Union-Castle Line: The Pioneers of British-South African Ocean Travel (1900–1977)
The Union-Castle Line offered many passenger and freight services including Royal Mail Service; Intermediate Steamship Class Service, East African Coast Service, Mauritius Service and Service to Lobito. For the UK, They served the ports of London and Southampton.
Explore the history of the Union-Castle Line, a leading British shipping company that connected the UK and South Africa. Discover passenger lists, ship histories, travel documents, and maritime innovations—an essential resource for genealogists, historians, and maritime enthusiasts.
Quick Links To Topics Covered
1. Passenger Lists
(A) Armadale Castle (C1) Capetown Castle (C2) Carnarvon Castle (E) Edinburgh Castle (L) Llandaff Castle (S) Stirling Castle (W1) Walmer Castle (W2) Warwick Castle (W3) Winchester Castle (W4) Windsor Castle
2. Passage Contracts, Tickets, and Receipts
3. Menus
4. Route Maps, Track Charts, and Extracts of Logs
6. Union-Castle Line Royal Mail Services
7. Hotel and Railway Advertisements (Union-Castle Ephemera)
8. Recap and Summary of the Union-Castle Line Archival Collection
1. Passenger Lists
1920-11-19 RMS Armadale Castle Passenger List
Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
Class of Passengers: First and Second Class
Date of Departure: 12 November 1920
Route: Southampton to Natal via Madeira, Cape Town, Algoa Bay and East London
Commander: Captain J. W. Hague, R.N.R.
1949-04-21 R.M.M.V. Capetown Castle Passenger List
Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
Class of Passengers: First and Cabin Class
Date of Departure: 21 April 1949
Route: Southampton to Durban via Capetown, Port Elizabeth, East London and Madeira
Commander: Captain W. D. Roach
1927-11-04 R.M.M.V. Carnarvon Castle Passenger List
Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin
Date of Departure: 4 November 1927
Route: Southampton to Capetown via Madeira, Algoa Bay, East London, and Natal
Commander: Captain W. F. Stanley
1950-03-31 RMS Edinburgh Castle Passenger List
Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
Class of Passengers: First and Cabin Class
Date of Departure: 31 March 1950
Route: Capetown to Southampton via Madeira
Commander: Captain T. W. McAllen
1955-06-17 RMS Edinburgh Castle Passenger List
Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
Class of Passengers: First and Cabin Class
Date of Departure: 17 June 1955
Route: Capetown to London via Madeira
Commander: Captain H. A. Deller
1929-05-23 SS Llandaff Castle Passenger List
Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
Class of Passengers: First Class
Date of Departure: 23 May 1929
Route: London to South Africa via the Mediterranean
Commander: Captain E. F. Gilbert
1939-07-13 RMMV Stirling Castle Passenger List
Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin and Tourist Third Cabin
Date of Departure: 13 July 1939
Route: Southampton to Durban via Madeira, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and East London
Commander: Captain H. R. Northwood
1911-07-15 RMS Walmer Castle Passenger List
Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin
Date of Departure: 15 July 1911
Route: Southampton to Capetown via Madeira, Algoa Bay, East London, and Natal
Commander: Captain F. Whitehead, R.N.R.
1929-11-29 RMS Walmer Castle Passenger List
Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin
Date of Departure: 29 November 1929
Route: Capetown to Southampton via Madeira
Commander: Captain W. Morton Betts
1949-12-15 RMS Warwick Castle Passenger List
Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
Class of Passengers: First Class and Tourist
Date of Departure: 15 December 1949
Route: Southampton to Durban via Madeira, Capetown, Port Elizabeth, and East London
Commander: Captain J. Trayner
1954-12-09 R.M.M.V. Winchester Castle Passenger List
Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin and Tourist Class
Date of Departure: 9 December 1954
Route: Southampton to Durban via Madeira, Capetown, Port Elizabeth, and East London
Commander: Captain G. W. B. Lloyd
1939-07-14 RMS Windsor Castle Passenger List
Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin and Tourist
Date of Departure: 14 July 1939
Route: Cape Town to London via Madeira
Commander: Captain R. W. Goodacre, R.D, R.N.R.
