Mailships of the Union-Castle Line. C.J. Harris, B.D. Ingpen, Peter Bilas

Fernwood Press, 1994. Hard Cover. Book Condition: VG. Dust Jacket Condition: G+, one closed tear and associated wrinkling. Photos. Art, Map, Documents Etc (illustrator). 1st. 30.5cm By 28cm. For more than a century from 1857 ships of the Union and Castle lines provided the vital communications link between Great Britain and South Africa. Contracts with the governments of both countries for the important carriage of mails created competition between the two and this was an major factor in the formation of Union-Castle Line as one company, from the competitors, in 1900. Union-Castle became iconic in the carriage of mail, passengers and cargo and famous for building many beautifully proportioned ships, including a number in the liner age dominated by multi-funnel ships, The line also operated cargo vessels alongside its liner services. Like so many famous shipping lines, Union-Castle fell victim to the rise of jet travel for passengers and containers for cargo and in 1977 it ceased trading. While most of its ships sailed via the west coast of Africa and serviced major South African ports, others transited the Mediterranean, Red Sea and the East Coat of the African continent. This fine book covers the introduction of the two lines to service, their fierce competition for mail contracts, the eventual merger, the two World Wars and dealing with the changing shipping technologies and other challenges of the years leading to the line's closure. A thorough and in-depth study of one of the great shipping lines. 180 pages including four appendices, bibliography, acknowledgements, index and subscribers list. Illustrated throughout with b/w and colour photos, colour art including commissioned paintings by Peter Bilas, many document reproductions, colour page at back showing company badges of rank, cut-away accommodation diagram of Pendennis Castle, flags and funnels, colour map showing line routes, decorated e/papers. Purple hard covers with gilt front decoration and titles VG.  This large and heavy book (1.4kgs) would require additional postage.