# British Tanker Company

British Tanker Company Limited was the maritime transport arm of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, the forerunner of BP. Formed in 1915 with an initial fleet of seven oil tankers, the British Tanker Company became the BP Tanker Company in 1955.

## History
### Early days

From the moment oil was discovered in Persia (now Iran) in May 1908, the issue arose of how best to ship it back to Britain. The Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) initially employed independent contractors; principally the Asiatic Petroleum Company, a subsidiary of Shell, to carry the oil by sea. In 1912 the company acquired its first ocean going ship, the SS Ferrara, a conventional freighter that carried oil products in metal cases. Tankers were unable to berth in Abadan owing to a natural sand bar off the coast known as the Shatt-al-Arab Bar, and often had to anchor up to 40 miles from the port. This meant oil had to be lightered out to the ships. Accordingly, APOC made two further shipping purchases, a barge Friesland and a tug Sirdar-i-Naphte. This situation remained until the mid 1920s when the bar was eventually dredged to allow ships direct access to the port.

### 1915 to 1945

However, the directors of APOC soon decided it would be better for the company to possess its own fleet of tankers. It set up the British Tanker Company Limited (BTC) in April 1915, with an initial capital of £100,000. The BTC placed orders with two Tyneside based shipbuilders, Armstrong Whitworth and Swan Hunter, for a total of seven steam-powered oil tankers. The names of the first ships bore the prefix British, and most future additions to the fleet followed the same naming convention. This acknowledged the fact that the British government had invested heavily in the fledgling company to ensure a supply of fuel oil for the Royal Navy.
BTC's first tanker was the 3,663 grt British Emperor, launched in 1916. She was employed to take oil from Abadan to the ports of Bombay, Karachi, Madras and Calcutta. She was the only BTC vessel not to be chartered by the Admiralty in World War I. Her career eventually ended in 1941, when she was sunk by the Pinguin, after evading all the Pinguin's attempts to capture her intact.
BTC's share capital was doubled to £200,000 in 1916, and further increased to £3,000,000 in November 1917.
In 1917 APOC made a successful offer to the British government for the assets of the former German-owned Benzin und Petroleum BP AG seized on the outbreak of war. This included the associate Petroleum Steamship Company (PSSC) whose 13 oil tankers passed into BTC ownership. The same year BTC was chosen by the Royal Navy to manage seven Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers, giving it management experience that proved valuable post-war. The PSSC, now a subsidiary of BTC, took over ownership of the locally manned and managed fleet of small craft operating at Abadan.
By 1919 the fleet had grown to 25 ships, a motley collection of new and second hand vessels including the Scandinavia, the only sailing ship ever operated by BTC.
Over the next decade, the demand for oil grew throughout the industrialised world, and BTC expanded its fleet accordingly. By 1924 the fleet numbered 60 vessels. The 60th ship was the new flagship, the 6,998 grt British Aviator. She was the BTC's first diesel engined oil tanker, and was at that time the most powerful single-screw motor ship in the world. A significant event was the signing of a contract with P&O in 1923 to supply bunkering facilities for the latter's ships.
The cargoes carried by BTC ships consisted of both crude oil and refined oil products; the main refined products being fuel oil, benzine and kerosine. During the 1920s the principal destination for BTC was the United Kingdom, which accounted for around half of all cargoes discharged. Twice as much crude oil was delivered to the United Kingdom as refined products, with most of the crude oil being taken to the newly established refineries at Llandarcy and Grangemouth. The next largest destination for BTC was India, receiving 14% of the total cargoes carried. Cargoes discharged in Europe increased steadily, and by 1928 accounted for 13% of the total. In 1928 BTC's fleet consisted of 80 seagoing tankers, five coastal vessels and four government owned steamers, with a further 13 seagoing tankers being chartered by the BTC.

#### The Depression

With the onset of the Great Depression in the early 1930s, the merchant navies around the world faced increasing unemployment. However, through a number of strategic mergers, as well as the continuing support of the Shah of Iran, APOC managed to strengthen its position within the industry, and the BTC's fleet continued to grow until the launch of British Energy in 1931 marked the end of the post-war fleet renewal. In 1932, APOC reached an agreement with Royal Dutch Shell to combine their UK domestic marketing and distribution networks. This involved the transfer of some ships to a jointly owned company, Shell-Mex & BP. With careful management BTC only laid up six ships for an average of six weeks between 1930 and 1935. In 1935, with the Depression receding, the company started placing orders with British shipyards for a further 24 ships. The same year, at the Shah's request, the company was renamed the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company.

