Shaw Savill Line's Story from Past to Present

The Shaw Savill Line has a rich history that spans over a century. Founded in 1888 by James Shaw and John Williamson Savill, the company started as a shipping line that connected New Zealand to the UK.

The first ship of the Shaw Savill Line was the SS Rangitiki, launched in 1928. This ship was a significant milestone for the company, marking a new era in trans-Tasman shipping.

The Shaw Savill Line was known for its innovative approach to shipping, introducing the concept of a "hotel ship" to provide passengers with a more comfortable and enjoyable journey.

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The Shaw Savill Line was a shipping line that operated from the 1880s to the 1990s. One of their most notable ships was the Northern Star, which was part of the Shaw Savill Line.

The Northern Star made several trips, including one that started in Southampton on January 28, 1966, and ended in Southampton on April 11, 1966. This trip took the ship to various ports in Africa and Asia.

The Shaw Savill Line also operated the Southern Cross, which made trips starting from March 9, 1966, and ending on May 24, 1966. This trip took the ship to ports in South America and the Pacific.

Some of the most common ports visited by the Shaw Savill Line ships include Southampton, Las Palmas, Cape Town, Durban, Fremantle, Melbourne, Sydney, Wellington, Auckland, Rarotonga, Tahiti, Acapulco, Balboa, Curacao, Trinidad, and Barbados.

Here are some of the departure dates for the Shaw Savill Line ships:

Shaw Savill Line had a significant fleet in the mid-1960s, consisting of 36 ships.

The fleet included the Northern Star, launched in 1961, and four passenger cargo liners.

In 1970, the company purchased the Empress of England, a former Canadian Pacific liner, and renamed it Ocean Monarch.

During the First World War, two Shaw Savill ships were lost and several others were damaged by submarines.

The company's fleet continued to carry supplies from Australia and New Zealand to Britain, despite the challenges posed by enemy action.

Half of Shaw Savill Line's 26 ships were sunk during the Second World War.

The loss of ships was particularly devastating in 1942, when three ships were lost in a single day during an operation to supply Malta.

Dominion Monarch, a popular modern liner, was requisitioned as a troopship and played a crucial role in the war effort.

The ship carried 90,000 British and allied troops, as well as thousands of wounded service personnel and thousands of tons of foodstuffs.

In 1942, Dominion Monarch escaped from Singapore only days before the Japanese invasion, narrowly avoiding capture.

In January 1946, Dominion Monarch carried members of the Maori Battalion home to Wellington, marking a poignant end to the war.

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The Southern Cross and Northern Star were two notable ships in the Shaw Savill Line fleet. They were designed with innovative features, including a unique funnel and engines aft arrangement that created more midship passenger space.

These ships were among the first to offer all-tourist-class accommodations, a significant departure from the traditional cargo-passenger liners of the time.

The Southern Cross was built in 1955 by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, with a gross tonnage of 20,204 and a length of 604 feet. It had a draft of 25 feet and a top speed of 20 knots.

The Southern Cross and Northern Star had similar accommodation layouts, with a large open Sports deck and a Sun deck featuring an outdoor pool. They also had a Lounge Deck with a forward lounge, writing room, library, smoking room, two-deck cinema lounge, and a tavern.

The ships' interior design was notable for its use of Formica and linoleum, which was less attractive than the Southern Cross's more luxurious finishes. They suffered from mechanical troubles, but still managed to complete four voyages per year.

Here are the key specifications for the Southern Cross:

The Southern Cross was eventually laid up in 1971 and sold several times before being scrapped in 2003.

Ionic was a revolutionary ship design that emerged in 1902. It was characterized by its sleek and streamlined hull, which reduced drag and increased speed.

The Ionic design was a major departure from traditional shipbuilding methods, which often prioritized stability over speed. This new approach allowed ships to travel faster and more efficiently.

One notable feature of the Ionic design was its use of a single propeller, which reduced weight and increased maneuverability. This innovation made Ionic ships well-suited for navigating narrow waters and tight spaces.

The Ionic design was a significant improvement over its predecessors, with some ships reaching speeds of up to 25 knots. This was a remarkable achievement, especially considering the limited technology of the time.

The Ionic design influenced the development of future shipbuilding techniques, paving the way for even faster and more efficient vessels.

The Albion line played a significant role in the history of Shaw, Savill & Albion Line. It was formed in 1883 after the company, Shaw, Savill & Albion Line, agreed to join the Albion line as of January 1st of that year.

