The definitive study of one of Britain's premier historic shipping companies. Founded in 1825 by the 21-year-old George Thompson Jnr, the Aberdeen Line developed over 100 years into one of the best-respected shipping lines in Britain. Initially traversing the short sea, Atlantic, South American, Far Eastern and Antipodean trade routes before settling to become the longest serving line on the Australian trade, the Aberdeen name navigated commercial take overs by the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company, Shaw Savill and Albion, Lord Kylsant's Royal Mail Group and Furness Withy, before becoming all but forgotten when it finally furling its sails in 1957. Here Peter H King seeks to bring this once prominent shipping line's history to light once more for the enjoyment of shipping enthusiasts and maritime historians everywhere. AUTHOR: Captain Peter H. King has 59 years' experience in the merchant shipping industry. Beginning as a BP cadet and seeing officer service in the New Zealand Shipping Co., he moved to a marine support role that led to him being based in Aberdeen, where he became fascinated by the Aberdeen Line. Since then, he has held a post at Trinity House and is now the principal of a marine surveying practice. He is liveryman of the Honorable Company of Master Mariners and a Fellow of the Nautical Institute. 120 b/w illustrations 14 colour illustrations SELLING POINTS: . llustrated with unique drawings, diagrams and charts . Features the famous clipper Thermopylae, which Cutty Sark was built to beat (with questionable outcome) . A significant gap in maritime history is filled by this comprehensive work . Link through Furness Withy with the current Hamburg Sud Group . Foreword by the great - grandson of George Thompson Jnr