Thomas Wilson, Sons and Co
of Hull
The Wilson Line of Steamers
1841 John and Thomas Hudson withdrew from the partnership Wilson, Hudson and Codeath and the company became Thomas Wilson, Sons and Co
1878 Bought Brownlow, Marsdin and Co of Hull
1891 The company was registered on 26 January, to acquire a business of shipowners.
1896 Wilsons and Furness-Leyland Line was registered on 4 September, to take over the London and New York business of Thomas Wilson, Sons and Co of Hull, and the London and Boston businesses of Frederick Leyland and Co of Liverpool, and Furness, Withy and Co of London, with steamers and leasehold properties. [1]
1903 The business of Bailey and Leetham of Hull was acquired. [2]
1900s The Wilson Line was the largest private ship owning company in the world.
1916 Wilson & Co. had been the largest private shipping line in the world, but had fallen into entrepreneurial decline when it was acquired by Ellerman Lines and became Ellerman's Wilson Line Ltd in 1917.