^{This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website}

British shipping companies (H)

See also:

H. Hogarth & Sons Ltd.

image by Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021

H. Hogarth & Sons Ltd. Ships wore the Scottish saltire at the foremast from 1918 to differentiate their vessels from those of Lloyd Austrico due to both having "Baron" as the first name of their vessels. This continued after the need was gone and then following their management amalgamation into Scottish Ship Management Ltd. in 1968 the ships continued to use the saltire as a stem jack but the houseflag of the management company.
Neale Rosanoski, 15 June 2004

The Hogarth family website (click 'The 'Hungry Hogarths' at left - and that is how the house flag was "read") shows the flag crossed with the Scottish saltire. As to Scottish Ship Mgt, the site at www.scottishshipmanagement.org reports:

"Scottish Ship Management Limited was formed in 1968 as a result of the merger of the shipping staff of H. Hogarth & Sons and Lyle Shipping Co. Unfortunately, in 1986, as part of the demise of the British Merchant Navy, the company ceased to exist.

The purpose of the site is to provide a bit of background to the history of SSM and to serve as an archive of material. (..)

H. Hogarth & Sons had been shipowners since 1862 whilst Lyle could trace their origin back to 1798. In 1980 Lyle aquired the 50% of Scottish Ship Management owned by H. Hogarth & Sons, making SSM a wholly owned subsidiary of Lyle Shipping. SSM continued to manage the Hogarth fleet as well as that of its parent, Lyle. In its heyday, Scottish Ship Management maintained offices in the U.K., Australia and U.S.A. and employed over 400 people."

They also show a nice flagoid - blue with a white triangle against the hoist side bearing red letters 'SSM'. Perhaps it was a real flag?
Jan Mertens, 10 August 2005

The same flag is shown in Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) (#1327, p. 100), for H. Hogarth & Sons (Baron Line)
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#65
Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021

Arthur Holland & Co.

image by Ivan Sache, 28 April 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Arthur Holland & Co. (#983, p. 83), a London-based company, as horizontally divided blue-white blue with the black letters "AH&C°" in the center.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/48/
Ivan Sache, 28 April 2021

J. Hollingsworth

image by Ivan Sache, 4 May 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of J. hollingsworth (#1763, p. 120), a Hull-based shipping company, as white, charged in the center with a white square diamond bordered in blue and inscribing a red "H".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#85
Ivan Sache, 4 May 2021

R.H. Holman

image by Ivan Sache, 19 April 2008

Lloyds Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of "R.H. Holman" (#283, p. 50), a company based in London, as white with a small red triangle on each corner and a red "H" in the middle.
Ivan Sache, 19 April 2008

John Holt & Co. (Liverpool), Ltd.

image by Ivan Sache, 3 May 2021

Based in modern Liverpool City offices (the UK), John Holt & Co (Liverpool) Ltd carries on the business first started by John Holt in 1897.
The companies principal operations are in the UK and Nigeria and has trading partnerships worldwide; including Russia, Japan, Middle East and Africa.
John Holt & Co (Liverpool) Ltd is a major international trading, procurement and finance operation with a consolidated turnover exceeding US$100m. John Holt & Co (Liverpool) Ltd is the majority shareholder (52%) in John Holt Plc, Nigeria.

The story began in 1862 when John Holt, just under 21 years old, with £27 in his pocket, sailed from Liverpool to take up appointment as a shop assistant in a grocery store in Fernando Po (now Equitorial Guinea). Five years later, he bought out his employer and subsequently built up a produce trade with the Delta Ports. Palm Oil, Palm Kernels, Rubber and Cocoa were exported to England. Imports included textiles from Lancashire and bicycles from Birmingham. In 1897, John Holt established his first venture in Lagos.
Up to the Second World War, much of John Holt's business was in distribution and export of produce. A fleet of ships operated a fortnightly service from Liverpool to West Africa and the Company also had its own fleet of river craft. Apart from produce and merchandise, these river craft also carried cash. Where banks did not exist, John Holt had strong rooms. Even after banks were established, many Nigerians preferred to deposit their cash with John Holt.
John Holt & Co. (Liverpool) Ltd. was incorporated in 1897. In 1961 the company was incorporated in Nigeria as John Holt Ltd.. It became a public company and was quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in May, 1974.

