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British shipping companies (S)

South American Saint Line
South Georgia Co. Ltd.
Southern Railway
Stag Line
Steel and Bennie Ltd.
Stephenson Clarke
Stevinson-Hardy
John Stewart & Co. Shipping
Stirling Shipping Co. Ltd.
W.H. Stott, Limited
Straits Steamship Co., Ltd.
Frank C. Strick & Co.
Summersfield Steamship Company Limited

See also:

South American Saint Line

by Jarig Bakker, based on the website of the National Maritime Museum.

UK and Continent - South America; Houseflag: white, with red St. Andrew's cross; white field edged red in center, containing rising sun over Tudor rose.
Jarig Bakker, 17 October 2003

From the website of the National Maritime Museum, the house flag of Saint Line Ltd (America), London. A white rectangular flag with a red saltire. There is a white shield in the centre with a red and yellow sun motif. The flag is made of a wool and synthetic fibre bunting. It has a cotton hoist and is machine sewn."
Jarig Bakker, 27 August 2004

South American Saint Line. Some sources show the saltire as reaching the edge of the flag. I have come across a description of the emblem stating that the rising sun or flame effect is in fact the upper half of a gold star with 5 point showing surmounting the upper half of an orange estoile or star of wavy points with 6 showing in the appropriate spaces. The lower half of the design, also in gold, is referred to as "a lower wheel shape" consisting of the outline only. A Tudor Rose would certainly explain the background seeing that the company was Welsh based. The 1961 US Navy publication shows orange in place of red on the flag but there appears no reason for this. The company seems to have been absorbed by Houlder Bros around 1970.
Neale Rosanoski, 24 May 2004

South Georgia Co. Ltd.

by Jarig Bakker, based on the website of the National Maritime Museum.

From the website of the National Maritime Museum, the house flag of South Georgia Co. Ltd. A white flag with a red diamond in the centre on which is a white- bordered blue cross. The flag is made of a wool and synthetic fibre bunting. It has a cotton hoist and is machine sewn."

Loughran (1979) writes: "Chr. Salvesen & co., Ltd., had Norwegian origins, and the device of the center of the flag is derived from the national flag of Norway. It owned the South Georgia Company."
Jarig Bakker, 29 August 2004

South Georgia Co. Ltd. was formed in 1916 whereas the parent company dates from1846 when the Norwegian brothers Christian and Theodore Salvesen set up business in Edinburgh. In shipping they were involved in whaling and post WW2 these interests declined until by 1990 they withdrew from shipping and are today a logistics company. The flag is normally shown under the Salvesen name and the earliest source I have come across is Reed 1901 which shows the flag as having a blue border but this may be an error with Lloyds 1904 on showing the version as shown here.
Neale Rosanoski, 13 February 2005

Southern Railway

by Ivan Sache

From http://www.plimsoll.org/OnTheLine/ShippingLines/southernrailwaycompany/default.asp#2:

The London & South Western Railway, active since 1840, starts shipping in 1843 as the 'New South Western Steam Navigation Company'. Other railway firms start cross-Channel and coastal shipping lines; various mergers occur. Finally, in 1923, "the London & South Western, London Brighton & South Coast and South Eastern & Chatham Railway Companies merge to form the Southern Railway. The new company operates trains and ships across the south east of England". When after WWII the British Transport Commission assumes control of the railways, the shipping activities follow (1948). The situation does not change on the formation of British Rail, however its shipping activities come to an end when Stena and Sealink UK acquire them (1979).
The Southern Railway house flag was blue with a red cross throughout, fimbriated white, and white letters 'S' (upper hoist) and 'R' (lower fly).
Jan Mertens, 15 April 2005

Stag Line

by Jarig Bakker, based on the website of the National Maritime Museum.

From the website of the National Maritime Museum, the house flag of Stag Line Ltd, North Shields. A red rectangular flag with the crest of a white stag. The flag is made of a wool and synthetic fibre bunting. It has a cotton hoist and is machine sewn with the motif printed. A rope and toggle is attached. The design dates from 1846 when the company purchased its first vessel, a wooden scow named 'Stag'.

The company was named after its first vessel 'Stag', purchased in 1846 by Captain Joseph Robinson. He shortly afterwards formed a management company, Joseph Robinson & Co. The company ran small wooden barques, buying their first steam tramp in 1875 and going over entirely to steam by 1879. From 'Camelia' of 1858 onwards, the company tended to favour flower names for its vessels.

A limited company was formed in 1895 but the firm remained in Robinson's hands and was based in North Shields. After some losses during both world wars the company continued to trade worldwide, particularly to Canada. It was also involved in cable laying in New Zealand and the West Indies. The company was taken over by Hunting Gibson Ltd in 1981. The remaining coasters were sold by 1983 and the joint management compa