Evan Thomas Radcliffe and Company: Origins and Legacy

Evan Thomas Radcliffe and Company was founded in 1878 by Evan Thomas, a British merchant. The company was initially based in Liverpool.

Evan Thomas had a strong background in trade, having worked for a shipping company before starting his own business. This experience laid the foundation for the company's future success.

The company's early years were marked by significant growth, with Evan Thomas establishing a strong reputation for reliability and integrity. This reputation was built on his commitment to fair business practices and his ability to navigate complex trade routes.

Evan Thomas Radcliffe and Company's legacy extends beyond its impressive business achievements. The company played a significant role in shaping the global trade industry, with its innovative approaches to trade and commerce influencing generations of merchants and entrepreneurs.

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Evan Thomas, a Master Mariner from Aberporth in Ceredigion, went into partnership with Henry Radcliffe, a Merthyr Tydfil businessman, in 1881 to buy their first ship together.

The combination of master mariner and businessman as partners was not uncommon at this time in Cardiff, where they raised most of the capital for the ship in Wales.

Most of the capital was raised as shares in a single ship company, with the partners risking very little of their own money and buying the ship on mortgage instead.

Captain Evan Thomas came from a family of sailors and shipowners, with his father Hezekiah Thomas owning a 47-ton ketch, Pheasant, and part-owning several other vessels.

Evan Thomas obtained his master's certificate and spent eight years as Master in Steam in the tramps of the Baltic, Mediterranean, Black Sea, and United States of America.

By 1884, Evan Thomas had given up the sea and the company he had established owned 15 tramp steamships by the time of his death at 59 in 1891.

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Henry Radcliffe was a businessman from Merthyr Tydfil, an important Welsh industrial town.

He took over the partnership of Evan Thomas after his death in 1891, teaming up with his younger brother Daniel.

Henry Radcliffe died in 1921 at the age of 66 at his home in Druidstone, St Mellons, leaving behind a son and two daughters.

He was a significant landowner in the Vale of Glamorgan and held shares in numerous companies in South Wales, including the Taff Vale Railway and Barry Railway Co.

After Henry Radcliffe's death, his brother Daniel took over the chairmanship of the company.

Evan Thomas, Radcliffe and Company was a prominent trading firm that operated in the Black Sea region during the 19th century. They played a significant role in the trade of goods such as grain, timber, and coal.

The Black Sea was a major hub for trade due to its strategic location, connecting Europe and Asia. It facilitated the exchange of goods between different regions, including the Ottoman Empire and Russia.

Evan Thomas, Radcliffe and Company's involvement in the Black Sea trade allowed them to establish relationships with various merchants and traders. This helped them to expand their business operations and increase their profits.

The firm's trade activities in the Black Sea region were influenced by the geopolitical events of the time. The Russian-Turkish War of 1828-1829, for example, had a significant impact on the trade dynamics in the region.

Evan Thomas, Radcliffe and Company's experience in the Black Sea trade demonstrates the importance of adaptability and flexibility in business. They were able to navigate the challenges of the time and maintain their position as a leading trading firm.