Union-Castle Line Archival Collection

The Union-Castle Line offered many passenger and freight services including Royal Mail Service; Intermediate Steamship Class Service, East African Coast Service, Mauritius Service and Service to Lobito. For the UK, They served the ports of London and Southampton.

 

 

1911-07-15 RMS Walmer Castle

 

1911-07-15 RMS Walmer Castle Passenger List

Cabin Passenger List from the RMS Walmer Castle of the Union-Castle Line, Departing Saturday, 15 July 1911 from Southampton for Capetown via Madeira, Algoa Bay, East London, and Natal, Commanded by Captain F. Whitehead, RNR.

 

Front Cover of a First and Second Class Passenger List from the RMS Armadale Castle of the Union-Castle Line, Departing 12 November 1920 from Southampton to Natal via Madeira, Cape Town, Algoa Bay and East London

 

1920-11-19 RMS Armadale Castle Passenger List

First and Second Class Passenger List from the RMS Armadale Castle of the Union-Castle Line, Departing 12 November 1920 from Southampton to Natal via Madeira, Cape Town, Algoa Bay and East London, Commanded by Captain J. W. Hague, R.N.R.

 

1927-11-04 R.M.M.V. Carnarvon Castle

 

1927-11-04 R.M.M.V. Carnarvon Castle Passenger List

Cabin Passenger List for the RMS Carnarvon Castle of the Union-Castle Line, Departing 4 November 1927 from Southampton to Capetown via Madeira, Algoa Bay, East London, and Natal, Commanded by Captain W. F. Stanley.

 

1929-05-23 SS Llandaff Castle

 

1929-05-23 SS Llandaff Castle Passenger List

First Class Passenger List for 23 May 1929 SS Llandaff Castle of the Union-Castle Line, from London to South Africa via the Mediterranean. Commanded by Captain E. F. Gilbert.

 

1929-11-29 RMS Walmer Castle

 

1929-11-29 RMS Walmer Castle Passenger List

Cabin Passenger List for the RMS Walmer Castle of the Union-Castle Line, Departing 29 November 1929 from Capetown to Southampton via Madeira, Commanded by Captain W. Morton Betts.

 

Front Cover, Union-Castle Line RMMV Stirling Castle Cabin and Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List - 13 July 1939.

 

1939-07-13 RMMV Stirling Castle Passenger List

Cabin and Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List from the RMMV Stirling Castle of the Union-Castle Line, Departing 13 July 1939 from Southampton to Durban via Madeira, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and East London, Commanded by Captain H. R. Northwood.

 

1939-07-14 RMS Windsor Castle

 

1939-07-14 RMS Windsor Castle Passenger List

Cabin and Tourist Passenger List for the RMS Windor Castle of the Union-Castle Line, Departing 14 July 1939 from Cape Town to London via Madeira, Commanded by Captain R. W. Goodacre, RD, RNR.

 

1949-04-21 R.M.M.V. Capetown Castle

 

1949-04-21 R.M.M.V. Capetown Castle Passenger List

First and Cabin Class Passenger List for the RMS Capetown Castle of the Union-Castle Line, Departing 21 April 1949 from Southampton to Durban via Capetown, Port Elizabeth, East London and Madeira, Commanded by Captain W. D. Roach.

 

Front Cover, Union-Castle Line RMS Warwick Castle First Class and Tourist Passenger List - 15 December 1949.

 

1949-12-15 RMS Warwick Castle Passenger List

First Class and Tourist Passenger List from the RMS Warwick Castle of the Union-Castle Line, Departing 15 December 1949 from Southampton to Durban via Madeira, Capetown, Port Elizabeth, and East London, Commanded by Captain J. Trayner.

 

Front Cover of a First and Cabin Class Passenger List from the RMS Edinburgh Castle of the Union-Castle Line, Departing 31 March 1950 from Capetown to Southampton via Madeira

 

1950-03-31 RMS Edinburgh Castle Passenger List

First and Cabin Class Passenger List from the RMS Edinburgh Castle of the Union-Castle Line, Departing 31 March 1950 from Capetown to Southampton via Madeira, Commanded by Captain T. W. McAllen.

 

1954-12-09 R.M.M.V. Winchester Castle

 

1954-12-09 R.M.M.V. Winchester Castle Passenger List

Cabin and Tourist Class Passenger List for the RMS Winchester Castle of the Union-Castle Line, Departing 9 December 1954 from Southampton to Durban via Madeira, Capetown, Port Elizabeth, and East London , Commanded by Captain G. W. B. Lloyd.

