British shipping companies (F)

Last modified: 2021-05-29 by rob raeside
Keywords: shipping lines |
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• Field Steamship Co., Ltd.
• Finland-London Steamship Co., Ltd.
• James Fisher & Sons Ltd.
• Joseph Fisher & Sons
• Fisher Renwick & Co.
• Fisher Renwick Manchester-London Steamers, Ltd.
• Fleetwod Steam Fishing Co., Ltd.
• Fletcher, Woodhill & Co.
• FOCS Container Service, Ltd.
• Charles H. Ford
• J.J. & C.W. Forster
• Forth Tugs Ltd.
• Forward Steam Fishing Co.

• House flags of British shipping companies
• House flags of shipping companies
• United Kingdom

Field Steamship Co., Ltd.

image by Ivan Sache, 1 May 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Field Steamship Co., Ltd. (#1547, p. 110), a Stockton-based shipping company, as a long blue pennant, in the center a white lozenge charged with a red cross patty.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#75
Ivan Sache, 1 May 2021

Finland-London Steamship Co., Ltd.

also Sea Transport Co., Ltd.
Goodworth & Graham

image by Ivan Sache, 4 May 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of the Finland-London Steamship Co., Ltd, also Sea Transport Co., Ltd. (Goodworth & Graham) (#1883, p. 126) as swallow-tailed, blue with a white "M" in the center.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#91
Ivan Sache, 4 May 2021

by Rob Raeside

by Rob Raeside

James Fisher & Sons plc. A coastal shipping company dating from 1847 and still operating. Griffin 1895 shows a red flag with a white "F" and then from Lloyds 1904 onwards sources show the addition of a white panel with a blue "F" placed on it although Harnack differs by showing Ivan's version, though with a black "F" pre WW2 with post WW2 sources from Stewart 1953 onwards showing Ivan's version of white with a red border and a blue "F" although Brown has a wider border [or a bigger white panel on red, it depends on one's preference I suppose as to how such designs are described]. Some sources have shown the letter as black and these include the later editions of Brown in 1982 and 1995 and this colour fits in with the funnels which nearly all sources show as having a black "F" on a white funnel band.
Neale Rosanoski, 23 June 2005

image by Jarig Bakker, 29 January 2006

James Fisher & Sons, p.l.c., Barrow-in-Furness - white flag bordered red; black "F".
Source: Loughran (1995)
Jarig Bakker, 29 January 2006

by Neale Rosanoski

In recent times there has been a total change, which can be made out on some ship photos, with a dark blue field with the logo [see the company website at http://www.james-fisher.co.uk/] appearing thereon to form the flag. The only description I have of the bird is that it is a "seabird".
Neale Rosanoski, 23 June 2005

image by Ivan Sache, 1 May 2021

Originally founded in 1847 in Barrow-in-Furness, the company was started by James Fisher who created a fleet of ships to transport iron-rich haematite from the Cumbrian hills to support the Industrial Revolution. By the 1870s Fishers was the largest coasting fleet in the UK and was moving with the times in the 1880s with the addition of the first steamers to the fleet. Over the decades the firm not only shipped basic bulk goods, such as stone and grain, around the coast, but also built up a reputation for handling heavy and abnormal loads – from railway locomotives and gun mountings for warships to power generators and shipments for the nuclear industry. Later trade also saw the Fisher fleet sailing to more distant destinations.
Through these many changes the company has operated a varied fleet of vessels, latterly focussing on coastal tankships, heavy lift Ro Ro vessels, nuclear fuel carriers, cableships, and a dive support vessel. Recent growth has been based on sound management and financial strength. Since 2001, under the direction of our Chairman Tim Harris, we have steadily increased the range of marine services which now provide nearly 50% of our income. We have built on the experience and expertise gained through 150 years of operating in the marine environment to make the transition from shipowner into provider of marine and specialist technical services of the highest quality.

http://www.james-fisher.co.uk/about_history.php

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of James Fisher & Sons (#1501, p. 108), a Barrow-on-Furness and Heysham Harbour-based shipping company, as red, in the center, a white rectangle charged with a blue "F".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#73
Ivan Sache, 1 May 2021

Joseph Fisher & Sons

image by Ivan Sache, 28 April 2021

Joseph Fisher & Sons Ltd, Newry were located at the Albert Basin where they had offices and coal yards. Joseph Fisher established a ship broking business in 1852, and in 1867, he invested in ship owning when he purchased shares in three locally owned sailing ships. As a coal importer, Fishers was one of the first local ship owners to invest in steamships with the purchase of the "Kilkeel" in 1892. Joseph Fisher & Sons Ltd became one of the most significant shipping owners in the Irish Sea, building up an important fleet of steam colliers trading with most of the major ports in Britain and Ireland and the north coast of France.
The company had two distinct naming schemes for their ships, places near Newry and, from 1905 onwards, trees. Names included the "Bamboo", "Broom", "Ebony", "Opepe Poplar", "Mango" and "Walnut".