#### Second World War

With the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, the British government chartered BTC's whole fleet of 93 vessels to transport fuel for its armed forces. In addition the company was made responsible for the management of requisitioned ships and American assistance tonnage. By 1942 the company had 146 ships under its control. The fleet lost 44 of its own ships and six managed ships sunk during the war, many during the Battle of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean U-Boat campaign, with two others so badly damaged they could only be used as storage hulks. In addition two ex-BTC tankers operated by Italian companies were sunk by British submarines while a third was sunk by RAF Coastal Command.

### 1945 to 1955

Within two years of peace in 1945, BTC had restored its fleet to its pre-war total of 93 ships. This included the purchase of 10 American wartime T2 tankers and three ex merchant aircraft carriers. The recovery was further bolstered by the building of 57 new tankers, each of 8,600 grt. These new ships increased the tonnage of oil transported from the Abadan refinery, but they remained within the limits imposed by the requirement to sail through the shallow waters of the Suez Canal. At this time the company decided that the old principle of owning 90% of its required tonnage was too onerous and that chartered vessels should be employed to make up the average 50% annual shortfall. To ease the problems of managing this large fleet an associated shipping company, the Lowland Tanker Company, was formed in association with Mathesons and Common Brothers of Newcastle to operate 10 time-chartered tankers exclusively for BTC.
In 1951 the situation changed dramatically, when Iran nationalised its oil industry. AIOC removed all its staff from the country, and for a while had no access to Iranian oil. AIOC set about forming new alliances with other oil producing countries, especially Kuwait and Bahrain. The crisis lead to a major emergency logistics operation being undertaken to reroute and repurpose the tanker fleet to cope with the loss of the refining capacity at Abadan. In addition the Petroleum Steamship Company's fleet of barges, tugs, lighters and ancillary craft was hastily evacuated to Basra and Kuwait.
In the early 1950s BTC began increasing the size of its deep-sea ships by building 13 so-called 'supertankers', each of 18,000 grt. These larger ships were particularly useful during the Suez crisis of 1956, which closed the Suez Canal and forced ships to sail around the Cape of South Africa, adding 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km) to their journey.
In November 1954 AIOC renamed itself the British Petroleum Company, and the BTC became the BP Tanker Company from 1 June 1956, British Soldier being the first ship turned out in the new company's colours.

