Surrey Steamship Company Archival Collection
The Surrey Steamship Co., Ltd. of London operated the "Reigate" - a three-masted ship built in 1862 by C. Lungley, London for J. H. Allan, London. She was sold in 1876 to W. B. Jones of Swansea.
Explore the history of the Surrey Steamship Co., Ltd., a key player in 19th and early 20th-century ocean travel. Discover passenger contracts, ship launch records, and sea trial data—an essential resource for genealogists, historians, and maritime enthusiasts studying steamship advancements.
Quick Links to Topics Covered
4. Bibliography
5. Recap and Summary of the Surrey Steamship Company Archival Collection
1. Passage Contract (1867)
SS Reigate Passage Contract - 11 May 1867
This contract was intended for First Class passage on the SS Reigate of the Surrey Steamship Company, a 3-mast, full-rigged ship built in 1862 weighing 1,035 tons. The voyage cost from Melbourne to London was £85, over £7,150 in today's currency.
2. Launch of the SS Reigate
Reigate.-- On September 28th there was launched from the Jarrow shipyard of Palmer’s Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Limited, a finely modelled steel screw steamer, for the Surrey Steamship Company. Her dimensions are as follow Length between perpendiculars. 365 ft.; breadth, extreme, 48 ft.; depth. molded, 28 ft. 4 in The vessel will be rigged as a two-masted fore-and-aft schooner, and has been built under Lloyds special survey to class 100 Al. She has been designed to load 6,000 tons deadweight on a light draught of water. and will be fitted with engines of the triple expansion surface condensing type, having cylinders 214 in.. 41 in., and 70 in. in diameter, all having a stroke of 45 in. Steam is supplied by two cylindrical multi-tubular boilers, 14 ft. 9 in. diameter and 11 ft. 9 in. long, working at a pressure of 200 lbs, per square inch. As the vessel left the ways she was named the Reigate by Mrs. E. C. P- Hull, wife of the chairman of the Surrey Steamship Company.
3. Trial Trip - SS Reigate
Reigate.—On November 19th the steamship Reigate, the second of three sister ships being built by Palmers’ Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Limited, Jarrow. for the Surrey Steamship Company of London (of which we gave particulars in our November issue, page 337) Was taken to sea for her official steam trials, which were in every respect satisfactory, a speed of about 12 knots being attained, the engines running at 71 revolutions and indicating 2.000 H.P.
4. Bibliography
"Launches and Trial Trips, Reigate," in The Marine Engineer: A Monthly Journal of Marine Engineering, Shipbuilding, Steam Navigation & Electrical Engineering, London: The Marine Engineer Office For Advertisements and Publication, Vol. XXIII, No. 8, 1 November 1901, p. 337
"Trial Trips: Reigate," in The Marine Engineer, The Marine Engineer: A Monthly Journal of Marine Engineering, Shipbuilding, Steam Navigation & Electrical Engineering, London: The Marine Engineer Office For Advertisements and Publication, Vol. XXIII, No. 10, 1 January 1902, p. 446
5. Recap and Summary of the Surrey Steamship Company Archival Collection
The Surrey Steamship Co., Ltd. of London was a prominent shipping company during the 19th and early 20th centuries, operating vessels for both passenger and cargo transport. This archival collection provides a detailed look into the history and operations of the company, focusing on its ships, passenger services, shipbuilding advancements, and trial voyages.
This historical resource is invaluable for teachers, students, genealogists, and maritime historians, as it offers primary records of transoceanic travel, ship engineering innovations, and economic aspects of 19th-century shipping.
Most Interesting Highlights & Key Content
1. 1867 Passage Contract for the SS Reigate: A Glimpse into Passenger Travel
The first-class passage contract from Melbourne to London (May 11, 1867) highlights the cost and conditions of 19th-century ocean travel.
The fare of £85 (equivalent to over £7,150 in 2022) shows the economic scale of long-distance voyages during the era.
The SS Reigate, a three-masted, full-rigged ship built in 1862, was originally owned by J.H. Allan before being sold in 1876, indicating its role in both passenger and cargo transport over different ownership periods.
This contract is an important resource for genealogists tracing ancestors who migrated or traveled between Australia and England.
2. Launch of the SS Reigate (1901): Advancements in Shipbuilding
The new SS Reigate was launched on September 28, 1901, at Palmers' Shipbuilding and Iron Company in Jarrow, signifying a shift from sailing ships to modern steamers.
Built under Lloyd’s Special Survey (100 A1 Classification), this steel screw steamer was designed for heavy cargo loads, with a capacity of 6,000 tons.
Technical advancements:
- Triple expansion steam engines for improved fuel efficiency.
- High-pressure boilers (200 lbs per square inch) for increased power.
- Two-masted schooner rigging, showcasing a blend of traditional and modern ship designs.
The launch event, with Mrs. E.C.P. Hull christening the ship, highlights the maritime tradition of ship-naming ceremonies.
3. Sea Trials of the SS Reigate (1901-1902): Testing Performance & Speed
The official trial trip on November 19, 1901, tested the ship’s speed, engine efficiency, and operational performance.
Achieved a speed of 12 knots, with triple expansion engines generating 2,000 horsepower.
The surpassing of performance expectations illustrates the technological progress in early 20th-century marine engineering.
Historians and maritime engineers can use this as a case study in the evolution of steamship performance and shipyard advancements.
Why This Collection is Valuable
This archival collection serves multiple research and educational purposes:
- Teachers & Students: Provides a detailed case study of the transition from sail to steam, maritime commerce, and passenger travel in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Genealogists: The 1867 passenger contract is a valuable primary source for tracing immigrants and travelers between Australia and England.
- Historians: The shipbuilding and sea trial records offer insights into the industrial progress of British shipyards and early steam engine technology.
- Maritime Enthusiasts: The technical specifications, performance records, and ship descriptions provide a detailed view of the shipbuilding advancements of the time.
