The Aberdeen Line: George Thompson Jnr's Incomparable Shipping Enterprise

Founded in 1825 by the 21-year-old George Thompson Jnr, the Aberdeen Line developed over 100 years into one of the best-respected shipping lines in Britain. Initially engaged in the UK coastal, Baltic, North American, South American, China and Antipodean trade routes, before settling to become the longest-serving line on the Australian trade via the Cape, the name of Thompson’s Aberdeen was synonymous with the highest professional standards, with such jewels as the clipper Thermopylae and their first steamer, SS Aberdeen. The Aberdeen name navigated commercial takeovers by the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company, Shaw Savill and Albion, Lord Kylsant’s Royal Mail Group and Furness Withy, before becoming all but forgotten when it finally furled its sails in 1957. Here Peter King seeks to bring this once prominent shipping line’s history to light once more for the enjoyment of shipping enthusiasts and maritime historians everywhere.

Captain Peter H. King has 59 years' experience in the merchant shipping industry. Beginning as a BP cadet and seeing officer service in the New Zealand Shipping Co., he moved to a marine support role that led to him being based in Aberdeen, where he became fascinated by the Aberdeen Line. Since then, he has held a post at Trinity House and is now the principal of a marine surveying practice. He is liveryman of the Honorable Company of Master Mariners and a Fellow of the Nautical Institute.