Oceanic Steam Navigation Co
1869 Thomas Henry Ismay, soon after he had purchased the White Star Line, formed a partnership with an old friend and fellow-apprentice, William Imrie, the Oceanic Steam Navigation Co; this was backed by Gustavus Schwabe, a Liverpool merchant, on condition that all their ships would be ordered from Harland and Wolff (a shipbuilding venture involving Schwabe's nephew, Gustav Wilhelm Wolff, and Edward James Harland - Harland and Wolff).
The 2 friends had already formed a joint company Ismay, Imrie and Co which became a subsidiary division of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company. Ismay ran the steamers under the White Star flag. Imrie ran the sailing vessels under the name of North West Shipping Co.
1902 The shares of the White Star Line company passed into American hands.
1927 A new White Star Line Ltd was formed in British ownership to acquire the Oceanic Steam Navigation Co.[1]
1933 Assets incorporated in the new company Cunard White Star Ltd[2]