Union Castle Staff Register Web Site

[Chris Isaac]

Many of you will be aware of this site
Union-Castle Line - A Staff Register.

I have now taken over the management of this site and am now rebuilding it using modern web technology and broadening its scope to include all companies that fell under the B&C umbrella:
Union Castle
Clan Line
Scottish Tankers
Scottish Shire Line
King Line
Bullard King (Natal Line)
Bowaters
South American Saint Line
Castle Line
Union Line
Hector Whaling
Houston Line

If any of you wish to have your information included in the site them please send me a personal message and let me have your email address.
I will send you a document to complete and return.
I know of no other shipping company that has recorded this level of history and now it is expanding.
It will be of great value to our children, grandchildren etc when they ask what we did at sea.
Regards to all
Chris Isaac

[robpage]

It was a good site Chris , so4p look forward to seeing the new improved version

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Chris
Yes i have my details on there as well!
Hope that it will just grow and grow mate!
Thanks
Doc!

John Strange!! I dont see your Entry on this site ,come on ex UCL Man

I am sure there are many many more here too that havent had their details listed! Come on all you ex UCL Men lets have you on as well!

PS Hearty Congratulations on your new Appointment !

Hope this addition is OK Chris,if not please advise and i will Edit and remove it@
Thanks mate!

THE FUTURE OF THE WEB SITE "A Staff Register" Union Castle Line

I FIRST PUBLISHED THIS WEB SITE A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO, MANY CORRESPONDENTS HAVE TOLD ME THAT IT IS UNIQUE, AND I BELIEVE IT IS SO. IT HAS OVER THE YEARS GIVEN ME GREAT PLEASURE, I HAVE MET (METAPHORICALLY SPEAKING) MANY 'OLD SALTS', ENABLING THE ADDITION OF HUNDREDS OF NAMES TO THE 'REGISTER'.
BUT IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE, IT IS TIME FOR A NEW MAN ON THE BRIDGE, TO BRING IN NEW IDEAS, TO REVITALISE THE SITE. CHRIS ISAAC'S, WHO FOR SOME TIME HAS LOOKED AFTER THE GOOGLE GROUP HAS VERY KINDLY AGREED TO RELIEVE ME. THUS FOR ALL EDITORIAL AND SITE MANAGEMENT, IN SEPTEMBER, IT WILL BE OVER TO CHRIS.

[Lou Barron]

Good day to you Chris I served on the old Gloucester Castle as you will know doubt know all about it but i think that i would be the only one still alive off that ship. You can email me HERE

[happy daze john in oz]

I did add some info to the earlier edition of the site, but for some time it has not been available but am more than willing to contribute again,

[Chris Isaac]

I would love to have your information. Please send me a private message on this site giving me your email address. I will then send you a document for you to enter your details.
The old site is still up and running but will be replaced by mine which covers all of B&C not just Union Castle.
Owen Keen will then be concentrating his efforts on the History of Union Line and Castle Line before they merged in 1900.

Charles
Although I do have an outline story of Gloucester Castle I would love to include your own personal recollections.
They are a valuable piece of history and deserve to be recorded for future generations.

Kind regards
Chris

[comchave]

Will all that Owen Keen had on his website be transferred to yours?

[Captain Kong]

Union Castle
Clan Line
Scottish Tankers
Scottish Shire Line
King Line
Bullard King (Natal Line)
Bowaters
South American Saint Line
Castle Line
Union Line
Hector Whaling
Houston Line

I was on the Good Hope Castle in 1959, then we painted her into `Springbok Line of Cape Town` colours. and South African Flag and Registerd in Cape Town
We took her to Hong Kong Breakers in June 1959 after two voyages down the East Coast of Africa.
Did Springbok Line belong to B&C? We were offered jobs in Saf Marine after
Cheers
Brian

[vic mcclymont]

Yes Springbok was part of B&C.
The company was originally registered in 1950 by Sir Vernon Thomson, but left dormant.
In the late 50's B&C were coming under pressure for more of the conference sailings despite B&C owning 50% of Safmarine.
Sir Nicholas Cayzer in order to fend of Safmarine incorporated Springbok Line, in order to dispel South African pressure, it failed. Springbok Line was then transferred to South African registry (which was always in the plan), this didn't work either and Safmarine threatened B&C with South African government intervention.
Springbok was sold along with its conference rights to Safmarine and all the threats disappeared overnight.
Vic

[Captain Kong]

Thank you Vic for the information.
A few cargo ships of UC were transferred to Springbok, I think the Drakensburg Castle was also one of them.
Cheers
Brian.