In the first half of the 20th century goods imported by Fisher boats included coal, maize, flour and general cargo, with coal the most important as it was a primary fuel for local industries and households. Exports were low compared to imports. Goods exported included cattle, timber, potatoes, herrings, Mourne granite and scrap metal. Timber from the Fathom area was also exported to Wales to be used as pit-props in the coal mines. In the 1960s and 1970s the Walnut belonging to Fishers went as far as Finland to import timber.

From the mid 1950s onwards, economic conditions became more competitive. The Port of Newry could not accommodate larger vessels and the decision was made to phase out Newry Port. Joseph Fisher and Sons Ltd. was sold to Cawood Holdings in 1966. The ship canal was closed in 1974 and Newry’s trade transferred to the Port of Warrenpoint. Fisher’s premises were demolished in the 1990s and the Quays Shopping Centre built on the site of the old coal yards which served the Albert Basin.

https://www.newry.ie/newry-100-years-ago/remembering-joseph-fisher-sons-ltd-newry
Newry portal

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Joseph Fisher & Sons (#1026, p. 85) as diagonally divided red-white-blue from the lower hoist to the upper hoist, charged in the center with a blue "F".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/50/
Ivan Sache, 28 April 2021

Fisher Renwick & Co.

image by Ivan Sache, 26 April 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Fisher Renwick & Co. (#665, p. 68) as blue with three horizontal white stripes and the black letters "F.R. & Co.".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/33/
Ivan Sache, 26 April 2021

Fisher Renwick Manchester-London Steamers, Ltd.

image by Ivan Sache, 26 April 2021

Fisher Renwick started as a north-eastern ship-owner which expanded rapidly when it introduced the Manchester-London steamers coastal liner service and built the Manchester dry docks.
The company went on to introduce the first Scammell articulated lorries. It pioneered road transport with the introduction of its continuous service using Scammell rigid-eight 'Showboat' vans and rigid-eight flats.
With the advent of nationalisation Fisher Renwick again changed to become a leading supplier of contract hire vehicles to many famous firms. In 1972 it was acquired by Ryder in order to facilitate that company's development of its British vehicle hire and logistics operation.

https://www.classictractors.co.uk/shop/asp/product.asp?cookiecheck=yes&P_ID=2518
Classic Tractors

Sir George Renwick (1850-1931) MP was first elected for the Conservatives in 1900. He was a wealthy ship owner who sat for various Newcastle seats up until 1922. He was raised to the peerage in 1921.
Remarkably all five of his sons served in the First World War and survived, a factor that compelled him to a commission a war memorial for those soldiers not so fortunate. The eldest, Acting Colonel John Renwick, raised a regiment for the horse transport company and took his pack of hounds with him to France. His brothers William and Gustav were both majors in the 18th Northumberland Fusiliers and Captain George Renwick junior served in the Royal Horse Artillery Transport. Sir George's seventh child, Captain Septimus Renwick was with the Royal Scots and won the Military Cross. The fourth son, Gustav, later became MP for Stretford, 1931–1935.

https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/parliament-and-the-first-world-war/parliamentarians-and-staff-in-the-war/written-portraits-of-parliamentarians-during-the-first-world-war/sir-george-renwick/
UK Parliament

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Fisher Renwick Manchester-London Steamers, Ltd. (#664, p. 68) as blue with three horizontal white stripes and the black letters "F.R.".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/33/
Ivan Sache, 26 April 2021

Fleetwod Steam Fishing Co., Ltd.

image by Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Fleetwod Steam Fishing Co., Ltd. (#1442, p. 105), as triangular, vertically divided red-blue, with a white border all around and a white disk in the center.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#70
Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021

Fletcher, Woodhill & Co.

image by Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Fletcher, Woodhill & Co. (#1427, p. 104), a Manchester based-company, as triangular, white with the black letters "F.W. & C°".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#69
Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021

FOCS Container Service, Ltd.

by Ivan Sache, 17 March 2004

This is a UK firm nominally, but active in Canary Islands shipping (http://www.focscontainer.com/).  The flag is quartered blue and white, letters FO in the top quarters, CS in the lower ones (white letters on blue, blue on white).

Some information (extracted from the site):

"In September 2000 Oldenburg-Portugiesische Dampfschiffs-Rhederei GmbH & Co.KG (OPDR) of Hamburg acquired 100% of the shares of FOCS Canary Container Service, S.L., Tenerife from Fred. Olsen and Co, Oslo. The company subsequently switched its registration and headquarters to the United Kingdom and 'FOCS Container Service Ltd.' was formed in April 2003. The company maintained key personnel and the full agency network of the Fred. Olsen service, providing unrivalled experience and knowledge of the Canary Island market. FOCS offers a weekly fixed day service from the UK and the North Continent to/from the Canary Islands utilising OPDR vessels under a slot charter agreement. More recently the company has started to extend its service to adjacent areas."