2. Passage Contracts, Tickets, and Receipts
SS Arundel Castle Contract Ticket - 8 October 1904
A superbly preserved Counterpart Passenger's Contract Ticket No. 48799, issued for steerage passage aboard the celebrated RMS Arundel Castle of the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, Limited, dated 8 October 1904. This document represents an essential artifact of British maritime and colonial history, signifying the vital connection between Southampton and Cape Town during a period of heightened migration and trade within the British Empire.
The Union-Castle Line, established through the merger of Donald Currie’s Castle Line and the Union Line in 1900, was synonymous with premier passenger service on the Southampton-Cape Town route. The RMS Arundel Castle, a vessel of considerable capacity and renown, epitomized the company’s commitment to efficiency, reliability, and safety, especially for third-class and steerage passengers seeking new opportunities in South Africa.
SS Walmer Castle Passage Contract - 17 November 1906
This Steerage Passenger Contract Ticket, issued by the esteemed Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company on 12 November 1906, represents a compelling piece of history, chronicling the movement of individuals during the height of British colonial expansion. The contract secured passage for Mr. Walter Bayley, a 27-year-old traveler, departing from Southampton to Natal, South Africa, aboard the RMS Walmer Castle.
SS Garka Passage Contract - 16 September 1907
This Third-Class Passage Contract, dated 16 September 1907, offers a fascinating glimpse into maritime travel during the early 20th century. Issued by the prestigious Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, this contract secured passage for F. R. Peverall aboard the SS Garka, a stalwart of the Union-Castle fleet, on a voyage from Cape Town, South Africa, to England. This Counterpart Passage Contract reflects the passenger’s journey while encapsulating the robust legal frameworks and logistical details characteristic of Union-Castle voyages. The inclusion of detailed terms, conditions, and regulations highlights the rigor with which maritime travel was conducted at the time.
SS Dunvegan Castle Counterpart Passage Receipt - 15 November 1912
A compelling artifact of Edwardian maritime travel, this Deck Class Counterpart Passage Receipt from the RMS Dunvegan Castle offers a vivid glimpse into the global mobility of the early 20th century. Issued on 15 November 1912 by the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, this ticket represents the promise of opportunity and exploration for its holder, Mr. S. Peroganakis, as he embarked on a journey from Port Said to Delagoa Bay (present-day Maputo, Mozambique). This deck class ticket speaks to the accessibility of such voyages for individuals seeking a new life or opportunity in the British colonies or beyond.
3. Menus
1936-05-25 SS Dunluce Castle Dinner Menu
Rare Vintage Dinner Menu from 25 May 1936 on board the SS Dunluce Castle of the Union-Castle Line featured Mignon of Beef Benjamin, Supreme of Turbot, Sauce Riche, and Junket aux Fraises Chantilly for dessert.
