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British shipping companies (B)

Last modified: 2024-07-13 by rob raeside
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Beckingham & Co.

[Beckingham & Co. houseflag] image by Ivan Sache, 26 April 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Beckingham & Co. (#720, p. 71), a Newcastle-based company, as red with a white lozenge inscribing a black "B".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/36/
Ivan Sache, 26 April 2021


Beaver Line

[W.H. Beeley houseflag] image by António Martins-Tuválkin, 25 May 2024

The houseflag of this company (or service?) is shown at row 2 with col.3 on card n.º D55, one of the six cards of set [o9oXXb]: It’s one of those conceptual flags that are made of two actual flag objects on the same rope — this time it’s a bigger rectangular flag and above it a small, very long (both flags with the same width), blue pennant. The main flag has a thick blue border along all edges, around a black on white drawing of a beaver on a riverbank.

The whole of the two items is shown as slightly less oblong than 2:3; the pennant being ~1:5 and the main flag ~1:2, with the border being about 1/8th of the main flag’s own height. The image of the animal itself (whose head profile reminds me more of an otter) is mostly in profile, facing the hoist and crouching by the water, with grass in the fore and two shrubs in the background. The shade of blue, compared with both lighter and darker tones of other flags on the same card, is medium.

Concerning the entity Beaver Line itself, I reached a conundrum, as two entities called Beaver Line existed with this name: a subsidiary of Canadian company Elder Dempster and Co. Ltd., acquired in 1899 (too early for this source), and a 2010 trading name for an attempted reopening of British railway Sharpness Branch Line (too late for this source). 
António Martins-Tuválkin, 25 May 2024


W.H. Beeley

[W.H. Beeley houseflag] image by Ivan Sache, 28 April 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of W.H. Beeley (#1040, p. 86), a Grimsby-based company, as horizontally divided blue-red-blue.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/51/
Ivan Sache, 28 April 2021


Belfast, Mersey & Manchester S.S. Co.

[Belfast, Mersey & Manchester S.S. Co. houseflag] image by James Dignan

Based on Sampson (1957)
James Dignan, 11 October 2003

This company was a subsidiary of Coast Lines.
Phil Nelson, 11 October 2003

[Belfast, Mersey & Manchester S.S. Co. houseflag] image by Rob Raeside

Belfast, Mersey & Manchester S.S. Co. Sources disagree over whether the letters were blue or black, or the red shown here. Originated as the Belfast & Mersey Steamship Co. with a similar flag bearing a larger white diamond and the blue letters "B+M" over "S.S.Co."
Neale Rosanoski, 9 February 2004

[Belfast, Mersey & Manchester S.S. Co. houseflag] image by Jarig Bakker, based on the website of the National Maritime Museum.

From the website of the National Maritime Museum, "the house flag of the Belfast Mersey and Manchester Steam Ship Co. Ltd, Belfast. A red rectangular flag with a white diamond in the centre and black letters 'BMM'. The flag is made of a wool and synthetic fibre bunting. It has a cotton hoist and is machine sewn. A rope and toggle is attached.

The company traded under the name of Belfast Mersey and Manchester Steam Ship Co. Ltd from 1929, specializing in carrying cargo, particularly cattle between Belfast and Liverpool. The company was taken over by Coast Lines in 1945 from its managing owners Samuel Lawther & Sons of Belfast and John J. Mack & Sons Ltd, Liverpool. Its fleet merged with that of the Belfast Steamship Co. in 1960, its vessels retaining their former owner's house flag and funnel colours until the last was withdrawn from service in 1969. The company is now part of P&O."
Jarig Bakker, 4 August 2004


James Bell & Co.