Jan Mertens, 18 December 2003

Charles H. Ford

also J.J. Jönsson

image by Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021

Charles Ford (1852-1921) was a shipbroker, merchant and shipowner. He was in partnership with William Thompson under the name Thompson, Ford & Co., until the company was dissolved in January 1896. They owned the steamers Conniscliffe and Sandal which were both built at Hartlepool.

Having offices at 68 Church Street, West Hartlepool, besides larger steamships C.H. Ford owned and managed steam trawlers all built by Edward Bros, North Shields. Four of these were the "Annie", "Marion", "Calabria" and "Catania". The two former were sold in 1899 and the two latter were sold to Dutch owners in 1903 and registry was transferred to Holland. In 1896 Ford purchased a one third share in the barque "Mathilda" which had been built in Sundsvall in 1873. The other two thirds were owned by the skipper Johan Peter Lundgren. In 1889 Charles purchased the 269g wood brig "Lizzie & Edith" which had been built in Italy in 1872. On a voyage from Sunderland for Southampton with a cargo of coal & a crew of eight she stranded off Eccles, Palling, Norfolk in a force 9 ENE gale on 13 February 1900. Four lives were lost.

Janne Svensson of Sweden became acquainted with the shipbroker Ford and they went into business together. Starting in 1898 they had nine steamers in their fleet. To reduce operating costs the ships were ‘flagged’ out to Landskrona, Sweden where J.P. Jönsson officially stood as the owner. This explains why the ship’s flag used by Ford and Jönsson are the same. Names used by the company included Rederi A/B Lizzie, Rederi A/B Groveland and Rederi A/B Grovehurst. The company's board included, amongst others; Janne’s brothers Nils Petter and Janne Lundh, and Christian Larsson from Arild.

The company’s first ship was the Hartlepool built "Lizzie". She was sold in 1901 and replaced by a steamer of the same name. The second "Lizzie" was built in Norway in 1901. She was sold in 1915 and was wrecked in 1933.
The company also had two ships named "Arthur" both built at Hartlepool. The first "Arthur" was owned between 1899 and 1906. The second was purchased in 1908.
In 1905 they purchased the steamer "Arab" which had been built at Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1901. She was sold in 1914 and was lost to a torpedo in 1917. In 1913 the steamer "Tudhoe" was purchased from Furness, Withy & Co. She had been built at Sunderland in 1906. She was sold in 1915 and was eventually broken up in 1957.
When WW1 breaks out in the summer of 1914, because the company’s ships routes were mainly between England and Sweden, Ford decided there would be difficulties maintaining trade so decided to sell the vessels. This was done by the following year.

Hartlepool History Then & Now
https://www.hhtandn.org/venues/5196/ford

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Charles H. Ford, also J.J. Jönsson (#1441, p. 105), as yellow with a red border and a red "F" in the center.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#70
Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021

J.J. & C.W. Forster

Newcastle Steam Ship Co.

image by António Martins-Tuválkin, 5 May 2010

From a postcard collection: 10.2.1: Newcastle Steamship Company
Postcard #10, 2nd row, 1st flag of the collection reads "Newcastle Steam Ship Co." and shows a white flag with three black lozenges throughout, set side-by-side. A British company.
António Martins-Tuválkin, 5 May 2010

John & Charles Forster founded the company in 1883 with the collier "Newbiggin" and in 1891 set up the Newcastle SS Co to trade to the Mediterranean, Baltic and Black Sea. In 1906 the company expanded its trade to India and the Far East. Four ships were lost to enemy action between 1914 and 1918 and the remaining two ships were sold and the company wound up.

The company's ships were all prefixed "New-": "Newbiggin", "Newcastle", "Newquay", "Newark", "Newlyn", "Newstead", "Newholm", "Newburn", and "Newfield".

http://mariners-list.com/site_pages.php?section=Shipping+Companies&category=English&page_name=Newcastle+Steamship+Co
Mariners L

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the same house flag (#538, p. 62) for J.J. & C.W. Forster (Newcastle Steamship Co., Ltd.). This is the probable source for the "postcard collection".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#27
Ivan Sache, 25 April 2021

Forth Tugs Ltd.

image by Jarig Bakker, 25 December 2005

Forth Tugs Ltd., Grangemouth - quartered red and blue; black diamond charged with a white lighthouse.
Source: Loughran (1995)
Jarig Bakker, 25 December 2005

Forward Steam Fishing Co.

image by Ivan Sache, 22 April 2021

Lloyds Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of "Forward Steam Fishing Co., Ltd." (#273, p. 49), a company based in Grimsby, as divided red-blue by an ascending diagonal and with the letters "F" and "D" in the red and blue triangles, respectively.

See the very similar house flag of "East Anglia Steam Fishing Co., Ltd.", #270, p. 49.
Ivan Sache, 12 April 2008