## The ships
### Fleet list 1915 to 1945

| Ship | Built | GRT | Built by | Notes |
| Aras | 1893 | 3,210 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Purchased 1918. Sold 1930 and renamed Lina Campanella. Scrapped in 1950. |
| British Admiral | 1917 | 6,842 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1937. |
| British Advocate | 1922 | 6,994 | Sir James Laing & Sons | Captured 20 February 1941 by the Admiral Scheer and renamed Adolf, later renamed Nordstern. Sank 1944 during an air raid. |
| British Ambassador | 1924 | 6,940 | Sir James Laing & Sons | Scrapped in 1954. |
| British Architect | 1922 | 7,388 | Blythswood Shipbuilding | Scrapped in 1953. |
| British Ardour | 1928 | 7,124 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Sunk 5 April 1943 by torpedo from U-706 |
| British Aviator | 1924 | 6,998 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | First diesel engined vessel. Scrapped in 1953. |
| British Baron | 1908 | 4,906 | Armstrong Whitworth | ex PSSC Roumanian acquired 1917. Sold 1925 and renamed Norne. Resold 1928 and renamed Vincas. Scrapped in 1936. |
| British Beacon | 1918 | 6,891 | Workman, Clark & Co | Operated first for the Shipping Controller then after 1919 for the Admiralty. 1937 removed from management and renamed Olcades. Scrapped in 1948. |
| British Birch | 1916 | 5,882 | Short Brothers | Launched as RFA Oldbury, completed as RFA Birchleaf. Purchased and renamed British Birch in 1919. Scrapped in 1931. |
| British Bombardier | 1942 | 8202 | Harland & Wolff | Laid down as Empire Fusilier, launched as Empire Bombardier. Operated for the MoWT. Purchased 1946. Scrapped 1960. |
| British Bugler | 1945 | 3,766 | JL Thompson & Sons | Ex Empire Arrow operated for the MoWT. Purchased 1946. Sold 1957 and renamed Montmajour. Resold 1963 and renamed Mantinia. Scrapped in 1981. |
| British Captain | 1923 | 6,968 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Sunk 2 December 1941 by mine |
| British Cavalier | 1942 | 9,891 | Sir James Laing & Sons | ex Empire Cavalier operated for the MoWT. Purchased 1945. Scrapped in 1959. |
| British Chancellor | 1921 | 7,086 | Sir James Laing & Sons | Sold 1952 and renamed Wanmas. Then sold 1954 and renamed Viva. Finally sold 1955 and renamed Gaaton. Scrapped in 1963. |
| British Character | 1941 | 8,453 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1959. |
| British Chemist | 1925 | 6,997 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Scrapped in 1953. |
| British Chivalry | 1929 | 7,118 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Sunk 22 February 1944 by torpedo from Japanese submarine I-37 |
| British Colonel | 1921 | 6,999 | Sir James Laing & Sons | Scrapped in 1953. |
| British Colony | 1927 | 6,917 | Swan Hunter | Sunk 13 May 1942 by torpedo from U-162 |
| British Commander | 1922 | 6,896 | Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company | Sunk 26 August 1940 by the Pinguin |
| British Commando | 1942 | 8,194 | Harland & Wolff | Ex Empire Chapman operated for the MoWT. Purchased 1946, Scrapped in 1959. |
| British Commerce | 1922 | 4,205 | William Beardmore & Company | Scrapped in 1937. |
| British Commodore | 1923 | 6,865 | Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company | Scrapped in 1953. |
| British Confidence | 1936 | 8,494 | Cammell Laird | Renamed Anglian Confidence in 1957. Scrapped in 1958. |
| British Consul | 1924 | 6,940 | Sir James Laing & Sons | Sunk 19 August 1942 by torpedo from U-564 |
| British Corporal | 1922 | 6,972 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Requisitioned by the MoWT in 1940 and renamed Empire Corporal. Sunk 18 August 1942 by torpedo from U-598 |
| British Councillor | 1922 | 7,045 | Sir James Laing & Sons | Sunk 3 February 1940 by mine |
| British Courage | 1928 | 6,952 | Lithgows | Scrapped in 1953. |
| British Destiny | 1937 | 8,470 | Harland & Wolff | Renamed Gaelic Destiny in 1957. Scrapped in 1958. |
| British Diligence | 1937 | 8,408 | Swan Hunter | Renamed Anglian Diligence in 1957. Scrapped in 1958. |
| British Diplomat | 1926 | 6,484 | John Brown & Company | Requisitioned by the MoWT in 1940 and renamed Empire Diplomat. Laid up in 1944 and scrapped in 1946. |
| British Dominion | 1928 | 6,983 | Swan Hunter | Sunk 10 January 1943 by torpedo from U-620 while sailing in Convoy TM 1 |
| British Dragoon | 1943 | 9,909 | Sir James Laing & Sons | ex Empire Alliance operated for the MoWT. Purchased 1945. Scrapped in 1962. |
| British Drummer | 1944 | 3,758 | JL Thompson & Sons | ex Empire Ensign operated for the MoWT. Purchased 1946. Sold 1957 and renamed Anella. Resold 1958 and renamed Norse Commander. Scrapped in 1966. |
| British Duchess | 1924 | 5,973 | JL Thompson & Sons | Sold 1952 and renamed Duchess. Scrapped in 1959. |
