THE CAIRN LINE OF STEAMSHIPS CO. LTD. 1876 – 2005

July 15th, 2005 by JCB
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THE CAIRN LINE OF STEAMSHIPS CO. LTD. 1876 – 2005

Gilbert T. Wallace

This book provides a finely detailed history and account of the Cairn Line and represents a remarkable feat for the author who has self published the work. Although Gilbert Wallace only sailed with the Cairn Line for four years in the 1950’s prior to taking up employment ashore, upon retirement he decided to find out what had happened to his old company and the result is a fascinating and detailed record of a line from the golden era of British Shipping which has now, along with nearly all the others, sadly disappeared. Anyone who has attempted any research will appreciate the amount of time and care for presentation that has resulted in this book. In addition to listing all the vessels associated with the Line the book is lavishly illustrated with photographs, line drawings and paintings. The first ship of the Cairn Line of Steamships to carry the Cairn name was the Cairngowan in 1883 and although the company was purchased by the Furness Withy Group in 1967 the name survived and last three ships bearing the Cairn name (Cairnash, Cairnelm and Cairnoak) were sold in the centenary year of 1983. The ship listings in this book are expanded by a comprehensive history which provides detailed descriptions of the ships, routes and cargoes as well as a wealth of interesting supplementary information regarding this Company which was finally placed into Members Voluntary Liquidation on 15^th March 2005. A4 soft cover format, 96 pages with 82 b/w photographs, 11 colour photographs and images. ISBN: 0-9550078-0-1.

Price: £15.00 (Postage: £2.00 UK, £3.00 EU, £3.30 Worldwide).

Payment in sterling by UK cheque, postal order or bank draft to:

Gilbert T. Wallace,

3 Milton Gardens,

South Edinburgh.

Scotland. EH15 3PG

Tel/Fax: 0131 669 5878