 

1955-06-17 RMS Edinburgh Castle

 

1955-06-17 RMS Edinburgh Castle Passenger List

First Class and Cabin Passenger List for the RMS Edinburgh Castle of the Union-Castle Line, Departing 17 June 1955 from Capetown to London via Madeira, Commanded by Captain H. A. Deller.

 

 

Steamship Ticket  Record (1904) Union-Castle Line

SS Arundel Castle Contract Ticket - 8 October 1904

A detached counterpart to a Steerage Passenger's Contract Ticket for passage on the RMS Arundel Castle of the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, Limited. Voyage was from Southampton to Cape Town departing on 1904-10-08.

 

Front Side, Steerage Passenger's Contract Ticket, The Union-Castle Mail Steamship Co., Ltd.

SS Halmer Castle Passage Contract - 17 November 1906

Extraordinary original Steerage Passenger's Contract Ticket for a 27 year old man from Southampton, England for passage to Natal, South Africa in 1906. It provides rich details of the requirements of the steamship company in terms of food, water and other items supplied during the journey.

 

Third Class Passage Ticket, Cape Town to England, 16 September 1907

SS Garka Passage Contract - 16 September 1907

Third Class Counterpart Passage Ticket Issued to F. R. Peverall by the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company on 16 September 1907 for Third Class passage on the SS Garka from Cape Town to England. Cost of the Ticket was £10:10:0. Includes Contract Terms and Conditions and Notice to Passengers.

 

Rare Deck Class Steamship Ticket of the Union Castle Line for passage from Port Said to Delogoa Bay on the RMS Dunvegan Castle dated 15 November 1912.

 

Passenger Tickets

Ocean Return Tickets

A reduction off the amount of two Single Fares is made on Ocean Return Tickets. Ocean Return Tickets are available for twelve months.

Single Tickets, Re-Booking Allowance

Passengers who have taken a Single Ticket only from England or South Africa (paying the full single tariff fare thereon), and who return within twelve months from the date of embarkation, will be allowed a reduction of 10 per cent. on the amount of the single journey back, on production of the counterfoil of the first single ticket taken by them. This concession does not apply to passages Coastwise or to Ports at which the Steamers of the Union-Castle Line do not call.

The period of twelve months specified above cannot under any circumstances be extended.

Prepaid Passages, Outward or Homeward

Passages can be prepaid in England or South Africa for friends on the other side, and advice of such passages can be sent by cable at a small additional expense if desired. The Company, however, does not accept any responsibility for any inaccuracy, mistake or oversight on the part of the Company's Servants or Agents, or any other persons, in the wording, despatch or delivery of any telegram or letter in connection with these prepaid passages, or for any consequences arising therefrom.

Remittances of small amounts can also be made to passengers at the same time.

 

 

Menu Cover - Dinner Menu and Music Program - Union-Castle Line SS Dunluce Castle - 1936

 

1936-05-25 SS Dunluce Castle Dinner Menu

Rare Vintage Dinner Menu from 25 May 1936 on board the SS Dunluce Castle of the Union-Castle Line featured Mignon of Beef Benjamin, Supreme of Turbot, Sauce Riche, and Junket aux Fraises Chantilly for dessert.

 

 

July 1911 Union-Castle Line Track Chart.

July 1911 Union-Castle Line Track Chart. GGA Image ID # 1da2612992

 

 

November 1920 Union-Castle Line Track Chart.

November 1920 Union-Castle Line Track Chart. GGA Image ID # 1678ed6f74

 

May 1929 Union-Castle Line Track Chart.

May 1929 Union-Castle Line Track Chart. GGA Image ID # 1da2658540

 

July 1939 Union-Castle Line Track Chart.

July 1939 Union-Castle Line Track Chart. GGA Image ID # 13ee71310d

 

April 1949 Union-Castle Line Track Chart.

April 1949 Union-Castle Line Track Chart. GGA Image ID # 1da4915685

 

March 1950 Union-Castle Line Track Chart.

March 1950 Union-Castle Line Track Chart. GGA Image ID # 15f7b25f36

 

 

November 1927 Union-Castle Line Fleet List.

