Union-Castle Line History and Ephemera
The Union-Castle Line offered many passenger and freight services including Royal Mail Service; Intermediate Steamship Class Service, East African Coast Service, Mauritius Service and Service to Lobito. For the UK, They served the ports of London and Southampton.
Union-Castle Line Ephemera
1904-10-08 Steamship Ticket Record - Union-Castle Line
A detached counterpart to a Steerage Passenger's Contract Ticket for passage on the RMS Arundale Castle of the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, Limited. Voyage was from Southampton to Cape Town departing on 1904-10-08.
1906-11-12 Steerage Contract Ticket - Southampton to Natal
Extraordinary original Steerage Passenger's Contract Ticket for a 27 year old man from Southampton, England for passage to Natal, South Africa in 1906. It provides rich details of the requirements of the steamship company in terms of food, water and other items supplied during the journey.
1907-09-16 Counterpart to Third Class Passage Ticket
Third Class Counterpart Passage Ticket Issued to F. R. Peverall by the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company on 16 September 1907 for Third Class passage on the SS Garka from Cape Town to England. Cost of the Ticket was £10:10:0. Includes Contract Terms and Conditions and Notice to Passengers.
1911-07-15 RMS Walmer Castle Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: First and Second Class
- Date of Departure: 15 July 1911
- Route: Southampton for Capetown via Madeira, Algoa Bay, East London, and Natal
- Commander: Captain F. Whitehead, R.N.R.
1912-11-15 Deck Class Ticket - RMS Dunvegan Castle
Rare Deck Class Steamship Ticket of the Union Castle Line for passage from Port Said to Delogoa Bay on the RMS Dunvegan Castle dated 15 November 1912.
1920-11-19 RMS Armadale Castle Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
- Class of Passengers: First and Second Class
- Date of Departure: 12 November 1920
- Route: Southampton to Natal via Madeira, Cape Town, Algoa Bay and East London
- Commander: Captain J. W. Hague, R.N.R.
1927-11-04 R.M.M.V. Carnarvon Castle Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: First and Second Class
- Date of Departure: 4 November 1927
- Route: Southampton for Capetown via Madeira, Algoa Bay, East London, and Natal
- Commander: Captain W. F. Stanley
1929-05-23 SS Llandaff Castle Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: First Class
- Date of Departure: 23 May 1929
- Route: London to South Africa via the Mediterranean
- Ports of Call: London to Natal via Marseilles, Genoa, Port Said, Port Sudan, Aden, Mombasa, Tanga, Zanzibar, DarEs-Salaam, Port Amelia, Beira and Lourenço Marques (Maputo)
- Commander: Captain E. F. Gilbert
1929-11-29 RMS Walmer Castle Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: First and Second Saloon
- Date of Departure: 29 November 1929
- Route: Capetown to Southampton via Madeira
- Commander: Captain W. Morton Betts
1936-05-25 SS Dunluce Castle Dinner Menu
Rare Vintage Dinner Menu from 25 May 1936 on board the SS Dunluce Castle of the Union-Castle Line featured Mignon of Beef Benjamin, Supreme of Turbot, Sauce Riche, and Junket aux Fraises Chantilly for dessert.
1939-07-13 RMMV Stirling Castle Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
- Class of Passengers: Cabin and Tourist Third Cabin
- Date of Departure: 13 July 1939
- Route: Southampton to Durban via Madeira, Capetown, Port Elizabeth, and East London,
- Commander: Captain H. R. Northwood
1939-07-14 RMS Windsor Castle Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: Cabin and Tourist Class
- Date of Departure: 14 July 1939
- Route: Cape Town to London via Madeira
- Commander: Captain R. W. Goodacre, R.D., R.N.R
1949-04-21 R.M.M.V. Capetown Castle Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: First and Cabin Class
- Date of Departure: 21 April 1949
- Route: Southampton for Capetown, Port Elizabeth, East London, and Durban via Madeira
- Commander: Captain W. D. Roach
1949-12-15 RMS Warwick Castle Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
- Class of Passengers: First Class and Tourist
- Date of Departure: 15 December 1949
- Route: Southampton to Durban via Madeira, Capetown, Port Elizabeth, and East London
- Commander: Captain J. Trayner
1950-03-31 RMS Edinburgh Castle Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
- Class of Passengers: First and Cabin Class
- Date of Departure: 31 March 1950
- Route: Capetown to Southampton via Madeira
- Commander: Captain T. W. McAllen
1954-12-09 R.M.M.V. Winchester Castle Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: First and Tourist Class
- Date of Departure: 9 December 1954
- Route: Southampton to Durban via Madeira, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and East London
- Commander: Captain G. W. B. Lloyd
1955-06-17 RMS Edinburgh Castle Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: First and Cabin Class
- Date of Departure: 17 June 1955
- Route: Cape Town to London via Madeira
- Commander: Captain H. A. Deller
Other Ephemera
Track Chart of the Union-Castle Line Steamships, 1929.