[James Bell & Co. houseflag] image by Ivan Sache, 26 April 2021

From Volume 2 of British Ocean Tramps by J. N. Thomas
James Bell moved from Hartlepool to Hull in 1900. In 1912 he acquired a fleet of steamers that traded to the Baltic and also became the owner of a fleet of sailing ships engaged in the West Indies trade.
In 1920 there were 6 vessels all trading to the east, Sourabaya, Melbourne, Rangoon and Geelong.
Companies managed were James Bell and Co., Anglo-European S.S. Co Ltd., The Bell Line Ltd., Hereford Shipping Co. Ltd., Keighley Shipping Co. Ltd., Peterborough Shipping Co. Ltd., Bellview Shipping Co. Ltd., Dover Shipping Co. Ltd., Halifax Shipping Co. Ltd. and Keighley Shipping Co (1929) Ltd.
The fleet was disbanded in 1933.

https://www.shipsnostalgia.com/threads/sir-james-bell-of-hull.32202/
Ships Nostalgia, 14 February 2010

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of James Bell & Co. (#721, p. 71) as blue with a yellow bell.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/36/
Ivan Sache, 26 April 2021


Bellamy & Co.

[Bellamy & Co. houseflag] image by Ivan Sache, 24 April 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Bellamy & Co. (#415, p. 56), a Plymouth-based company, as white with a red cross superimposed by a red rectangle framing a yellow saltire cantonned by four black devices.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#21
Ivan Sache, 24 April 2021


Bell Brothers & Co.

[Bell Brothers & Co. houseflag] image by Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021

Sir James Bell was born in Glasgow, 16th January, 1850, and received his education at Glasgow High School and Glasgow Academy. He is a partner in the firm of Bell Brothers & McLelland, steamship owners. In 1888, when acute public interest was aroused in the affairs of the Clyde Trust, he stood as one of the ratepayers' candidates for that body, and was returned at the top of the poll. Two years later he entered the Town Council unopposed, as member for the old eighth ward, and in 1892 was unanimously chosen to succeed Sir John Muir, Bart., as Lord Provost. He held office for the unusual period of four years, and had the unique experience of being twice unanimously chosen Lord Provost. The second occasion was in 1895, when, in consequence of the extension of the city boundaries, and the rearrangement of Glasgow into twenty-five wards, a new election of the entire Council was appointed to take place in 1896. In the circumstances Sir James was induced to retain office for the intervening year.

A skilful yachtsman, Rear-Commodore and Vice-Commodore of the Royal Clyde Yacht Club, he was chairman in 1887 of the syndicate which built the famous "Thistle", now the German Emperor's "Meteor", which competed unsuccessfully with General Pain's "Volunteer" for the America Cup. He also in the successive offices of Honorary Secretary, Chairman, Vice-President and President of the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine arts, from 1887 to 1898, did great service not only to the Institute itself, but to the cause of art in Glasgow. in 1S96, when the unfortunate strike of the Belfast and Clyde engineers had lasted for fifteen and twelve weeks respectively, it was brought to an end by the mediation of Sir James Bell and Lord James of Hereford.

http://www.glasgowwestaddress.co.uk/1909_Glasgow_Men/Bell_Sir_James.htm
Index of Glasgow Men (1909)

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Bell Brothers & Co. (#1286, p. 98) as horizontally divided blue-white-blue with a blue "B" in the center.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#63
Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021


Belle Steamers

[Belle Steamers houseflag]image by Eugene Ipavec, 13 March 2009

The Belle Steamers – all of them paddle steamers – were operated by the ‘London, Woolwich & Clacton-on-Sea Steamship Co.’ from 1888 on. This firm expanded during the following years despite serious competition on the passenger routes linking London and various harbours in South England. By the end of the century it had become the number one in that area. For one year – 1896 – the company was actually called ‘Belle Steamers Ltd’ but this well-known commercial name officially disappeared in 1897 upon the merger with the firms operating the piers at Clacton and Walton and others to form the ‘Coast Development Co.’ Pier access for berthing and fast ships proved major assets in competing with the General Steam Navigation Co. In 1905 the Co. became a Corporation and almost ousted General Steam in the area but other (land) modes of transport were expanding. Growing losses plus the outbreak of war in 1914 led to the firm’s winding up in 1915. The paddle steamers, operated by various companies (one of them named ‘Belle Steamers Ltd’), would continue to sail for many years.