4. Route Maps, Track Charts, and Extracts of Logs
Track Chart of the Union-Castle Line Steamships (1911). SS Walmer Castle Passenger List, 15 July 1911. GGA Image ID # 1da2612992
Track Chart of the Union-Castle Line Steamships (1920). SS Amadale Castle Passenger List, 12 November 1920. GGA Image ID # 1678ed6f74
Track Chart of the Union-Castle Line Steamships (1929). Llandaff Castle Passenger List, 23 May 1929. GGA Image ID # 1da2658540
Track Chart of the Union-Castle Line Steamships (1939). SS Stirling Castle Passenger List, 13 July 1939. GGA Image ID # 13ee71310d
Track Chart of the Union-Castle Line Steamships (1949). SS Capetown Castle Passenger List, 21 April 1949. GGA Image ID # 1da4915685
Track Chart of the Union-Castle Line Steamships (1950). SS Edinburgh Castle Passenger List, 31 March 1950. GGA Image ID # 15f7b25f36
5. Fleet Lists and Tonnage
November 1927 Union-Castle Line Fleet List. GGA Image ID # 1313bb2f31
1929 Union- Castle Line Fleet
- M.V. Winchester Castle :- About 20 000 Tons (Building)
- M.V. Warwick Castle :- About 20,000 Tons (Building)
- M.V. Carnarvon Castle :- 20,063 Tons
- SS Arundel Castle :- 19,023 Tons
- SS Windsor Castle :- 18,967 Tons
- SS Bal Moral Castle :- 13,361 Tons
- SS Edinburgh Castle :- 13.330 Tons
- SS Kenilworth Castle :- 12.975 Tons
- SS Armadale Castle :- 12,973 Tons
- SS Walmer Castle :- 12,546 Tons
- SS Saxon :- 12,385 Tons
- M.V. Llangibby Castle :- About 11,000 Tons (Building)
- SS Llanstephan Castle :- 11,293 Tons
- SS Llandaff Castle :- 10,786 Tons
- SS Llandovery Castle :- 10,609 Tons
- M.V. Dunbar Castle :- About 10,000 Tons (Building)
- SS Kildonan Castle :- 9.688 Tons
- SS Durham Castle :- 8,239 Tons
- SS Dunluce Castle :- 8,130 Tons
- SS Gloucester Castle :- 7,999 Tons
- SS Guildford Castle :- 7,995 Tons
- SS Garrth Castle :- 7,715 Tons
- SS Sandgate Castle :- 7,634 Tons
- SS Grantully Castle :- 7,612 Tons
- SS Sandown Castle :- 7.607 Tons
- SS Chepstow Castle :- 7,494 Tons
- SS Ripley Castle :- 7,446 Tons
- SS Glengorm Castle :- 6,763 Tons
- SS Bampton Castle :- 6,698 Tons
- SS Bratton Castle :- 6,696 Tons
- SS Banbury Castle :- 6.429 Tons
- SS Carlow Castle :- 5,833 Tons
- SS Dundrum Castle :- 5,259 Tons
- SS Dromore Castle :- 5,242 Tons
- SS Crawford Castle :- 4.383 Tons
- SS Rovuma :- 1,239 Tons
- SS Eider :- 1,236 Tons
- SS Hansa :- 880 Tons
- SS Stork :- 278 Tons
- SS Koodoo :- 119 Tons
July 1939 Union Castle Line Fleet List. GGA Image ID # 1da2d72758
1939 Union-Castle Line Passenger Ship Fleet
- Capetown Castle 27,000 Tons
- Athlone Castle 25,564 Tons
- Stirling Castle 25,550 Tons
- Carnarvon Castle 20,122 Tons
- Warwick Castle 20,107 Tons
- Winchester Castle 20,012 Tons
- Windsor Castle 19,141
- Arundel Castle 19,118
- Pretoria Castle 17,392
- Durban Castle 17,388
- Dunnottar Castle 15,007
- Dunvegan Castle 15,007
- Edinburgh Castle 13,329
- Llangibby Castle 11,951
- Llanstephan Castle 11,348
- Llandaff Castle 10,799
- Llandovery Castle 10,640
- Dunbar Castle 10,002
- Dunluce Castle 8,131
- Gloucester Castle 8,006
- Stork (Steam Tender) 278
- Falcon (Launch) 41
6. Union-Castle Line Royal Mail Services
The South African Royal Mail Steamers are dispatched from Southampton every Friday for the Cape Province and Natal via Madeira. On the outward journey, the Royal Mail Steamers proceed as far as Durban, at which Port they commence the homeward voyage, sailing thence every Thursday, from East London every Friday, from Algoa Bay (Port Elizabeth) every Saturday, arriving at Capetown usually on Monday morning, and proceeding thence to Southampton, via Madeira, on the Friday.
