Founding an Empire: Maritime Glasgow and the Clan Line

About this episode

This episode explores the history of the Clan Line and its significance in maritime Glasgow.

This episode continues our mini series on the history of the Clan Line, one of the most prominent and enduring British shipping companies of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Founded in Glasgow in 1878 by Sir Charles Cayzer, the line began with a small fleet of steamships and quickly grew into a major force in maritime commerce. Its ships, all bearing the 'Clan' prefix in their names, became a familiar sight across the world’s oceans, linking Britain with India, South Africa, and the Far East. This episode takes us to the heart of the maritime world from which the Clan Line emerged. Every great story has a turning point and for the Clan Line, one of those moments came in a hotel in Glasgow — when the young Charles Cayzer, who had come to Glasgow to follow his maritime dream, met with alexander Stephen, a shipbuilder with a yard on the Clyde, in the very centre of the city.   To find out more Dr Sam Willis met up with Ian Johnston, a well-known and deeply knowledgable Clydeside historian, for a tour of maritime Glasgow, to help us understand the world into which the Clan Line was born. They visit key sites like St. Vincent Place, the Anchor Line building, and…

People in this episode

Host: Dr Sam Willis

Guest: Ian Johnston

Topics covered

• maritime history
• shipping industry
• Clan Line
• Glasgow
• shipbuilding
• Clyde River

Keywords

• Clan Line
• Glasgow
• maritime commerce
• shipbuilding
• Clyde
• Sir Charles Cayzer
• Ian Johnston

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Clan Line

Places: Glasgow, India, South Africa, Far East, Clyde, Govan, Fairfield, St. Vincent Place, Anchor Line building, George Square

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