Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand
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36-38 Customhouse, Quay, Wellington, New Zealand
The Union Company, Union Steam Ship Company (USS Co), or Union Line was started in Dunedin, New Zealand in 1875, when it was floated by James Mills, who had been clerk to Johnny Jones and his Harbour Steam Company.
After Jones’ death, Mills floated the Union Company with backing from Peter Denny in return for orders for his Dumbarton shipyard in Scotland.
The Union Company became a major shipping line, with a near-monopoly on trans-Tasman shipping, and was referred to as the Southern Octopus.
1917 The Union Company was sold by Mills to the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co.
Mills, who was born in Wellington, was knighted in 1907 and made K.C.M.G. in 1909. He was a UK resident from 1907, and died in London.
The Union Company, Union Steam Ship Company, or Union Line had owned more than 350 ships
See Also
Sources of Information
- Directory of Shipowners, Shipbuilders and Marine Engineers 1955
- [1] Wikipedia