History
1822–1836 Beckington, Wilson and Company :
None of the partners came from shipping background but were quick to see the opportunity of becoming involved in the industry and they acquired their first sailing ship the "Thomas and Ann" in 1825, and a schooner "Swift" in 1831.
1836–1840 Wilson, Hudson and Company :
In about 1836 John Beckington dropped out of the partnership and the new company was formed.
1841–1850 Thomas Wilson and Company :
The two Hudson partners retired in 1840/1841 allowing Thomas Wilson to take full control. He brought his eldest son David into the business as his partner.
1850–1916 Thomas Wilson Sons and Company :
In 1850 his other sons Charles and Arthur joined and became active partners, the name changing to Thomas Wilson Sons and Company, though usually known as the Wilson Line of Hull.
Thomas died in 1869 and the company was taken over by Charles and Arthur Wilson, with David remaining, as he always had been, more of a silent partner. A few years later when they were beginning to question the ability of their own sons to continue running the firm they brought in a non-family member, Oswald Sanderson, to become the new Managing Director.
1878 Purchased the seven ship fleet of Brownlow Marsdin and Co., bringing the 'Wilson' fleet to 52 ships.
1903 Purchased 23 ships from Bailey & Leetham
1906 Formation of Wilson's and North Eastern Railway Shipping Co. Ltd :
Part of the operation was merged with the North Eastern Railway creating Wilson's & North Eastern Railway Shipping Co. Ltd
1906 Purchase of Earle's Shipbuilding :
Purchased the shares in the ailing and local Earle's Shipbuilding and ordered vessels from them.
1916–1973 Ellerman's Wilson Line :
The company was sold to Sir John Ellerman in 1916, owner of the successful Ellerman Line and supposedly the richest man in Britain at the time. There can be little doubt that the loss of three of its largest and most prestigious vessels to enemy action during a three-week period in the summer contributed greatly to the Wilson family's decision to sell the company. Though it kept the Wilson name (Ellerman's Wilson Line of Hull) and continued for several years, it never saw the same success, despite a brief revival in the 1950s, and was eventually closed in 1973 when the Ellerman company turned its focus elsewhere.
Read more about this topic: Thomas Wilson Sons & Co.
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