Brocklebank Line History and Legacy

The Brocklebank Line has a rich history that spans over a century. It was established in 1870 as a shipping company, initially operating between the UK and India.

The company's early success was largely due to its strategic partnerships with other shipping lines. This allowed it to expand its routes and services.

One of the most significant events in the Brocklebank Line's history was its involvement in the construction of the Suez Canal. The company played a key role in the canal's opening in 1869, which significantly reduced travel times and increased trade between Europe and Asia.

The Brocklebank Line's legacy continues to be felt today, with many of its ships and routes still in operation.

A fresh viewpoint: Manchester Ship Canal Tours

The Brocklebank Line has a rich history that spans over two centuries. The company was founded in 1801 in Whitehaven in Cumbria as Thos.& Jno.Brocklebank, with one sailing ship trading coal.

Brocklebank's key trading area was India, which they started focusing on after the East India Company's monopoly was abolished in 1813. They also operated in North and South America, the West Indies, and the East Indies.

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The company moved to Liverpool in 1819 and continued using sailing ships until 1901. They purchased their first steam ships in 1889.

Brocklebank's ships were known to use the Cape route until almost the end of the 19th Century. They didn't use the Suez Canal.

The company purchased shares in the Shire Line in 1906 but sold it to the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company in 1907. They then worked in partnership with the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company.

During World War 1, Brocklebank lost 9 ships and 1 was retained by the Admiralty. However, 21 ships were added to the fleet.

The company entered World War 2 with 25 excellent ships but suffered 16 losses and 1 ship was wrecked.

Related reading: Royal Mail Steam Packet Company

The long journey to restore 35025 to its former glory has been a challenging one. The loco was lucky to escape the gas axe in 1980, but it had already lost its tender after 21 years in the scrap yard.

The Southern 8P Preservation Group purchased the loco in 1986 for £7,850 and removed its asbestos lagging for an additional £1,200. The group's efforts were a crucial step in the loco's preservation.

The loco changed hands several times, moving from the Great Central Railway to the Brocklebank Line Association and eventually to Sellindge in 2007. However, funding and support waned, and little progress was made.

A team of volunteers has since come forward to help restore the loco, with many having previously worked on Eddystone at Sellindge. Their efforts have accelerated the restoration process, and a new workshop has been set up to support the project.

The team's initial focus was on clearing the overgrown site of vegetation, dumped cars, and other debris. They also acquired a third container to serve as a workshop, marking a significant milestone in the restoration process.

35025 arrived at Woodham's scrap yard in 1965, alongside around 200 other locos, and spent 21 years there before being saved.

The Southern 8P Preservation Group bought the loco for £7,850 and paid an additional £1,200 to have its asbestos lagging removed.

The loco was the 169th to leave Woodhams, moving to the Great Central Railway in February 1986.

It was later moved to the stub siding south of Rothley Station, where it remained for four years.

The GCR gave the Association notice to quit in 2005, and the loco eventually moved to Sellindge in 2007.

A burglary at the Loughborough parts store led to the loss of many valuable pieces, few of which were recovered.

In 2019, the Association's chairman approached SLL with a view to the loco passing to the company, and agreement was reached.

A large team of volunteers has come forward to help with the restoration, many of whom had previously worked on Eddystone at Sellindge.

The initial work involved clearing the overgrown site of vegetation, dumped cars, and other debris.

The frames needed to be moved to a place from which the loco could eventually leave the site.

A third container was acquired to serve as a workshop.

Here's a list of the loco's previous locations:

Wartime Managed Ships played a significant role in the restoration and operations of various vessels during World War II. Many ships were taken over from different companies and managed by other entities to ensure their continued use.

The Empire Defiance, for example, was seized from A. Lauro in 1940 and renamed Empire Defiance, serving as part of Mulberry Harbour in 1944. It was built in 1909 and had a Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 4,667.

Some ships were managed by Brocklebanks, a company that played a crucial role in the wartime management of vessels. The Gudrun Maersk, for instance, was taken over from Maersk Line in 1940 and later returned to its original owners in 1946.

The Fort Alabama, built in 1944, was returned to its original owners, Andros Shipping Co, in 1947 and renamed Gulside. The Fort Camosun and Fort Churchill, both built in 1942 and 1943 respectively, were also returned to the U.S. Maritime Commission in 1947.

Here's a list of some of the ships managed by Brocklebanks during World War II:

These are just a few examples of the many ships that were managed by various entities during World War II.

The Brocklebank Line had a long and varied history, with its first sailing ship launched in 1801. The company traded mostly with coal, but after the abolition of the Hon. East India Company's trading monopoly to India in 1813, Brocklebank entered the India trade, which became its mainstay field of operation.

Brocklebank's fleet expanded to include ships that traded to North and South America and to the West and East Indies. In 1819, the company moved from Whitehaven to Liverpool, which became its terminus port. A London to China Treaty Ports service began in 1858 and in 1860 regular services to Brazil ceased.

The company continued to operate sailing ships to India via the Cape for another 30 years after the Suez Canal opened in 1869. Its first steamship was built in 1889, but sailing ships were also operated until 1901. In 1906, Brocklebank invested in Shire Line (David Jenkins & Company) and transferred five ships to this company, which ran sailings to Japan.

Related reading: Dutch East India Company

Here is a list of some of the ships operated by Brocklebank Line:

The company's fleet continued to evolve, with Brocklebank selling its shares to members of the Cunard board of directors in 1911. The same year, Cunard purchased Anchor Line and Anchor-Brocklebank Limited was formed.

For more insights, see: Cunard Line