Sources:
http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/BelleSteamers.html
http://www.southwoldmuseum.org/Transport%20popups/Steamers_popup.htm

The first link to the relevant Simplon Postcards page leads to a number of period illustrations a number of which shows the house flag, a pennant really: vertically divided red-white-red with initials ‘BS’ counterchanged: white ‘B’ in the red hoist stripe and red ‘S’ in the central white stripe. Direct link to black and white photo of ‘Southend Belle’ showing house flag beneath name pennant (onomast): http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/BelleSteamers/SouthendBelle-10_900.jpg, giving the impression that the pennant was longer – in relation to its height – than suggested by the coloured drawings.
Sources:
http://website.lineone.net/~tom_lee/belle1913.htm
http://library.mysticseaport.org/initiative/Impage.cfm?PageNum=60&bibid=11061&ChapterId=8 (found in the on-line 1912 Lloyds Flags & Funnels)

Jan Mertens, 11 March 2009


Berwindmoor Steamship Co., Ltd. & Berwindwale Steamshop Co., Ltd.

[Berwindmoor Steamship Co., Ltd. & Berwindwale Steamshop Co., Ltd. houseflag] image by Ivan Sache, 1 May 2021

The Berwindmoor Steamship Co. wound up voluntarily on 10 August 1936 (The London Gazette, 14 August 1936). The Berwindvale Steamship Co. was liquidated on 10 December 1924 (The London Gazette, 7 November 1924).

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Berwindmoor Steamship Co., Ltd. and Berwindvale Steamship Co., Ltd. (#1503, p. 108), two Liverpool-based shipping companies, as white with a red border, in the center, a blue disk.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#73
Ivan Sache, 1 May 2021

[Berwindmoor Steamship Co., Ltd. & Berwindwale Steamshop Co., Ltd. houseflag] image by Ivan Sache, 1 May 2021

A similar flag is shown, with a thinner border, on a card portraying SS "Berwindlea", dated 1933 (card manufactured by Jasmatzi in 1933. Size approximately 1 3/8 x 2 3/8 inches. Text in German). The "Berwindlea" was built in 1929 by the Blythswood Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Scotstoun, Glasgow; she was probably the world’s first ship to use pulverised fuel. The pulverising equipment comprised "two Resolutor pulverizers, Wodeson's patent burners and ringmain distribution". The full equipment "worked quite satisfactory" during the ship's first voyage from Glasgow to Marseilles, 14-22 August 1929 (The Montreal Gazette, 15 November 1929). The "Berwindlea" wrecked on 23 October 1935 on Dead Man's Rock in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada.
Ivan Sache, 1 May 2021


Ben Line / Thomson & Co.

[Ben Line houseflag] image by Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021, based on the website of the National Maritime Museum.

From the website of the National Maritime Museum, "the house flag of Ben Line, Edinburgh. A white rectangular flag with broad red border and a blue anchor in the centre. The flag is made of a wool and synthetic fibre bunting. It has a cotton hoist and is machine sewn. A rope and toggle is attached.

The company was founded in 1825 by two brothers Alexander and William Thomson who set up as shipbrokers in Leith. Their family had a background in the building trade and marble importation. With a declining demand for marble, Thomsons' ships exported coal to Canada and imported timber. From the 1850s the company began to explore routes to the Far East. The company took delivery of their first steamer in 1871 shortly after the opening of the Suez Canal. From the 1860s, the trade in Canadian timber trade ceased to be economical and was replaced by a steamer trade to the Baltic; this side of the business continued until 1927.

In 1919 Ben Line Steamers Ltd was formed, ending 'one ship accounting'. In 1972 Ben Line Ship Management Ltd was formed with Galbraith Wrightson Ltd as part of a diversification programme. During the 1970s the company also became involved in oil drilling, containerisation and chemical transport. In 1991, it combined with East Asiatic Co., Copenhagen, to run a weekly service to the Far East. The firm's role as a ship owner ended the following year when they sold all their remaining ships."
Jarig Bakker, 5 August 2004

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the same house flag (#1225, p. 95) for Thomson & Co. (Ben Line).
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#60
Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021