November 1927 Union-Castle Line Fleet List. GGA Image ID # 1313bb2f31

 

1929 Union- Castle Line Passenger List

  1. M.V. Winchester Castle :- About 20 000 Tons (Building)
  2. M.V. Warwick Castle :- About 20,000 Tons (Building)
  3. M.V. Carnarvon Castle :- 20,063 Tons
  4. SS Arundel Castle :- 19,023 Tons
  5. SS Windsor Castle :- 18,967 Tons
  6. SS Bal Moral Castle :- 13,361  Tons
  7. SS Edinburgh Castle :- 13.330 Tons
  8. SS Kenilworth Castle :- 12.975 Tons
  9. SS Armadale Castle :- 12,973 Tons
  10. SS Walmer Castle :- 12,546 Tons
  11. SS Saxon :- 12,385 Tons
  12. M.V. Llangibby Castle :- About 11,000 Tons (Building)
  13. SS Llanstephan Castle :- 11,293 Tons
  14. SS Llandaff Castle :- 10,786 Tons
  15. SS Llandovery Castle :- 10,609 Tons
  16. M.V. Dunbar Castle :- About 10,000 Tons (Building)
  17. SS Kildonan Castle :- 9.688 Tons
  18. SS Durham Castle :- 8,239 Tons
  19. SS Dunluce Castle :- 8,130 Tons
  20. SS Gloucester Castle :- 7,999 Tons
  21. SS Guildford Castle :- 7,995 Tons
  22. SS Garrth Castle :- 7,715 Tons
  23. SS Sandgate Castle :- 7,634 Tons
  24. SS Grantully Castle :- 7,612 Tons
  25. SS Sandown Castle :- 7.607 Tons
  26. SS Chepstow Castle :- 7,494 Tons
  27. SS Ripley Castle :- 7,446 Tons
  28. SS Glengorm Castle :- 6,763 Tons
  29. SS Bampton Castle :- 6,698 Tons
  30. SS Bratton Castle :- 6,696 Tons
  31. SS Banbury Castle :- 6.429 Tons
  32. SS Carlow Castle :- 5,833 Tons
  33. SS Dundrum Castle :- 5,259 Tons
  34. SS Dromore Castle :- 5,242 Tons
  35. SS Crawford Castle :- 4.383 Tons
  36. SS Rovuma :- 1,239 Tons
  37. SS Eider :- 1,236 Tons
  38. SS Hansa :- 880 Tons
  39. SS Stork :- 278 Tons
  40. SS Koodoo :- 119 Tons

 

July 1939 Union Castle Line Fleet List.

July 1939 Union Castle Line Fleet List. GGA Image ID # 1da2d72758

 

Union-Castle Line Royal Mail Service

 

The South African Royal Mail Steamers are despatched from Southampton every Friday for the Cape Province and Natal via Madeira. On the outward journey the Royal Mail Steamers proceed as far as Durban, at which Port they commence the homeward voyage, sailing thence every Thursday; from East London every Friday; from Algoa Bay (Port Elizabeth) every Saturday; arriving at Capetown usually on Monday morning, and proceeding thence to Southampton, via Madeira, on the Friday.

Passengers landing at Madeira may enjoy a very interesting excursion to Terreiro da Lucta by the Mount Railway Company's trains which make the trip in half an hour. Tickets may be obtained from the Purser.

The Mail Service to St. Helena and Ascension is performed by the Intermediate Steamers calling at these Islands, Outward and Homeward, approximately every four weeks.

Intermediate Service

The Intermediate Steamers taking First and Third Class Passengers only at lower rates than by the Royal Mail Steamers, are despatched frequently from London, for the Cape Province, Natal, Lourenço Marques (Delagoa Bay), and Beira. These Steamers proceed alternately via Las Palmas (Grand Canary) and Teneriffe.

There is a homeward service by Intermediate Steamers from the Cape Ports, Durban, Lourenco, Marques, Beira and Mauritius, via Las Palmas or Teneriffe to London.

East Coast Service

During each period of three months two Passenger Steamers are despatched to East and South African ports via Suez, returning via the West Coast and Canary Islands, and there is a similar service to South Africa via the Canary Islands, returning via East Coast ports and Suez.

Mauritius Service

Connection between England and Mauritius is maintained by Steamers at certain intervals.

Lobito Service

Calls at Lobito are sometimes made on the outward and homeward voyage.

Handbook of Information for Passengers can be obtained gratis from the Purser on board.

The South and East African Year Book and Guide, nearly 1,000 pages with 64 pages of maps in colour, On sale in the Hairdresser's Shop, price 2/6.

 

Badges of Rank - Union-Castle Line Officers Insignia.

Badges of Rank - Union-Castle Line Officers Insignia. GGA Image ID # 1da49c7c90

 

 

Advertisement for the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town Appearing in the 29 November 1929 Walmer Castle Passenger List.

Advertisement for the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town Appearing in the 29 November 1929 Walmer Castle Passenger List. GGA Image ID # 1da2d57b5d

Advertisements for Mount Railway -- The Key to Madeira Scenery and the Esplanade and Belmonte Shore Excursions, July 1939.

Advertisements for Mount Railway -- The Key to Madeira Scenery and the Esplanade and Belmonte Shore Excursions, July 1939. GGA Image ID # 1da2fc57c8

 

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