
P Henderson & Company was a prominent business during World War I, and its efforts were crucial to the war effort.
The company's business operations were heavily focused on manufacturing and supplying goods to the British military.
P Henderson & Company's wartime efforts were largely centered around producing munitions and other war-related materials.
In 1916, the company's factory in Glasgow was converted to produce munitions, and it quickly became one of the largest munitions factories in Scotland.
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Ships and Routes
P Henderson & Company had a long history of shipping routes that spanned across the globe. They operated from Glasgow, with services to the Mediterranean ports, Livorno, and Bombay, Australia, from 1829 to 1849.
Their routes expanded to include New Zealand, Burma, and Liverpool/Glasgow from 1848 to 1883, and they also had a service from Glasgow/Birkenhead to Burma, Gibraltar, and other ports. In the 1940s, they added a route from Liverpool/Birkenhead to West Africa.
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Here are some of their notable routes:
- 1829 - 1848: Glasgow - Mediterranean ports - Livorno
- 1845 - 1849: Glasgow - Bombay - Australia
- 1848 - 1883: Glasgow - New Zealand - (Burma) - Liverpool / Glasgow
- 1860 - 1967: Glasgow / Liverpool / Birkenhead - Burma. Glasgow / Birkenhead - Gibraltar - (Palma) - Marseilles - Port Said - Port Sudan (1909) - Aden - (Colombo) - Rangoon.
- 1947 - 1970: Liverpool / Birkenhead - West Africa
The Fleets
P. Henderson & Co. started its maritime journey in 1829, operating the marble trade from Italy and exporting coal. The company's first service was from Glasgow to Bombay and Australia, which began in 1845.
They entered the emigrant trade to New Zealand in 1848, making calls at Burma for cargo on the return voyage. Initially, this was done with chartered ships.
The company formed a subsidiary, Albion Shipping Co., in 1864, which later merged with Shaw, Savill Line in 1882 to form Shaw, Savill & Albion Line.
In 1874, the British & Burmese Steam Navigation Co. was formed to operate regular liner sailings to Burma.
Here's a brief overview of the company's fleet development:
Routes
Ships and Routes have a long and complex history, with various routes being established over the years. The routes taken by ships have played a significant role in shaping the world we live in today.
One of the earliest routes was from Glasgow to Mediterranean ports, specifically Livorno, which was operational from 1829 to 1848. This route was a major trade route for goods and commodities.
The Glasgow-Livorno route was not the only one established during this time period. Another notable route was from Glasgow to Bombay, which was then connected to Australia. This route was operational from 1845 to 1849.
The Glasgow-Bombay-Australia route was an important one, as it connected Asia and Australia. However, it was not the only route that connected these two continents.
In 1860, a new route was established from Glasgow and Liverpool to Burma. This route was significant, as it connected the UK to Southeast Asia. The route continued on to other ports, including Gibraltar, Marseilles, and Port Said.
Here are some of the key routes established during this time period:
- Glasgow - Mediterranean ports - Livorno (1829-1848)
- Glasgow - Bombay - Australia (1845-1849)
- Glasgow - New Zealand - (Burma) - Liverpool / Glasgow (1848-1883)
- Glasgow / Liverpool / Birkenhead - Burma (1860-1967)
- London - Hull - Leith - Glasgow or London - Avonmouth - Liverpool - Glasgow (reverse route)
- Liverpool / Birkenhead - West Africa (1947-1970)
Losses and Risks
P Henderson & Company experienced significant losses during both World War I and World War II. The company's ships were involved in various incidents, including sinkings, wrecks, and fires.
In 1905, the cargo ship Ava ran aground and was wrecked off the coast of Burma. The new Ava built the following year also met a tragic end, disappearing in January 1917 with the loss of all 92 persons aboard.
The company suffered further losses in 1917 when the passenger and cargo ship Pegu was torpedoed by a U-boat off the south coast of Ireland. Fortunately, all but one of those aboard survived.
P Henderson & Company also lost the passenger and cargo ship Tenasserim to a fire in Rangoon in 1918.
Here's a summary of some of the notable losses suffered by P Henderson & Company:
- SS Ava (1905): ran aground and wrecked off the coast of Burma
- SS Ava (new) (1916): disappeared in January 1917 with the loss of all 92 persons aboard
- SS Pegu (1917): torpedoed by a U-boat off the south coast of Ireland, with one fatality
- SS Tenasserim (1918): destroyed by fire in Rangoon
Business Operations
P Henderson & Company's business operations were highly efficient, with a strong focus on cost control and supply chain management. They maintained a large warehouse in the city, which allowed them to store and distribute goods quickly and effectively.
The company's use of a warehouse in the city also enabled them to respond rapidly to changes in demand, which was especially important given the fluctuating nature of the coal trade. This flexibility was a key factor in their success.
P Henderson & Company's operations were also characterized by a strong emphasis on employee welfare, with the company providing good working conditions and fair wages to its employees.
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Wartime Managed Ships

During World War II, P Henderson managed a number of ships under the MOWT (Ministry of War Transport) program. This allowed them to play a crucial role in supporting the war effort.
One of the ships managed by Henderson was the Empire Athelstan, built in 1946 with a Gross Register Tonnage (GRT) of 7,795. It was later sold to the Ben Line and renamed Benalbanach.
Henderson also managed the Ocean Viceroy, built in 1942 with a GRT of 7,174. This ship was later sold to the Clan Line and renamed Clan Kenneth.
Here's a list of some of the ships managed by Henderson during the war:
These ships were just a few examples of the many vessels managed by Henderson during the war. Their efforts played a significant role in supporting the war effort and helping to bring about the Allied victory.
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Store Description
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A good store description should be easy to read and understand, making it accessible to a wide range of customers. This can be achieved by using simple language and avoiding technical jargon.
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Terms of Sale
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A replacement copy or refund can be arranged if you're not happy with your purchase.
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Elder Dempster Lines
Elder Dempster Lines was a key shipping company that operated in the early 20th century.
P Henderson & Company, a British shipping and trading company, had a significant stake in Elder Dempster Lines, which was a major player in the West African trade.
Elder Dempster Lines' fleet of ships was a vital part of its operations, with over 30 vessels sailing between Europe and West Africa by the 1930s.
The company's focus on West Africa was driven by the region's rich natural resources, including palm oil, rubber, and minerals.
Elder Dempster Lines' ships played a crucial role in the transportation of goods and people between Europe and West Africa, with many of its vessels serving as passenger liners as well as cargo ships.
The company's network of shipping routes and its fleet of ships made it a major player in the West African trade, with Elder Dempster Lines' ships calling at ports in the UK, West Africa, and other parts of Europe.
Elder Dempster Lines' operations were closely tied to those of P Henderson & Company, with the two companies sharing resources and expertise to achieve their goals.
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