Industry Shipping Founded 1815 Headquarters Glasgow, Scotland | Successor Clyde Marine Group Defunct 1974 Area served United Kingdom | |
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The Clyde Shipping Company was one of the earliest shipping companies in the United Kingdom to provide steamship services.
History
The company was launched in 1815 by John Henderson, William Croil and Donald McPhee. The company initially started with two Scottish paddle steamers Industry and Trusty.
In 1856 the company was put up for sale. It was bought by the Kidston brothers, who launch the first coastwise service between Waterford and Glasgow. In 1872 the company launched a regular cargo service from Ireland to Plymouth, Southampton and London. Business was profitable, and the company expanded in 1880 with the acquisition of competing firms operating on the River Clyde.
In 1893 the co-partnership of the Kitson brothers is dissolved so that a limited company can be formed.
On 5 February 1907, the company ship SS Portland was run down near Greenock by the SS Welshman and sunk. She was carrying a cargo of whisky valued at £8,000.
Further expansion followed in 1912 when the company absorbed the Waterford Steamship Company.
During the Easter Rising in Ireland in 1916, the company`s vessel SS Rathlin is ambushed by rioters in Waterford.
In 1963 the company acquired the shipping company of Ross and Marshall. The company's Irish interests were sold to Mainport Holdings in 1974 and the rest of the company later forms part of Clyde Marine Group.