Harrison Line Overview and Expansion

The Harrison Line has a rich history, and it's interesting to note that it was originally built in 1852.

The line was constructed to connect the city of Harrison to the surrounding areas, and it played a crucial role in the region's economic development.

Initially, the line was a single-track railway, but it was upgraded to a double-track line in the late 1800s.

Worth a look: Thomas Harrison (ship)

The Harrison Line has a rich history that dates back to 1853 when the Harrison brothers took over the company after George Brown's death. They had previously been partners in the firm of George Brown and Harrison, and their original trade was importing brandy and wine from Tonnay-Charente in France.

The company's early success was largely due to a treaty between Britain and France that reduced customs duties on French spirits and wine, which encouraged the Harrisons to invest in their business. In 1860, they bought their first two steamships and began to replace their sailing ships with more modern vessels.

The Harrison Line continued to grow and expand, and in 1871, they grouped their disparate holdings in individual ships together under the name of the Charente Steam-ship Company. This marked a significant milestone in the company's history, as it allowed them to manage their ships more efficiently and effectively.

By 1884, the Harrison Line had grown significantly, with 24 ships transferred from the old 64ths system to the new limited liability company. This marked a major turning point for the company, as it allowed them to raise capital more easily and expand their operations even further.

The Harrison Line has a rich history that spans over a century and a half. The company was founded by the Harrison brothers, Thomas and James, who moved from their family farm in Cockerham, Lancashire, to the port of Liverpool to join the thriving shipping trade.

In 1830, Thomas was apprenticed to the shipping agent Samuel Brown and Son, and in 1839, he was made a partner, changing the firm's name to George Brown and Harrison. James joined the firm in 1849.

The Harrison brothers were closely involved with Samuel Brown and were integral to the development of the Liverpool firm. They were also closely tied to Richard Williamson, a French trader who supplied cargoes of brandy from Charente.

The firm's early success led to the purchase of four small ships for the brandy trade in the late 1830s. After George Brown's death in 1853, the business continued under the name of T and J Harrison, still concentrating on the brandy trade into Liverpool and London.

The Harrisons withdrew from the London market in 1863 due to price competition, which led to the firm's geographic expansion. By the late 1860s, the principal shareholders in the ships were Thomas and James, with smaller shares held by other family members and Richard Pierre Williamson in France.

Here's a brief timeline of the Harrisons' early history:

In 1871, the Charente Steam-ship Company was formed by grouping individual ships under its name, with T & J Harrison managing the fleet.

The Harrison partners controlled Charente, and with the retirement of James Harrison in 1880, active control passed to a younger generation.

Frederic James Harrison and John William Hughes took the reins, formalizing the relationship with Charente by constituting it as a limited company in 1884.

The company had 512 shares of £1,000 each, held by 32 individuals from the Harrison, Hughes, and Williamson families and their close friends.

By 1908, the number of shares had been reduced, with ownership now in the hands of five Harrisons, five Hughes, and two Williamsons.

The Harrison Line had 22 ships at the time of incorporation in 1884, but this number grew to 30 by 1890 and 57 by the outbreak of WWI.

The Harrison Line's geographic expansion was a significant factor in its growth and success. In the 1860s, the shipping line expanded its operations to include the Mediterranean fruit trade, Brazil, and India.

A liner service was started between Liverpool and New Orleans in 1866, and a permanent wharf was built for Harrisons in Galveston. This proved to be a very profitable route due to the import of cotton to Lancashire.

Harrison ships began regular sailings to India following the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. The partners were closely involved with the Canal administration and John William Hughes became a director in 1905.

The Harrison Line was actively involved in the establishment of shipping conferences, a method of regulating the international cargo trade. It was a founder member of the Calcutta Conference in 1875 and the West India, Atlantic Steamship Conference in 1904.

The Harrison Line also joined the South African Conference in 1902 and the Central Brazil Conference in 1896.

The Harrison Line had to rebuild its fleet in the years following World War II. By 1949, Harrisons had added 16 Liberty and Empire type ships, and 20 motor ships were added later.

Suggestion: Ships of Carnival Cruise Line

The company continued to expand its fleet with the purchase of three bulk carriers in 1970. These ships were named Wanderer, Wayfarer, and Warrior.

Harrisons also joined the container revolution in 1977, entering the Caribbean Ocean Lines consortium. This move marked a significant shift in the company's operations.

In 1981, Harrisons were founder members of the East African consortium, further diversifying its business interests.

Harrison Line was founded in 1853 by the brothers Thomas and James Harrison in Liverpool, England. The company started by importing French brandy from Charente.

The Harrisons' business received a major boost in 1860 due to a treaty between Britain and France, which reduced customs duties on French spirits and wine. This encouraged the Harrisons to buy their first two steamships.

The company's fleet initially consisted of sailing ships owned by individual members of the Harrison family through the 64ths system. However, they gradually replaced these with steamships, especially after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869.

Harrison Line acquired several other shipping companies, including John T. Rennie, Sons & Co Aberdeen Direct Line in 1911, and the Rankin, Gilmour fleet in 1918. These acquisitions added to their fleet and expanded their services.

Here's a list of some of the notable ships owned by Harrison Line:

Unfortunately, Harrison Line lost 27 ships to enemy action in WW1 and a further 30 in WW2. By 1988, the company only owned three ships and chartered several more, but they eventually withdrew from ship owning.

The SS Logician was a refrigerated cargo ship owned by the Harrison Line. It was built in 1922 at the Barclay, Curle & Co. Ltd. shipyard in Glasgow, Scotland.

The Logician was 5,124 gross tons and had a length of 388 feet. This made it a relatively small ship compared to some of the other vessels in the Harrison Line's fleet.

One notable feature of the Logician was its refrigerated cargo capacity, which was designed to transport perishable goods such as meat and dairy products. This was a key aspect of the ship's purpose and contributed to its success in the industry.

The Logician was involved in several notable events during its time in service, including a notable voyage to the United States in 1925.

Worth a look: Carrier Liability vs Cargo Insurance

T and J Shipping Line was a significant player in the shipping industry, but its connection to Harrison Line is worth noting.

The company's operations were closely tied to Harrison Line's routes, often sharing similar itineraries.

T and J Shipping Line was known for its reliability and efficiency, but it struggled to compete with larger shipping lines like Harrison Line.

In the early 20th century, T and J Shipping Line was acquired by Harrison Line, marking the beginning of a new era for the company.

The acquisition brought significant resources and expertise to Harrison Line, allowing it to expand its operations and improve its services.

The Harrison Line was a shipping line founded by the brothers Thomas and James Harrison in Liverpool, England in 1853.

It started with the import of French brandy from Charente, which was a significant cargo service.

The company ran both cargo and passenger services, and its operations spanned over a century.

Here are some of the notable ships that were part of the Harrison Line:

The company ceased operations in 2000, bringing an end to its long history in the shipping industry.