WW2 British Charente Steamship Co Ltd Harrison Line Flag

For sale is Large WW2 1930s to early 1940s British Merchant Navy, Charente Steamship Co. Ltd Harrison Line Double Sided Flag. This Double Sided flag is in good condition and measures 98cm height x 129cm length. 

History of the Charente Steamship Co. Ltd Harrison Line: 

House flag of the Charente Steamship Co. Ltd, Liverpool (Thos. & Jas. Harrison). A white rectangular flag with a red Maltese cross placed across it. It has a cotton hoist and is machine sewn. A rope and toggle is attached.

The company founder Thomas Harrison began work as an employee of a Liverpool company of shipping agents, in 1839 becoming a full partner in the firm, which became known as George Brown and Harrison. Thomas's brother James joined the partnership in 1849. The company's main trade was the import of brandy and wines from the Charente area around Cognac. In 1853 after the death of George Brown the Harrisons took over the business then called Thos. & Jas. Harrison. From 1857 they began to name their vessels after trades and professions. 

The company decided to ship spirits directly to London in 1861, this involved them in a price war with the GSNC who reacted to the competition by undercutting Harrison's rates and sending ships to northern ports. This competition was removed by mutual arrangement in 1863. In the same year, Harrison's started scheduled services to India. During the American Civil War the company started a route to New Orleans carrying mostly cement on the outward run and returning with cotton. The Charente Steamship Company was founded in 1871 still with the capital in family hands and with Thos. & Jas. Harrison as managers. 

John T. Rennie, Son & Co.'s Aberdeen Direct Line was purchased in 1911. Their fleet continued to sail to South Africa as the Harrison-Rennie Line, retaining vessel names beginning 'In' - a tradition retained for Harrison's passenger vessels. The early 20th century saw the loss of 27 ships during the World War I and three very bad trading years during 1930-33.

Heavy shipping losses during World War I were more or less balanced by new additions to the fleet, particularly the 12 ships bought from the Rankin-Gilmour fleet in 1917; by 1920 Harrisons owned a record 58 ships. However, the inter-war period proved a difficult time. The Conference lines had to content with periodic price cutting from tramp steamers. Trade was depressed and the Harrison Line was hard hit in the depression years 1929-32. In 1931-31, 15 ships were laid up and in 1932 a further 10 ships were sold at break-up prices. Despite this, the Company remained profitable. With the recovery in international trade from 1933, Harrisons began to rebuild its fleet, both from new build and purchases from other lines, including four ships from Furness Withy and seven from the Leyland Line. Nevertheless, by the outbreak of WWII the fleet still stood at no more than 46 ships. Of these, 30 ships were subsequently lost during the War.

In the 1970's Harrison's diversified into bulk cargos and container ships. The company was acquired by P&O Nedlloyd in 2000.

This will be sent via special delivery and dispatched within two working days. The final photograph/ screen shot shows a later made flag which is from ‘Royal Museum Greenwich’ on there online archive collection.