The Wilson Line by Arthur G. Credland

Front Cover, The Wilson Line / Ellerman's Wilson Line Limited by Arthur G. Credland, 2000. GGA Image ID # 20401ad64a

Synopsis

Founded in the early nineteenth century, the Wilson Line became the world's largest privately owned steamship fleet. Based in Hull, its leading trade was carrying passengers and cargo to and from Scandinavia and the Baltic States. However, the Wilson Line also moved cargo to the USA, the Mediterranean, and India.

Contents:

• Thomas Wilson & Sons - The Early Years
• The Second Generation - Expansion
• The Baccarat Scandal and a Dock Strike
• Acquisitions - A Shipyard and a Hull Rival
• Death and War
• A New Era
• Rebuilding the Fleet
• S-Ships, Spero and Farewell to the Wilson Line.

Back Cover, The Wilson Line / Ellerman's Wilson Line Limited by Arthur G. Credland, 2000. GGA Image ID # 20402d25b7

From the Back Cover

Founded in the early nineteenth century, the Wilson Line became the world's largest privately owned steamship fleet. Based in Hull, its leading trade was to and from Scandinavia and the Baltic States. However, the Wilson Line also carried cargo to the USA, the Mediterranean, and India.

Emigrants were an essential part of the company's business. Large numbers of Norwegians, Swedes, and Jewish refugees of the Tsarist pogroms were brought into Hull, transported overland to Liverpool, and shipped to America. In the 1890s, Wilson Line ships carried more cargo to the USA than the ships of any other line.

By 1919, losses from the fleet were such that the line was put up for sale. Bought by Ellerman, the name changed slightly, but the old ways continued. Ellerman's Wilson Line remained independent of the rest of the Ellerman empire.

Rebuilding the fleet was a priority, but trading conditions were difficult - with too many ships chasing the available cargo. The Second World War saw a reduction in fleet size from thirty-five to just nine, and another rebuilding program got underway in 1945. The once-lucrative American trade ceased in 1961, and the Wilson Line began using roll-on, roll-off ferries for its Gothenburg service in 1966.

In 1983, the entire Ellerman Group was put up for sale. By 1987, the company was in the hands of Trafalgar House and called Cunard-Ellerman. In 1991, P&O purchased the Ellerman Group container business and sold the remaining four ships. Every trace of Wilsons, once the largest independent steamship company in the world, had now vanished.

Library of Congress Catalog Listing

Note: This Catalog Listing Pertains to the Previous Edition.

• Personal name: Credland, Arthur G., author.
• Main title: The Wilson Line of Hull, 1831 to 1981 : the rise and fall of an empire / by Arthur G. Credland and Michael Thompson.
• Published/Created: Beverley, East Yorkshire : Hutton Press, 1994.
• Description: 143 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 23 cm.
• ISBN: 1872167586
• LC classification: HE945.E54 C74 1994
• Related names: Thompson, Michael, 1944-2020, author.
• LC Subjects: Ellerman's Wilson Line Ltd.--History. Steamboats--Great Britain--Hull--History.
• Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
• LCCN: 96204323
• Geographic area code: e-uk---
• Type of material: Book

GG Archives Catalog Listing

• Author: Arthur G. Credland
• Title: The Wilson Line
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 128
• ISBN: 0-7524-1728-2
• Publisher: Tempus Publishing, Limited
• Location: Stroud, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
• Pub. Date: February 2000
• Language: English UK
• Subjects: Ellerman's Wilson Line Ltd.--History. Steamboats--Great Britain--Hull--History.
• Size: 6 1/2" x 9 1/8"
• Dust Jacket: No
• List Price: US$18.99