| British Duke | 1899 | 3,645 | Sir James Laing & Sons | ex PSSC Terek acquired 1917. Sold to Italy 1930 and renamed Laura Corado. Sunk 30 March 1941 by torpedo from HMS Rorqual |
| British Earl | 1901 | 6,288 | Armstrong Whitworth | ex PSSC Pinna acquired 1917. Sold to Italy 1929. Scuttled 1940 but refloated and taken over by the US Government. Renamed Orissa, scrapped in 1950. |
| British Emperor | 1916 | 3,637 | Armstrong Whitworth | First ship built for BTC. Sunk 7 May 1941 by the Pinguin |
| British Empress | 1917 | 6,847 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1936. |
| British Endeavour | 1927 | 4,580 | Armstrong Whitworth | Sunk 22 February 1940 by torpedo from U-50 |
| British Endurance | 1936 | 8,406 | Swan Hunter | 1959 sold and renamed Redwijs II. Scrapped in 1959. |
| British Energy | 1931 | 7,209 | Greenock Dockyard Company | Damaged in an air-raid at Birkenhead in 1940. Scrapped in 1955. |
| British Engineer | 1922 | 6,993 | Workman, Clark & Co | Sold 1952 and renamed Emily. Resold 1954 and renamed Yarkon. Scrapped in 1959. |
| British Ensign | 1917 | 7,048 | Armstrong Whitworth | Scrapped in 1937. |
| British Enterprise | 1921 | 4,204 | William Beardmore & Company | Scrapped in 1936. |
| British Faith | 1928 | 6,950 | Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company | Scrapped at Milford Haven in 1956 |
| British Fame | 1936 | 8,303 | Swan Hunter | Represented the company at the 1937 Review of the Fleet off Spithead. Sunk 12 August 1940 by torpedo from Italian submarine Alessandro Malaspina |
| British Fern | 1917 | 5,831 | Napier & Miller | Built as Fernleaf. Purchased 1920. Scrapped in 1931. |
| British Fidelity | 1938 | 8,465 | Harland & Wolff | 1957 renamed Gaelic Fidelity. Scrapped in 1958. |
| British Fortitude | 1937 | 8,482 | Cammell Laird | Damaged 23 February 1943 by torpedo from U-202, but survived. 1957 renamed Anglian Fortitude. Scrapped in 1958. |
| British Fortune | 1930 | 4,696 | Lithgows | Sunk 31 October 1941 by German aircraft |
| British Freedom | 1928 | 6,985 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Sunk 14 January 1945 by torpedo from U-1232 |
| British Fusilier | 1923 | 6,943 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1953. |
| British General | 1893 | 3.245 | Armstrong Whitworth | ex Georgian Prince acquired 1918. Sold to Spain 1922 and renamed Ebros. Scrapped 1940. |
| British General | 1922 | 6,985 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Sunk 7 October 1940 by torpedo from U-37 |
| British Genius | 1939 | 8,553 | William Doxford & Sons | Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Glory | 1928 | 6,993 | Sir James Laing & Sons | Damaged 15 October 1940 by torpedo from U-138, but survived. Scrapped in 1954. |
| British Governor | 1926 | 6,840 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1953. |
| British Gratitude | 1942 | 8,463 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1959. |
| British Grenadier | 1922 | 6,888 | Swan Hunter | Sunk 22 May 1941 by torpedo from U-103 |
| British Guardsman | 1942 | 8,128 | Swan Hunter | Ex Empire Garrick operated for the MoWT. Purchased 1945. Sold 1951 and renamed Alan Evelyn. Resold in 1955 and renamed Westbrook. Scrapped in 1960. |
| British Gunner | 1922 | 6,894 | Swan Hunter | Sunk 24 February 1941 by torpedo from U-97 |
| British Harmony | 1941 | 8,453 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1960. |
| British Holly | 1917 | 5,162 | William Hamilton & Company | Scrapped in 1931 |
| British Honour | 1928 | 6,991 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | 1953 sold and renamed Marisin M. 1957 renamed Mario Martini. Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Hope | 1928 | 6,951 | Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company | Scrapped in 1957. |
| British Hussar | 1923 | 6,944 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1953. |
| British Industry | 1927 | 4,297 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Scrapped in 1953. |
| British Influence | 1939 | 8,431 | Swan Hunter | Sunk 14 September 1939 by torpedo and gunfire from U-29 |
| British Integrity | 1937 | 8,412 | Harland & Wolff | 1957 renamed Gaelic Integrity. Scrapped in 1958. |
| British Inventor | 1926 | 7,101 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Sunk 13 June 1940 by mine |
| British Isles | 1917 | 7,108 | Armstrong Whitworth | Scrapped in 1938 |
| British Judge | 1921 | 6,735 | Sir James Laing & Sons | Scrapped in 1953. |
| British Justice | 1928 | 6,982 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Scrapped in 1954. |
| British Knight | 1908 | 4,762 | Swan Hunter | ex PSSC Danubian acquired 1917. Sold 1929 and renamed Sanvik then sold again 1938 and renamed Arrivabene. Wrecked 1940. |
| British Lady | 1923 | 6,098 | JL Thompson & Sons | Sold to the Admiralty in 1939 and scrapped in 1946 |