http://www.jhplc.com/
Corporate website

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of John Holt & Co. (Liverpool), Ltd. (#1643, p. 115) as blue, charged in the center with a white star inscribing the red letters "JH".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#80

The house flag recalls the arms of John Holt, "Argent a sailing ship proper in chief azure a star argent surrounded by two of the same".
http://www.jhplc.com/corporate/history/history-08.php
Corporate website

The logo of John Holt consists of a brass manilla, previously used in some parts of Nigeria as currency and a five-point star, which signifies the Group's enduring connection with Liverpool (UK).
http://www.jhplc.com/corporate/history/history.php
Corporate website
Ivan Sache, 3 May 2021

W. Holzapfel

image by Ivan Sache, 22 April 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of
W. Holzapfel (#223, p. 47), a Newcastle-based company, as white with a red screw.

https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#12
Ivan Sache, 22 April 2021

A.F. Hood & Co.

image by Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of A.F. Hood & Co. (#1389, p. 103), as horizontally divided red-white with a counter-colored border.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#68
Ivan Sache, 30 April 2021

A. Hope & Co.

image by Ivan Sache, 26 April 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of
A. Hope & Co. (#637, p. 67), a Glasgow-based company, as blue with a white saltire and a white disc on the center.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/32/
Ivan Sache, 26 April 2021

Hopemount Shipping Co.

image by Jarig Bakker, 28 December 2004

Hopemount Shipping Co., Newcastle-on-Tyne - five horizontal stripes of black and yellow, proportioned 2:1:1:1:2
From Scott, R.M., The Caltex book of Flags and Funnels, Capetown, Caltex Africa Ltd. (1959).
Jarig Bakker, 28 December 2004

image by Jarig Bakker, 28 December 2004

However Brown (1951) [Wedge (1951)] shows for Hopemount Shipping Company Ltd. (Stott, Mann & Fleming Ltd.), Newcastle-upon-Tyne the same colors proportioned 1:2:1:2:1
Jarig Bakker, 28 December 2004

Hopemount Shipping Co. For such a simple design everyone seems to disagree on the flag. The company itself, formed 1918, was one of several, all of which had ships with prefix of "Hope" and apparently all used the same livery, operated by Arthur Stottt & Co. Ltd. who in 1939 became Stott, Mann & Fleming Ltd. Sources up to WW2 thus show in either of these names. Around 1950 the name changed to Stott, Mann & Co. Ltd. operating only through Hopemount Shipping Co. Ltd. with Hopemount passing to the ownership of Common Brothers in 1966, fading away a few years later.

As far as the black and yellow banded flags are concerned, the 1st from Scott is in line with the earlier editions of Stewart (1953), that from Brown (Wedge, 1951) is from that series, Talbot-Booth (1936)) shows the bands all being equal whilst the US Navy 1961 has the yellow bands only slightly wider than the black.
Neale Rosanoski, 3 March 2005

image by Ivan Sache

Prior to the sale [to Common Bros. in 1966] a new flag was adopted being shown by Stewart 1963 with a yellow flag and a blue circle bearing a white "H".
Neale Rosanoski, 3 March 2005

Hopkins, Jones & Co., Ltd.

image by Ivan Sache, 1 May 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Hopkins, Jones & Co., Ltd. (#1596, p. 113), a Cardiff-based shipping company, as red with the white letters "HJ".
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#78
Ivan Sache, 1 May 2021

Horsley Line, Ltd.

(G. Horsley & Son)

image by Ivan Sache, 23 April 2021

George Horsley was born on 22 June 1836, the eldest of three sons of Matthew Horsley. On leaving school he was apprenticed to E.S. Jobson and later became a partner in the company. The third partner was Ludwig August Stahle. George became an Alderman and was Mayor in 1875 and 1876. He was also Swedish Consul and a member of the Hartlepool's Shipowner Society along with William Maclean.

