Blue Anchor Line Overview and Fleet Details

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A fleet of colorful fishing boats floating on a calm sea under a clear blue sky with scattered clouds.
Credit: pexels.com, A fleet of colorful fishing boats floating on a calm sea under a clear blue sky with scattered clouds.

Blue Anchor Line is a shipping company that operates a fleet of vessels, with a focus on providing reliable and efficient transportation services. They have a diverse fleet of ships, including container ships, bulk carriers, and tankers.

The Blue Anchor Line fleet is made up of over 30 vessels, ranging in size from 10,000 to 50,000 deadweight tons. This allows them to cater to a wide range of cargo types and sizes.

Their ships are equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and communication systems, ensuring safe and smooth passage.

The Blue Anchor Line

The Blue Anchor Line was a British shipping company operating between the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Australia between 1870 and 1910.

Wilhelm Lund, a Danish-born entrepreneur, founded the company in London in 1869. His two sons, Albert Edward Lund and Friedrich Wilhelm Lund, were also involved in the business.

The company initially used sailing ships but switched to steamers between 1880 and 1890.

History

A close-up shot of a delivery van featuring a prominent blue logo and text 'prime'.
Credit: pexels.com, A close-up shot of a delivery van featuring a prominent blue logo and text 'prime'.

The Blue Anchor Line was a British shipping company operating between the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Australia between 1870 and 1910.

Wilhelm Lund founded the company in London in 1869, and his two sons, Albert Edward Lund and Friedrich Wilhelm Lund, were also involved in the business.

The company's early years saw the use of sailing ships, which were later replaced by steamers between 1880 and 1890.

Wilhelm Lund was the senior partner of the company, and his grandson, FW Lund Jr., was also involved in the business, although he was described as the chairman of directors in some newspaper reports, which seems to be an error.

The Blue Anchor Line's ships included the Yeoman, Waratah, Commonwealth, Bungaree, Culgoa, Geelong, Wilcannia, Narrung, and Wakool.

The loss of the Waratah in 1909 led to the commercial failure of the company, and its ships were sold to P&O in 1910.

Wilhelm Lund passed away in Kent in 1928, at the age of 91, after a long and successful career as a shipowner.

Intriguing read: Anchor Point Post Office

Routes

A solitary boat anchored in calm blue ocean waters under a clear sky.
Credit: pexels.com, A solitary boat anchored in calm blue ocean waters under a clear sky.

The Blue Anchor Line's routes spanned across the globe, connecting major ports and islands. The company's flagship route was the London - Australia - China - London (sail) route, which was a significant undertaking at the time.

The Blue Anchor Line's routes were extensive, covering multiple continents and islands. One notable route was London - Tenerife - Capetown - Adelaide - Melbourne - Hobart - Launceston - Sydney.

The Blue Anchor Line also ventured into the Pacific, with a route that connected Sydney to Suva and Levula in the Fiji Islands. This route was likely popular with travelers and traders alike.

In 1904, the Blue Anchor Line added Albany to its route network, expanding its reach even further. This addition likely brought new opportunities for trade and travel.

On a similar theme: Blue Point Post Office

Shipment Stats

The Blue Anchor Line is a shipping powerhouse, moving massive amounts of goods across the globe.

With a total of 6,437,252 shipments, it's clear that the Blue Anchor Line is a busy operation. This number is staggering, and it gives you an idea of just how much cargo they're handling.

Their total volume is an even more impressive 12,102,764 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units). To put that into perspective, that's a lot of shipping containers.

The average shipment size is 1.88 TEUs, which means they're often moving smaller, more specialized cargo. This could be anything from machinery to electronics.

Vessels

Credit: youtube.com, RMS Olympic (Blue Anchor Line) REMASTERED

The Blue Anchor Line's fleet of vessels is a key part of its operations, with a focus on reliability and efficiency. They have a diverse range of ships, including cargo vessels, tankers, and passenger ships.

Blue Anchor Line's vessels are designed to navigate challenging waters, with some ships able to traverse icy seas and others equipped for tropical voyages.

The company's vessels are equipped with advanced navigation systems, including GPS and radar, to ensure safe passage.

Fleet Overview

The company was formed in London in 1869 by Wilhelm Lund. He previously owned a part share in the JEDDO, which likely gave him valuable experience in the shipping industry.

The company's early voyages were to Australia with passengers and cargo, then northbound in ballast to China where tea was loaded for the homeward passage. This route was common at the time, but it became less attractive after the Suez Canal opened in 1874.

Credit: youtube.com, Vessel tracking with BigOceanData - Fleet Management Introduction

In 1880, Lund took delivery of his first steamship, marking a significant shift in the company's operations. Steamships were more efficient and faster than sailing vessels.

The company dropped the China route in favour of direct Australia routes, which became more popular after the Suez Canal opened. This change likely improved the company's profits and efficiency.

The company's fleet included sailing vessels until 1890, when Lund sold the last of them. He had invested in steamships, which were becoming the norm in the industry.

The company's newest ship, WARATAH, disappeared off South Africa in 1909, resulting in the loss of 211 lives. This tragic event had a lasting impact on the company.

Sailing Ships

Sailing Ships were a common sight on the seas during the 19th century.

The Ambassador, built in 1869, was a ton barque that was sold to Burgess & Co, London in 1890.

The largest sailing ship listed was the Harland, built in 1885, with a GRT of 1,742.

Dramatic ocean scene with sailing ships under a vibrant sky and sun rays breaking through clouds.
Credit: pexels.com, Dramatic ocean scene with sailing ships under a vibrant sky and sun rays breaking through clouds.

Some of these sailing ships were purchased and sold multiple times. For example, the Mikado was purchased from W. Walker, Rotherhithe in 1874 and sold to J. M. Way, London in 1884.

Here's a list of some of the sailing ships mentioned:

The lifespan of these sailing ships was relatively short, with many being scrapped by the 1890s.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you track a blue anchor line?

To track a Blue Anchor Line shipment, enter your Bill of Lading or booking number for real-time location updates. Get instant visibility into your container's whereabouts.

Nellie Kling

Copy Editor

Nellie Kling is a seasoned copy editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for clear, concise writing. She has honed her skills over years of experience, ensuring that every article she touches is polished and engaging. Nellie's expertise shines through in her coverage of cruise line news, where she provides insightful and well-researched content that captivates her audience.

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