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

 

Other Ephemera

Track Chart of the Union-Castle Line Steamships, 1929.

Fleet List and Tonnage (1929)

1. M.V. Winchester Castle :- About 20 000 Tons (Building)
2. M.V. Warwick Castle :- About 20,000 Tons (Building)
3. M.V. Carnarvon Castle :- 20,063 Tons
4. SS Arundel Castle :- 19,023 Tons
5. SS Windsor Castle :- 18,967 Tons
6. SS Bal Moral Castle :- 13,361  Tons
7. SS Edinburgh Castle :- 13.330 Tons
8. SS Kenilworth Castle :- 12.975 Tons
9. SS Armadale Castle :- 12,973 Tons
10. SS Walmer Castle :- 12,546 Tons
11. SS Saxon :- 12,385 Tons
12. M.V. Llangibby Castle :- About 11,000 Tons (Building)
13. SS Llanstephan Castle :- 11,293 Tons
14. SS Llandaff Castle :- 10,786 Tons
15. SS Llandovery Castle :- 10,609 Tons
16. M.V. Dunbar Castle :- About 10,000 Tons (Building)
17. SS Kildonan Castle :- 9.688 Tons
18. SS Durham Castle :- 8,239 Tons
19. SS Dunluce Castle :- 8,130 Tons
20. SS Gloucester Castle :- 7,999 Tons
21. SS Guildford Castle :- 7,995 Tons
22. SS Garrth Castle :- 7,715 Tons
23. SS Sandgate Castle :- 7,634 Tons
24. SS Grantully Castle :- 7,612 Tons
25. SS Sandown Castle :- 7.607 Tons
26. SS Chepstow Castle :- 7,494 Tons
27. SS Ripley Castle :- 7,446 Tons
28. SS Glengorm Castle :- 6,763 Tons
29. SS Bampton Castle :- 6,698 Tons
30. SS Bratton Castle :- 6,696 Tons
31. SS Banbury Castle :- 6.429 Tons
32. SS Carlow Castle :- 5,833 Tons
33. SS Dundrum Castle :- 5,259 Tons
34. SS Dromore Castle :- 5,242 Tons
35. SS Crawford Castle :- 4.383 Tons
36. SS Rovuma :- 1,239 Tons
37. SS Eider :- 1,236 Tons
38. SS Hansa :- 880 Tons
39. SS Stork :- 278 Tons
40. 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.