Passengers landing at Madeira may enjoy a very interesting excursion to Terreiro da Lucta on the Mount Railway Company's trains, which take half an hour to make the trip. Tickets may be obtained from the Purser.
The Mail Service to St. Helena and Ascension is performed by the Intermediate Steamers, which call at these Islands, Outward and Homeward, approximately every four weeks.
Intermediate Service
The Intermediate Steamers, which take First and Third Class Passengers only at lower rates than the Royal Mail Steamers, are frequently dispatched from London for the Cape Province, Natal, Lourenco Marques (Delagoa Bay), and Beira. These Steamers proceed alternately via Las Palmas (Grand Canary) and Teneriffe.
Intermediate Steamers provide a homeward service from the Cape Ports, Durban, Lourenco, Marques, Beira, and Mauritius via Las Palmas or Teneriffe to London.
East Coast Service
During each three-month period, two Passenger Steamers are dispatched to East and South African ports via Suez, returning via the West Coast and Canary Islands. A similar service is provided to South Africa via the Canary Islands, returning via East Coast ports and Suez.
Mauritius Service
Steamers maintain the connection between England and Mauritius at specific intervals.
Lobito Service
Calls at Lobito are sometimes made on the outward and homeward voyage.
Handbook of Information for Passengers can be obtained gratis from the Purser on board.
The South and East African Year Book and Guide, nearly 1,000 pages with 64 pages of color maps, is on sale in the Hairdresser's Shop for 2/6.
Badges of Rank - Union-Castle Line Officers Insignia. SS Winchester Castle Passenger List, 9 December 1954. GGA Image ID # 1da49c7c90
7. Hotel and Railway Advertisements (Union-Castle Ephemera)
Advertisement for the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town Appearing in the 29 November 1929 Walmer Castle Passenger List. GGA Image ID # 1da2d57b5d
Advertisements for Mount Railway -- The Key to Madeira Scenery and the Esplanade and Belmonte Shore Excursions, July 1939. GGA Image ID # 1da2fc57c8
8. Recap and Summary of the Union-Castle Line Archival Collection
The Union-Castle Line was one of the most prestigious and essential British shipping companies operating between the United Kingdom and South & East Africa, offering passenger, freight, and Royal Mail services. Established in 1900 through the merger of the Union Line and the Castle Line, this shipping enterprise played a pivotal role in British colonial maritime history, transporting passengers, cargo, and mail across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
This archival collection offers a wealth of historical records, including passenger lists, passage contracts, menus, route maps, fleet information, and advertisements, making it an invaluable resource for teachers, students, genealogists, and historians studying ocean travel, British maritime history, and South African migration.
Most Interesting Highlights & Key Content
1. Passenger Lists: Tracing Migration & Travel (1911–1955)
The passenger lists provide detailed records of individuals who traveled between the UK and South Africa. These are particularly useful for:
- Genealogists tracing British, South African, or colonial ancestors.
- Historians studying British migration patterns, particularly those involving settlers, business professionals, and government officials moving to or from South Africa.
- Students and educators analyzing the impact of ocean travel on the economic and cultural exchange between Britain and its former colonies.
Notable passenger lists include:
- 1920-11-12 RMS Armadale Castle (Southampton to Natal)
- 1949-04-21 RMMV Capetown Castle (Southampton to Durban)
- 1950-03-31 RMS Edinburgh Castle (Capetown to Southampton)
- 1939-07-13 RMMV Stirling Castle (Southampton to Durban)
These passenger records serve as primary sources for studying colonial travel, business migration, and even wartime evacuations.
2. Passage Contracts & Tickets: The Reality of Ocean Travel (1904–1912)
These original passenger contracts and receipts offer a fascinating glimpse into the cost, conditions, and regulations of early 20th-century ocean travel.