The Albion line's partnership with Shaw, Savill & Albion Line was a key moment in the company's growth. This partnership helped shape the company's fleet and operations.

One of the earliest ships to be part of the Albion line was the Coptic, launched in 1881 with a tonnage of 4,448. The Coptic was a significant vessel in the company's early years.

The Albion line's fleet included several notable ships, including the Ionic, launched in 1883 with a tonnage of 4,753. The Ionic was one of the company's earliest ships and played a crucial role in its operations.

Here's a list of some of the notable ships that were part of the Albion line:

These ships were just a few examples of the many vessels that made up the Albion line. Each ship played a vital role in the company's operations and helped shape its history.

Steamships and ocean liners have a rich history, and understanding their inner workings can be fascinating. The RMS Titanic, for example, was a massive ship that tragically sank on its maiden voyage in 1912.

Ocean voyages were a common way for people to travel across the globe, often taking weeks or even months to reach their destination. One of the most famous steamship lines was the White Star Line, which operated the Titanic.

Immigrant ship ephemera, such as vintage postcards and menus, provide a glimpse into the lives of those who traveled on these ships. These items often feature colorful illustrations and advertisements.

Ports of call were a crucial part of any ocean voyage, with ships stopping at various destinations to take on supplies and drop off passengers. Some ships, like the Titanic, had elaborate onboard events, including formal dinners and entertainment.

Ship provisions were carefully planned to ensure that passengers and crew had enough food and water for the duration of the voyage. Sanitation at sea was a significant concern, with ships having to implement strict rules to prevent the spread of disease.

Here are some interesting facts about steamships and ocean liners:

The Shaw Savill Line was a shipping company that played a significant role in the England-Australia route.

The company was established in 1859 and consolidated with the Albion Line in 1882. The partnership of Walter Savill and James William Temple agreed to join the Albion line as of 1 January 1883 to form Shaw, Savill & Albion Line.

One of the notable ships in the Shaw Savill Line fleet was the Arawa, which was first introduced in 1881 and had multiple iterations, including a 1907 version that measured 9,372 tons.

The company's fleet also included the Ceramic, which was first introduced in 1913 and had a capacity of 18,495 tons, and a 1948 version that measured 15,896 tons.

Here is a list of some of the notable ships in the Shaw Savill Line fleet:

In the 1950s, Shaw Savill underwent significant changes, marking a new beginning for the company. They ordered nine new vessels, including four new cargo-passenger liners.

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These four new vessels, Athenic, Ceramic, Corinthic, and Gothic, were around 15,000 tons each and replaced some of the ships lost during World War II.

The fleet flagship, Dominion Monarch, resumed her duties after a refit, carrying passengers between Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.

Gothic was refitted to become the Royal yacht for King George VI's tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1952, but the tour was cancelled due to the king's death.

However, the refit was almost complete, so Gothic was used for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation world tour in 1953-54 instead.

The Queen launched a new Shaw Savill liner, Southern Cross, in 1954, which sailed on its maiden voyage from Southampton in March 1955.

Following the launch of Southern Cross, Shaw Savill sold off several of its older passenger-carrying cargo ships.

At the time of the company's centenary in 1958, the Shaw Savill fleet included 26 ships, with an additional four on order as well as nine ships on charter.

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The Shaw, Savill & Albion Company has a rich history dating back to 1859 when the firm of Shaw and Savill was established. The company's early years were marked by significant milestones, including the consolidation with the Albion Line in 1882.

In 1881, Shaw, Savill & Albion Company entered the England-Australia route with the beautiful sister ships Arawa and Tainui. This marked a significant turning point for the company, as it became closely associated with the White Star Line in the same year.

The company's fleet expanded significantly over the years, with multiple ships bearing the name Arawa. The first Arawa was launched in 1884 and measured 5,026 tons. In 1907, a new Arawa was launched, measuring 9,372 tons.

Here's a list of some of the notable ships in the Shaw, Savill & Albion Company's fleet:

The company's fleet continued to grow and evolve over the years, with the acquisition of the Australian business of the White Star Line in 1933. This marked a significant expansion of the company's operations, and it continued to play a major role in the shipping industry for many years.

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The Shaw Savill Line's legacy was marked by innovative designs, with Southern Cross being the first major liner with the funnel and engines aft. This design created more room for passenger space midships.

The line's ships were known for their size, with Southern Cross carrying 1100 passengers and Northern Star carrying 1437.

Southern Cross was also notable for being the first passenger ship that carried no cargo and the first all-tourist class ship.

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