Overview

This book is an in-depth case study of the Furness Withy and Co Shipping Group, which operated both tramp and liner services and was one of the five major British shipping groups of the early twentieth century. It demonstrates how British shipowners of this period generated success by exploring Christopher Furness’ career in relation to the social, political, and cultural currents during a time of tremendous shipping growth in Britain and the establishment of some of the largest shipping firms in the world. It approaches the study from three angles. The first analyses how the Furness Group expanded its shipping activities and became involved with the industrial sector. The second illustrates the organisational and financial structure of the enterprise. Finally, the Group’s leadership and entrepreneurship is scrutinised and placed within the wider context of twentieth century British business. The case study begins in 1870, with an introduction explaining how Christopher Furness came to join the family company, Thomas Furness and Co. in order develop services, expand, and instigate the changes and mergers that brought the Furness Group into existence. There are thirteen chronologically presented chapters, a bibliography, and seven appendices of data including an ownership timeline, tonnage statistics, acquisitions, a list of maritime associates, and a timeline of Christopher Furness’ life. The book concludes in 1919 with the de-merging of the Furness Group’s shipping and industrial holdings, the resignation of the Furness family from the company’s board, the sale of their shares, and the move into managing the firm’s industrial interests.

Full Product Details

Author:   Gordon H. Boyce
Publisher:   International Maritime Economic History Association
Imprint:   International Maritime Economic History Association
Volume:   49
ISBN:  

9780986497391

ISBN 10:   0986497398
Pages:   417
Publication Date:   01 January 2012
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

About the Author / iii Acknowledgements / v Figures and Tables / vii Introduction / 1 Chapter 1: Furness' Shipping Services: Growth by Organic Means in the 1880s / 15 Chapter 2: The 1890s: Furness Withy's Expansion by Acquisition and Promotion / 35 Chapter 3: Diversification into the Industrial Sector, 1895-1901 / 55 Chapter 4: Trouble on the Transatlantic Route: The Formation of IMM and Furness' Response / 85 Chapter 5: The Growth of Shipping Services, 1902-1909 / 107 Chapter 6: Industrial Operations and Performance, 1900-1914 / 143 Chapter 7: The Growth of the Shipping Interests, 1910-1919 / 177 Chapter 8: Structure / 213 Chapter 9: Finance / 249 Chapter 10: Holding Company Investment Activities and Intermediary Operations / 285 Chapter 11: Personnel / 299 Chapter 12: Furness / 321 Chapter 13: Dissolution / 359 Appendix 1: Development of the Combined Fleet, 1900-1919 / 373 Appendix 2a: Patterns of Ownership: The Furness Group, 1919 / 376 Appendix 2b: Reorganizations of Branch Offices and Superintending Departments, 1911-1912 / 377 Appendix 3a: Fluctuations in Freights, Profits, Tonnage Afloat and Merchant Shipping Output / 378 Appendix 3b: Output of Merchant Tonnage (Excluding Warships), 1892-1913 / 379 Appendix 3c: Fluctuations in the Price of a 7500-Ton Cargo Steamer, 1898-1913 / 380 Appendix 4: Development of the Furness Group: Principal Promotions, Acquisitions and Divestments, 1880-1919 / 381 Appendix 5: Northern Allies and Maritime Associates / 384 Appendix 6: Contemporary Accounting Law and Conventions, 1845-1914 / 385 Appendix 7: Lord Furness' Movements, 1899-1912 / 387 Bibliography / 389 Appendix A: A Note on the Shipping Statistics, 1686-1788 / 379 Appendix B: Sources for the History of the Shipping Industry / 391 Index / 397

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Author Information

Gordon H. Boyce is Emeritus Professor at the College of Human and Social Futures (International Business), University of Newcastle, NSW Australia. Formerly Dean of the Business School at the University of Newcastle NSW, Gordon has published ten books along with many articles and reviews, mostly related to maritime history.

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