On the death of Ebenezer Jobson in April 1877 George took over the company and it became George Horsley & Co. His son, Harry, eventually became a partner in his father’s company and by 1889 it had become George Horsley & Son. George died suddenly in December 1895. Harry died on 17 February 1925.
By 1900 the company had become the Horsley Line Ltd., with Harry as managing director. The company ceased trading in 1915.

https://www.hhtandn.org/venues/1722/horsley-line-ltd
Hartlepool History Then & Now

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of the Horsley Line, Ltd. (G. Horsley & Son) (#368, p. 54) as blue with an off-centered white-red-yellow roundel.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#19
Ivan Sache, 23 April 2021

Samuel Hough, Ltd.

image by Ivan Sache, 27 March 2008

Lloyds Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of "Samuel Hough, Ltd." (#107, p. 42), a company based in Liverpool, as red with the white letters "SH" in the middle.
Ivan Sache, 27 March 2008

Houlder Line Ltd

image by Ivan Sache, 6 March 2004

E.S. Houlder started business as a ship and insurance broker in 1853 and soon began specializing in the Australian trade. When his brother joined him in 1856, the name Houlder Brothers and Company was adopted. They soon began owning ships and extended their regular service to Australia to New Zealand. The search for return cargoes led them to the Pacific Islands and by the end of the 1860s an interest in the carriage of contract cargoes resulted in voyages to India and South Africa.
In 1881 the Company turned its attention to the South American trade and was responsible for the first shipments of frozen meat from the River Plate. The partnership became a limited liability company in 1898. In 1911, Furness Withy (q.v.) acquired a large holding of the Company's shares.

Interests in the Australian and other trades were sold in 1912 and the Company concentrated its activities on the development and extension of its South American trade and in particular the River Plate meat trade. An associate company, Empire Transport Co Ltd, had been set up in 1902 and joint ventures with Furness Withy included: British & Argentine Steam Navigation Co Ltd, 1911 to 1933, British Empire Steam Navigation Co Ltd, 1914, and Furness Houlder Argentine Line Ltd, 1915. During the inter-war period oil tankers were added to the facilities for handling bulk cargoes.
A large holding in the Alexander Shipping Co Ltd was purchased in 1938 and a controlling interest was acquired in 1947. After the Second World War, the interest in the South American trade was maintained and the bulk shipping activities were further diversified by the addition of ore carriers and gas tankers. Houlder Brothers became a wholly owned subsidiary of Furness Withy.

https://collections.rmg.co.uk/archive/objects/492000.html
National Maritime Museum

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Houlder Bros. & Co., Ltd. (#757, p. 73), as red with a white cross patty.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/38/
Ivan Sache, 27 April 2021

Houlder Brothers & Co. Ltd. posted as insolvent on 19 May 2004 (The Times).
Ron Lahav, 20 May 2004

Houlder, Middleton & Co.

Mitre Line

image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 18 September 2008

Houlder, Middleton & Co., located in London
It is a blue flag with a golden mitre with two ribbons in its centre.
Source: Lloyds (1912); p.117, image no. 1698
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 18 September 2008

The company was also known as "Mitre Line", as "shown" on its house flag.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#82
Ivan Sache, 3 May 2021

Howden Bros.

image by Ivan Sache, 4 May 2021

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of Howden Bros. (#1743, p. 119) as red with a black disc in the center.
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#84
Ivan Sache, 4 May 2021

Hoveringham Gravels, Ltd.

image by Jarig Bakker

Hoveringham Gravels has a fleet of dredgers, engaged in the production of aggregates for the construction industry. The company takes its name from its base in Hoveringham near Nottingham. In 1953, at its quarry there, a large section of the tusk of a Mammoth was found. Some time later, further pieces of tusk and a tooth, were discovered. The association with the strength and solidity of this huge prehistoric beast seemed singularly apt for a firm in their line of business, and in 1958, they adopted the Mammoth as a trading symbol. The company now trades as part of the Hoveringham Group.
Source: Loughran (1979) "A Survey of Mercantile Houseflags & Funnels".
Jarig Bakker, 4 April 2005

Joseph Hoult & Co.