Fleet List and Tonnage (1929)
- M.V. Winchester Castle :- About 20 000 Tons (Building)
- M.V. Warwick Castle :- About 20,000 Tons (Building)
- M.V. Carnarvon Castle :- 20,063 Tons
- SS Arundel Castle :- 19,023 Tons
- SS Windsor Castle :- 18,967 Tons
- SS Bal Moral Castle :- 13,361 Tons
- SS Edinburgh Castle :- 13.330 Tons
- SS Kenilworth Castle :- 12.975 Tons
- SS Armadale Castle :- 12,973 Tons
- SS Walmer Castle :- 12,546 Tons
- SS Saxon :- 12,385 Tons
- M.V. Llangibby Castle :- About 11,000 Tons (Building)
- SS Llanstephan Castle :- 11,293 Tons
- SS Llandaff Castle :- 10,786 Tons
- SS Llandovery Castle :- 10,609 Tons
- M.V. Dunbar Castle :- About 10,000 Tons (Building)
- SS Kildonan Castle :- 9.688 Tons
- SS Durham Castle :- 8,239 Tons
- SS Dunluce Castle :- 8,130 Tons
- SS Gloucester Castle :- 7,999 Tons
- SS Guildford Castle :- 7,995 Tons
- SS Garrth Castle :- 7,715 Tons
- SS Sandgate Castle :- 7,634 Tons
- SS Grantully Castle :- 7,612 Tons
- SS Sandown Castle :- 7.607 Tons
- SS Chepstow Castle :- 7,494 Tons
- SS Ripley Castle :- 7,446 Tons
- SS Glengorm Castle :- 6,763 Tons
- SS Bampton Castle :- 6,698 Tons
- SS Bratton Castle :- 6,696 Tons
- SS Banbury Castle :- 6.429 Tons
- SS Carlow Castle :- 5,833 Tons
- SS Dundrum Castle :- 5,259 Tons
- SS Dromore Castle :- 5,242 Tons
- SS Crawford Castle :- 4.383 Tons
- SS Rovuma :- 1,239 Tons
- SS Eider :- 1,236 Tons
- SS Hansa :- 880 Tons
- SS Stork :- 278 Tons
- SS Koodoo :- 119 Tons
Source: 1929 Union- Castle Line Passenger List - Llandaff Castle
ROYAL MAIL SERVICE
The South African Royal Mail Steamers are despatched from Southampton every Friday for the Cape Province and Natal via Madeira. On the outward journey the Royal Mail Steamers proceed as far as Durban, at which Port they commence the homeward voyage, sailing thence every Thursday; from East London every Friday; from Algoa Bay (Port Elizabeth) every Saturday; arriving at Capetown usually on Monday morning, and proceeding thence to Southampton, via Madeira, on the Friday.
Passengers landing at Madeira may enjoy a very interesting excursion to Terreiro da Lucta by the Mount Railway Company's trains which make the trip in half an hour. Tickets may be obtained from the Purser.
The Mail Service to St. Helena and Ascension is performed by the Intermediate Steamers calling at these Islands, Outward and Homeward, approximately every four weeks.
INTERMEDIATE SERVICE
The Intermediate Steamers taking First and Third Class Passengers only at lower rates than by the Royal Mail Steamers, are despatched frequently from London, for the Cape Province, Natal, Lourenço Marques (Delagoa Bay), and Beira. These Steamers proceed alternately via Las Palmas (Grand Canary) and Teneriffe.
There is a homeward service by Intermediate Steamers from the Cape Ports, Durban, Lourenco, Marques, Beira and Mauritius, via Las Palmas or Teneriffe to London.
EAST COAST SERVICE
During each period of three months two Passenger Steamers are despatched to East and South African ports via Suez, returning via the West Coast and Canary Islands, and there is a similar service to South Africa via the Canary Islands, returning via East Coast ports and Suez.
MAURITIUS SERVICE
Connection between England and Mauritius is maintained by Steamers at certain intervals.
LOBITO.
Calls at Lobito are sometimes made on the outward and homeward voyage.
OCEAN RETURN TICKETS
A reduction off the amount of two Single Fares is made on Ocean Return Tickets. Ocean Return Tickets are available for twelve months.
SINGLE TICKETS, RE-BOOKING ALLOWANCE
Passengers who have taken a Single Ticket only from England or South Africa (paying the full single tariff fare thereon), and who return within twelve months from the date of embarkation, will be allowed a reduction of 10 per cent. on the amount of the single journey back, on production of the counterfoil of the first single ticket taken by them. This concession does not apply to passages Coastwise or to Ports at which the Steamers of the Union-Castle Line do not call.
The period of twelve months specified above cannot under any circumstances be extended.
PREPAID PASSAGES, OUTWARD OR HOMEWARD
Passages can be prepaid in England or South Africa for friends on the other side, and advice of such passages can be sent by cable at a small additional expense if desired. The Company, however, does not accept any responsibility for any inaccuracy, mistake or oversight on the part of the Company's Servants or Agents, or any other persons, in the wording, despatch or delivery of any telegram or letter in connection with these prepaid passages, or for any consequences arising therefrom.
Remittances of small amounts can also be made to passengers at the same time.
Handbook of Information for Passengers can be obtained gratis from the Purser on board.
THE SOUTH AND EAST AFRICAN YEAR BOOK AND GUIDE, nearly 1,000 pages with 64 pages of maps in colour, On sale in the Hairdresser's Shop, price 2/6.
