Gordon Boyce
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- January 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780986497391
- eISBN:
- 9781786944450
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Liverpool University Press
- DOI:
- 10.5949/liverpool/9780986497391.001.0001
- Subject:
- History, Maritime History
This book is an in-depth case study of the Furness Withy and Co Shipping Group, which operated both tramp and liner services and was one of the five major British shipping groups of the early ...
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This book is an in-depth case study of the Furness Withy and Co Shipping Group, which operated both tramp and liner services and was one of the five major British shipping groups of the early twentieth century. It demonstrates how British shipowners of this period generated success by exploring Christopher Furness’ career in relation to the social, political, and cultural currents during a time of tremendous shipping growth in Britain and the establishment of some of the largest shipping firms in the world. It approaches the study from three angles. The first analyses how the Furness Group expanded its shipping activities and became involved with the industrial sector. The second illustrates the organisational and financial structure of the enterprise. Finally, the Group’s leadership and entrepreneurship is scrutinised and placed within the wider context of twentieth century British business. The case study begins in 1870, with an introduction explaining how Christopher Furness came to join the family company, Thomas Furness and Co. in order develop services, expand, and instigate the changes and mergers that brought the Furness Group into existence. There are thirteen chronologically presented chapters, a bibliography, and seven appendices of data including an ownership timeline, tonnage statistics, acquisitions, a list of maritime associates, and a timeline of Christopher Furness’ life. The book concludes in 1919 with the de-merging of the Furness Group’s shipping and industrial holdings, the resignation of the Furness family from the company’s board, the sale of their shares, and the move into managing the firm’s industrial interests.Less
This book is an in-depth case study of the Furness Withy and Co Shipping Group, which operated both tramp and liner services and was one of the five major British shipping groups of the early twentieth century. It demonstrates how British shipowners of this period generated success by exploring Christopher Furness’ career in relation to the social, political, and cultural currents during a time of tremendous shipping growth in Britain and the establishment of some of the largest shipping firms in the world. It approaches the study from three angles. The first analyses how the Furness Group expanded its shipping activities and became involved with the industrial sector. The second illustrates the organisational and financial structure of the enterprise. Finally, the Group’s leadership and entrepreneurship is scrutinised and placed within the wider context of twentieth century British business. The case study begins in 1870, with an introduction explaining how Christopher Furness came to join the family company, Thomas Furness and Co. in order develop services, expand, and instigate the changes and mergers that brought the Furness Group into existence. There are thirteen chronologically presented chapters, a bibliography, and seven appendices of data including an ownership timeline, tonnage statistics, acquisitions, a list of maritime associates, and a timeline of Christopher Furness’ life. The book concludes in 1919 with the de-merging of the Furness Group’s shipping and industrial holdings, the resignation of the Furness family from the company’s board, the sale of their shares, and the move into managing the firm’s industrial interests.
Ralph Davis
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- January 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780986497384
- eISBN:
- 9781786944467
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Liverpool University Press
- DOI:
- 10.5949/liverpool/9780986497384.003.0009
- Subject:
- History, Maritime History
This chapter explores the demand for trade in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries through analysis of statistics that reflected the value of commodities. It examines the demand for tonnage; ...
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This chapter explores the demand for trade in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries through analysis of statistics that reflected the value of commodities. It examines the demand for tonnage; international competition for outward cargo; commodities and their fluctuating values; the seasonality of crops; the increase in merchant wealth in the eighteenth century; the consequences of fluctuating demand; the coastal trade; the function of tramps and liners; and shipping costs and monopolies. Resultingly, British shipping declined considerably in the early eighteenth century, though this was also exacerbated in large part due to the declaration of peace after the Dutch Wars. It concludes with a summary of statistical sources used in this chapter and the subsequent five.Less
This chapter explores the demand for trade in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries through analysis of statistics that reflected the value of commodities. It examines the demand for tonnage; international competition for outward cargo; commodities and their fluctuating values; the seasonality of crops; the increase in merchant wealth in the eighteenth century; the consequences of fluctuating demand; the coastal trade; the function of tramps and liners; and shipping costs and monopolies. Resultingly, British shipping declined considerably in the early eighteenth century, though this was also exacerbated in large part due to the declaration of peace after the Dutch Wars. It concludes with a summary of statistical sources used in this chapter and the subsequent five.
