Oldest Shipping Company in the World

[Tony Frost]

According to "Wikipedia" Stephenson Clarke est.1730 as from 26th.July 2012 gone into liquidation.

[Captain Gordon Whittaker]

What a shame. They had smart ships and I learned my Coastal skills and navigation on them. I seem to remember the crew telling me that "The new lad", had only been there for 10 years. North East Coast Agreement was excellent, as I took my time off on the Thames, letting the Geordies go home, whilst I did the loading on Tyne & Wear. Happy days!

[Captain Kong]

I think it used to be MacAndrews 1700+ but they got took over by Bank Line, So another one disapears.
Wrong just checked, Macs started 1770 now part of CMA
Cheers
Brian

[j.sabourn]

Was the East India Company not classed as a shipping company of sorts. What sort of year was that instigated? John Sabourn.

[Charlie Hannah]

I sailed on the Chailey one of Stephenson Clarke's in 57.

[Doc Vernon]

They had a lovely House Flag!
Cheers

Flag.jpg

[Glenn Baker]

That is sad seeing the end of such a long standing Shipping Company. We have truly seen the best days of Shipping when the Pools were banked up with Jobs to anywhere.
Kids today wouldnt believe us, i call it the Twenty year gap, its sad . all the best Glenn in Oz

[Capt Bill Davies]

Should this thread be re named oldest in the UK. I have doubts about info taken from certain online sources.

[Garry Postle]

I had the pleasure of do my first two trips as galley boy in 1978/79, MV Donnington and the maiden voyage of the Ashington were a AB think he was called dug jumped over the side after his misses left him.

Was a good company to work for had a great time learning about life on those to ships.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Also learnt my coastal craft in Stephenson Clarkes, 'Totland, 'Broadhurst' 'Henfield' also with Everards, different end of the spectrum but all good for learning navigation skills, rule of the road, close quarter navigation - both ships and land, with very basic equipment aboard and those above you only too willing to pass on their knowledge, unlike some deep sea men I sailed with, but hasten to add also sailed with good deep sea Masters and Mates giving juniors responsibility above their remit that was never expected but highly appreciated. But without a doubt rock dodgers are a quick learning curve where everyone pulls their weight and is more of a family unit even with 20/25 crew aboard on the larger vessels. Happy days!