Union-Castle Line History and Ephemera
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.
Passenger Lists
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.
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 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 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 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.
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 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 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.
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.
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 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 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.
Passage Contracts, Tickets, and Receipts
1904-10-08 Steamship Ticket Record - Union-Castle Line
A detached counterpart to a Steerage Passenger's Contract Ticket for passage on the RMS Arundale Castle of the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, Limited. Voyage was from Southampton to Cape Town departing on 1904-10-08.
1906-11-12 Steerage Contract Ticket - Southampton to Natal
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.
1907-09-16 Counterpart to Third Class Passage Ticket
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.
1912-11-15 Deck Class Ticket - RMS Dunvegan Castle
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.
Menus
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.
Route Maps, Track Charts, and Extracts of Logs
July 1911 Union-Castle Line Track Chart. GGA Image ID # 1da2612992
November 1920 Union-Castle Line Track Chart. GGA Image ID # 1678ed6f74
May 1929 Union-Castle Line Track Chart. GGA Image ID # 1da2658540
July 1939 Union-Castle Line Track Chart. GGA Image ID # 13ee71310d
April 1949 Union-Castle Line Track Chart. GGA Image ID # 1da4915685
March 1950 Union-Castle Line Track Chart. GGA Image ID # 15f7b25f36
Fleet List and Tonnage
November 1927 Union-Castle Line Fleet List. GGA Image ID # 1313bb2f31
1929 Union- Castle Line Passenger List
- M.V. Winchester Castle :- About 20 000 Tons (Building)
- M.V. Warwick Castle :- About 20,000 Tons (Building)
- M.V. Carnarvon Castle :- 20,063 Tons
- SS Arundel Castle :- 19,023 Tons
- SS Windsor Castle :- 18,967 Tons
- SS Bal Moral Castle :- 13,361 Tons
- SS Edinburgh Castle :- 13.330 Tons
- SS Kenilworth Castle :- 12.975 Tons
- SS Armadale Castle :- 12,973 Tons
- SS Walmer Castle :- 12,546 Tons
- SS Saxon :- 12,385 Tons
- M.V. Llangibby Castle :- About 11,000 Tons (Building)
- SS Llanstephan Castle :- 11,293 Tons
- SS Llandaff Castle :- 10,786 Tons
- SS Llandovery Castle :- 10,609 Tons
- M.V. Dunbar Castle :- About 10,000 Tons (Building)
- SS Kildonan Castle :- 9.688 Tons
- SS Durham Castle :- 8,239 Tons
- SS Dunluce Castle :- 8,130 Tons
- SS Gloucester Castle :- 7,999 Tons
- SS Guildford Castle :- 7,995 Tons
- SS Garrth Castle :- 7,715 Tons
- SS Sandgate Castle :- 7,634 Tons
- SS Grantully Castle :- 7,612 Tons
- SS Sandown Castle :- 7.607 Tons
- SS Chepstow Castle :- 7,494 Tons
- SS Ripley Castle :- 7,446 Tons
- SS Glengorm Castle :- 6,763 Tons
- SS Bampton Castle :- 6,698 Tons
- SS Bratton Castle :- 6,696 Tons
- SS Banbury Castle :- 6.429 Tons
- SS Carlow Castle :- 5,833 Tons
- SS Dundrum Castle :- 5,259 Tons
- SS Dromore Castle :- 5,242 Tons
- SS Crawford Castle :- 4.383 Tons
- SS Rovuma :- 1,239 Tons
- SS Eider :- 1,236 Tons
- SS Hansa :- 880 Tons
- SS Stork :- 278 Tons
- SS Koodoo :- 119 Tons
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. GGA Image ID # 1da49c7c90
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. GGA Image ID # 1da2fc57c8