image by Ivan Sache, 21 March 2008

Lloyds Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of "Joseph Hoult & Co." (#52, p. 39), a company based in Liverpool, as red with a blue rectangle bordered white and charged with a white letter "H".
"Joseph Hoult, a prominent ship owner writes the London Times offering £400, ($2,000) apiece to the next four mercantile vessels or trawlers,
which sink German submarines". (The New York Times, 8 March 1915)
"Announcement of award of £510 by Sir Henry Kimber and Messie. Joseph Hoult & Co. to the transport Mona's Queen (Capt. W. Cain), in respect of the sinking of an enemy submarine; captain receives £300, first officer £50, and the crew with an extra £10 to the " sighters of the enemy." (Examiner Annual, Isle of Man, 1920)
Joseph Hoult rests in the graveyard of Thornton Hough, together with "local dignitaries".
http://www.scarecrowfestival.co.uk/history2.htm
Ivan Sache, 21 March 2008

Houston Line (London) Ltd.

R.P. Houston & Co.

image by James Dignan

Based on Sampson (1957)
James Dignan, 18 October 2003

The (British & Commonwealth Shipping Co., Ltd.) Clan Line flag is flown at foremast.
Houseflag: Union Jack over red St. George's Cross in White ground with H in Red on White in center. (in addition the Clan Line flag is flown at the fore.) The British & Commonwealth Shipping Co.'s burgee is flown superior to house-flag.
Jarig Bakker, 18 October 2003

Founded 1880 in Liverpool as RP Houston & Co. Transported frozen meats from Argentina to the UK and in 1885 began passenger service. In 1898 a subsidiary, British & South American Steam Navigation Company. The company was sold to Clan Line in 1918, its South American services resold to the Royal Mail in 1926, and renamed Houston Line in 1932. In 1956 the company, and others, merged to form British & Commonwealth Shipping Company. The company disappeared as an entity by 1970.
Phil Nelson, 19 October 2003

image by António Martins-Tuválkin

Houston Line (London) Ltd. Although the company is given as ceasing operations around 1970 the name continued to be used as a shipowner until the beginning of the 1980s so the flag may have continued to be flown until then. The panel of the Union Flag as shown is too small. A photo of an actual flag shows, unlike all sources, with only one exception, the arms of the main cross being the same width as the principal cross of the Union Flag panel. Although I would normally give credence to an actual flag the overwhelming support for the main cross being wider makes me wonder.
Neale Rosanoski, 31 May 2004

The same house flag (with the arms of the main cross wider than the arms of the Union Jack) is shown (#1748, p. 120) in Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) for R.P. Houston & Co. (Houston Line).
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#85
Ivan Sache, 4 May 2021

image by António Martins-Tuválkin, 2 September 2024

A postcard collection [o9oXXb] shows this flag without the red "H" on a white disc, consisting only of the two overlapped flags. It shows their relative proportions in such a way that the overall flag is 2:3, the “border” (i.e., the visible portion of the Saint George flag all around the Union Jack) width is 1/8th of the flag’s height (and therefore the U.J. itself is 3:5), and both the width of the white crossarms of the U.J. and of the red crossarms of the St.G. are 1/4th of the flag’s height, all of which yields a pleasant pattern other illustrations do not. This is my interpretation of the postcard image, of course: It’s not detailed enough to fully match this exact geometry, especially at the upper fly quadrant, and the naturalistic fluttering depiction doesn’t help.
António Martins-Tuválkin, 2 September 2024

Chas. Howard & Sons

image by Ivan Sache, 21 April 2021

Lloyds Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the house flag of "Chas. Howard & Sons" (#20, p. 37), a company based in London, as blue with, in the middle, the white letters "CH & S".
Ivan Sache, 15 March 2008

Hoyland Line

image by António Martins, 18 Sep 2006

Postcard [o9oXXb] (6th pc., 4th row, 1st flag) shows for Hoyland Line a horizontal triband of black, red and golden (i.e., identical in design to the flag of Germany).
António Martins, 18 Sep 2006

Hoyland Line was a UK based line in London originating 1891 and ceasing trading 1900.
Neale Rosanoski, 19 September 2009

Lloyd's Book of House Flags and Funnels (1912) shows the same house flag (#1093, p. 89).
[Accordingly, the company did not cease trading in 1900, or subsequently resumed trading.]
https://research.mysticseaport.org/item/l011061/l011061-c008/#54
Ivan Sache, 29 April 2021

British Shipping lines: continued