Key documents include:
- 1904 SS Arundel Castle Passenger Ticket (Southampton to Cape Town, Third-Class)
- 1906 SS Walmer Castle Passage Contract (Southampton to Natal)
- 1907 SS Garka Passage Contract (Cape Town to England)
- 1912 SS Dunvegan Castle Passage Ticket (Port Said to Delagoa Bay)
These documents are essential for understanding economic and social class distinctions in maritime travel. They highlight:
- The difference between first-class luxury accommodations and steerage conditions for working-class emigrants.
- The importance of South Africa as a migration hub for British subjects and European settlers.
- The role of shipping in British colonial administration and labor migration.
3. Menus & Shipboard Life: A Taste of Elegance at Sea (1936–1955)
The dining menus from Union-Castle Line ships showcase the luxurious meals offered on long voyages, giving insight into culinary traditions aboard British liners.
The 1936 SS Dunluce Castle Dinner Menu featured gourmet dishes like Mignon of Beef Benjamin, Supreme of Turbot, and Junket aux Fraises Chantilly.
These menus provide insight into food availability, shipboard luxury, and British culinary influence in maritime travel.
This section is particularly valuable for:
- Cultural historians studying British dining customs at sea.
- Genealogists and researchers reconstructing the voyage experiences of ancestors.
- Food historians exploring maritime cuisine.
4. Route Maps & Voyage Charts: Maritime Trade & Exploration (1911–1950)
The track charts and route maps illustrate the key shipping lanes between Britain and Africa, covering:
- Madeira, Cape Town, Algoa Bay, East London, Port Elizabeth, and Durban.
- Intermediate stops at Mediterranean and West African ports.
These maps are especially useful for:
- Maritime historians studying British imperial trade routes.
- Students analyzing the geographic and economic significance of colonial shipping networks.
- Genealogists understanding the specific journeys taken by their ancestors.
5. Fleet Information: The Evolution of Steamships (1927–1939)
The Union-Castle Line operated some of the most famous steamships of the 20th century, transitioning from coal-powered ships to modern diesel motor vessels.
The 1927 Fleet List features early steamers like RMS Armadale Castle and SS Walmer Castle.
The 1939 Fleet List showcases massive passenger liners like Capetown Castle (27,000 tons) and Windsor Castle (19,141 tons).
This section helps maritime enthusiasts and historians explore:
- The transition from mail ships to luxury ocean liners.
- The growing size and technological advancements in 20th-century ocean travel.
- The impact of steamship advancements on the speed and efficiency of global trade.
6. Royal Mail Services & Intermediate Routes: The Importance of Communication (Early 1900s–1950s)
Union-Castle Line was not just a passenger service but a critical link in British imperial communication, operating Royal Mail Services to and from South Africa.
Mail steamers departed Southampton every Friday for Cape Town and Natal, ensuring a steady flow of correspondence and official communications.
The East African Coast Service extended the reach of British maritime power into the Indian Ocean, connecting with Mauritius and Madagascar.
Mauritius and Lobito services expanded trade and communication links with British and Portuguese territories.
This section is particularly useful for:
- Historians studying the role of steamships in colonial administration and trade.
- Researchers analyzing the importance of maritime mail services in maintaining British global influence.
- Students exploring the technological evolution of mail transport before the advent of air travel.
Why This Collection is Valuable
This archival collection provides an essential resource for multiple audiences:
- Teachers & Students: Offers a case study in British colonial trade, maritime commerce, and transatlantic migration, ideal for history and social studies curricula.
- Genealogists: The passenger lists, passage contracts, and ticket receipts offer primary sources for tracing family histories.
- Historians: Provides detailed insights into British shipping dominance, migration patterns, and ocean travel innovations.
- Maritime Enthusiasts: The fleet lists, technical specifications, and sea route maps offer a rich perspective on early 20th-century steamships.