Belfast Steamship Co. Ltd

[Belfast Steamship Co. Ltd houseflag] image by Ivan Sache, 14 March 2004

Belfast Steamship Co. Ltd. Formed in 1851 and for a long time under the control of Coast Line Ltd., the fleet ended up being absorbed as part of P&O Ferries Ltd. Griffin 1895 reverses the colours i.e. a red circle on a white pennant but this would appear to be simply an error as nobody else, before or after, suggests that such a flag ever existed.
Neale Rosanoski, 9 February 2004

[Belfast Steamship Co. Ltd houseflag] image by Ivan Sache, 3 May 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the same flag (#1662, p. 116), but more elongated and with a smaller disk.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#81
Ivan Sache, 3 May 2021


J.H. Bennets

[J.H. Bennets houseflag] image by Ivan Sache, 28 April 2021

JH Bennetts, Colliery Agent, Ship Owners and Broker, Albert Street, Penzance.
Besides having been a town Councillor for several years, he was also a Guardian of the Poor for the Madron Union. “He is a large importer of coal from Lancashire and other parts, being sole agent for the well known Ellerbeck Collieries. When Mr Bennetts commenced his business 14 years ago, the whole of the coal was brought into Penzance by sailing vessels. His two steamships, "Ormerod" and "Vril" 440 tons, illustrates the new order of things, under which contracts can be more advantageously made and more promptly carried out.

https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~treevecwll/family/jhb.htm
The Acorn Archive, Hearts of Oak

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of J.H. Bennets (#1053, p. 87) as swallow-tailed, red with the white letters "JB".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/52/
Ivan Sache, 28 April 2021


Alan C. Bennett & Partners

[Alan C. Bennett & Partners houseflag] image by Jarig Bakker, 28 November 2005

Alan C. Bennett & Partners, Rochester - horizontal black-white-blue flag, with on black at the hoist yellow "ACB".
Source: Loughran (1995)
Jarig Bakker, 28 November 2005


Bennett S.S. Co. Ltd.

[Bennett S.S. Co. Ltd. houseflag] image by Ivan Sache, 25 April 2021

The Yorkshireman John B. Bennett of Goole owned the Bennett S.S. Co. Ltd. It had been founded by his father, John Bennett, in 1873. In 1931 Bennett was ordered by the Army Council to cease using its markings. There then began a battle, which lasted almost as long as the company owned ships. Bennett pointed out that his father's use of the markings has long antedated the Act which forbade them. He argued the injustice of forcing him to abandon a symbol which has been in use for over 50 years, with the exception of the war period. For a further four and a half years, he countered every argument and finally, when it seemed that the War Office was poised to crack this tiny shipping company, he had the field of flag and funnel band colored to a very pale buff. Bennett considered himself undefeated, for the shade was virtually indistinguishable from white at any distance. Yet it fulfilled the requirements to the letter. Sadly, his shipping company was wiped out by war losses. After the war, a service under the name of the Bennett S.S. Co., was operated from Goole by the General S.N. Co., and as late as the 1960s the red cross could occasionally be seen.
Jarig Bakker

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the same house flag (#505, p. 61)
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#26
Ivan Sache, 25 April 2021


T.G. Best

[T.G. Best houseflag] image by Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of T.G. Best (#1366, p. 102), as diagonally divided from lower hoist to upper fly red-white-blue, the stripes charged respectively with a white "T", a red "G" and a white "B".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#67
Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021


H. Bernstein

[H. Bernstein houseflag] image by Ivan Sache, 27 April 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of H. Bernstein (#788, p. 74), a Grimsby-based company, as white with a gray monogram of the Prince of Wales feathers.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/39/
Ivan Sache, 27 April 2021


T. Beynon & Co., Ltd.

[T. Beynon & Co., Ltd. houseflag] image by Ivan Sache, 1 May 2021

Thomas Beynon described himself in 1876 as a "shipowner and coal merchant". A former Mayor of Newport (listed as "re-elected" in 1881), he was succeeded in shipping business by his son, Sir John Beynon.

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of T. Beynon & Co., Ltd. (#1537, p. 110), a Cardiff-based shipping company, as red, in the center a red six-pointed star outlined in white and charged with a white "B.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#75
Ivan Sache, 1 May 2021


British Shipping lines: continued