comprising a salvage book giving details of insurance claims on shipping.

New India Assurance Co Ltd
New Zealand Shipping Co Ltd
GB 0064 NZS · Collection · [1873-1979]

Papers of New Zealand Shipping Co Ltd. Apart from one missing volume, 1876 to 1879, there are continuous minute books of Directors' meetings in London from 1874 to 1971; copies of the 'Colony' Board minutes, 1890 to 1904, illustrate the changeover from New Zealand to London management. There is also a volume of minutes of General Meetings of shareholders held in London, 1888 to 1971. The Directors' minute books of the Federal Steam Navigation Company cover the period 1892 to 1964. Routine account books are not part of the collection, although there are isolated cash books, journals and ledgers of the affiliated companies: three early cash books of the company, 1873 to 1892; and a series of private ledgers both for the company, 1900 to 1954 and the Federal Line, 1904 to 1936. Files on contracts and agreements exist for the period 1912 to 1943. The company's interest in the New Zealand passenger trade is well documented in the minutes and correspondence; details of the early homeward voyages date from 1883 to 1887 and there is a long series of 'outward' (i.e. London to New Zealand) passenger books, 1894 to 1955. These contain names only and are unindexed. Passengers apart, there are general steamers' movement books from 1906 to 1971. Two books set out the early victualling scales, 1876 and 1879. A good sample of vessels' voyage files survives, 1966 to 1971. Early correspondence is limited to three private letter and telegram books, 1912 to 1936, of C.J. Cowan (d 1944) who was chairman of the company from 1928 until his death. The bulk of the letter files is concerned with exchanges with London, Wellington and Sydney, and with conference letters and circulars, 1960 to 1971. A series of files, 1940 to 1970, relates to subjects like freight negotiations, research and programming. The launching and operations of the three Federal Line tankers, 1958 to 1960, are also on file. The private files of C.A.W. Dawes (1919- ) chairman of the company from 1966 to 1970, deal with the specialized situations which call for the attention of senior management. On the technical side there are Marine Superintendents'reports, 1901 to 1971, together with vessels'plans and handbooks for use on board ship. Records of the affiliated companies mentioned above are as follows: New Zealand and African Steam Shipping Company Ltd, minute books, 1902 to 1911, register of members, 1902 to 1909, Memorandum and Articles of Association; Montreal Australia New Zealand Line, account books 1956 to 1971; American and Australian Steamship Line, account books, 1956 to 1971; Avenue Shipping, minute book, 1954 to 1962; Crusader Line, correspondence and information, 1965 to 1967; Dolphin Line, correspondence and circulars, 1967 to 1970. (Section 3: NZS/: 275ft: 84m) Ships' Plans: there are also plans for ships of the company in the P&O collection of plans.

New Zealand Shipping Co Ltd
GB 0096 MS 731 · 1780

Papers relating to property of John Michie, Director of the East India Company, at 'Muffets' or North Mimms, Hertfordshire, comprising a list of the fields, woods, etc. with their acreages, dated May 1780. There is also a list of those paying land tax, with the amounts, headed 'Present rate of North Myms Common' 7 Jul 1780.
On the reverse of one list is a brief memorandum headed 'By the Joint Committee of private Trade and Shipping', concerning an enquiry into the conduct of captain Peter Douglas of the Queen and Captain John Coggan of the Shrewsbury for 'parting company outward bound contrary to the orders of the Secret Committee' in 1777, dated 5 May 1780, initialled by four of the Company directors, and with a note that it was read in court. The documents are accompanied by a wrapper endorsed 'Muffets. (Account of Grounds by Messrs. Michie'.

Unknown