| British Lancer | 1942 | 9,891 | Sir James Laing & Sons | Ex Empire Wordsworth operated for the MoWT. Purchased 1945. Scrapped 1960. |
| British Lantern | 1918 | 6,897 | Workman, Clark & Co | Taken over by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 1937 as RFA Oligarch. Survived the War but was scuttled in the Red Sea in 1945. |
| British Liberty | 1939 | 8,435 | Furness Shipbuilding Company | Sunk 6 January 1940 by mine |
| British Light | 1917 | 6,470 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Managed for the Shipping Controller. 1919 transferred to the Admiralty. 1937 removed from management and renamed Olwen. Sold 1949 and renamed Mushtari. Scrapped in 1960. |
| British Lord | 1922 | 6,098 | JL Thompson & Sons | Scrapped in 1953. |
| British Loyalty | 1928 | 6,993 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese midget submarine in Diego-Suarez on 30 May 1942. Later refloated and repaired. Sunk 9 March 1944 by torpedo from U-183, but salvaged as a hulk. Scrapped in 1946. |
| British Major | 1913 | 4,147 | Tyne Iron Shipbuilding Co, Newcastle | ex Roumanian Prince acquired 1918. Sold to Italy 1929 and renamed Riva Sicular. Scrapped in 1933. |
| British Maple | 1898 | 8,747 | CS Swan & Hunter, Wallsend | Built as Mount Royal, renamed Mapleleaf in 1916. Acquired 1919 & renamed British Maple in 1920. Hulked in 1933 and scrapped in 1935. |
| British Mariner | 1922 | 6,996 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Severely damaged 20 October 1941 by torpedo from U-126, but salvaged and used as a hulk. 1947 sold, repaired and renamed Tex-Africa. Scrapped in 1951. |
| British Marquis | 1908 | 4,997 | Sir James Laing & Sons | ex PSSC Servian acquired 1917. 1930 sold and renamed Conte di Misurata. Sunk by gunfire in 1941. |
| British Marshall | 1912 | 4,158 | Tyne Iron Shipbuilding Co, Newcastle | ex Russian Prince acquired 1918. Sold to Italy 1929 and renamed Tritone. Scrapped 1933. |
| British Merchant | 1922 | 6,994 | William Beardmore & Company | Scrapped in 1949. |
| British Merit | 1942 | 8,093 | Harland & Wolff | Damaged 25 July 1942 by torpedo from German submarine U-552, but survived. Scrapped in 1960. |
| British Might | 1945 | 8,200 | Harland & Wolff | Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Motorist | 1924 | 6,891 | Swan Hunter | Sunk 19 February 1942 by Japanese aircraft |
| British Officer | 1922 | 6,990 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Sunk 1 December 1940 by mine. |
| British Patience | 1943 | 8,097 | Harland & Wolff | Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Peer | 1908 | 4,920 | Armstrong Whitworth | ex PSSC Carpathian acquired 1917. Sold to Italy 1930 and renamed Tampico. Torpedoed 1941 and scuttled 1945. |
| British Petrol | 1925 | 6,906 | Swan Hunter | Sunk 14 June 1940 by the German auxiliary cruiser Widder |
| British Pluck | 1928 | 1,025 | Swan Hunter | Transferred to Shell-Mex & BP and renamed Shelbrit 1 in 1936. Sank after hiiting a mine 19 Sep 1940 |
| British Power | 1936 | 8,451 | Harland & Wolff | Scrapped in 1958. |
| British Premier | 1922 | 5,872 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Sunk 24 December 1940 by torpedo from U-65 |
| British Prestige | 1931 | 7,106 | Lithgows | Scrapped in 1956. |
| British Pride | 1931 | 7,106 | Lithgows | Scrapped in 1955. |
| British Princess | 1917 | 7,019 | Armstrong Whitworth | 1946 renamed British Veteran. Scrapped in 1949. |
| British Progress | 1927 | 4,581 | Armstrong Whitworth | Scrapped 4 November 1943 after being severely damaged by torpedo from a German E-Boat |
| British Promise | 1942 | 8,443 | Cammell Laird | Damaged 21 November 1942 by torpedo from U-518, but survived. Scrapped in 1959. |
| British Prudence | 1939 | 8,620 | Sir James Laing & Sons | Sunk 23 March 1942 by torpedo from U-754 |
| British Purpose | 1943 | 5,845 | Furness Shipbuilding Company | Damaged 20 October 1943 by torpedo from U-532, but survived. 1959 sold and renamed Annella. Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Reliance | 1928 | 7,000 | Greenock Dockyard Company | Sunk 2 April 1941 by torpedo from U-46 |
| British Renown | 1928 | 6,997 | Sir James Laing & Sons | Damaged 21 November 1942 by torpedo from U-518, but survived. Scrapped in 1954. |
| British Resolution | 1937 | 8,408 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1959. |
| British Resource | 1931 | 7,209 | Greenock Dockyard Company | Sunk 15 March 1942 by torpedo from U-124 |
| British Respect | 1943 | 8,479 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1959. |
| British Restraint | 1943 | 8,448 | Cammell Laird | Scrapped in 1959. |
| British Rose | 1916 | 6,572 | Sir Raylton Dixon & Co | Ordered as the Rona but taken over on the stocks and launched as RFA Califol. Transferred to the Shipping Controller and renamed Roseleaf. Purchased 1920. Sold 1930 and renamed Portofino. Bombed and sunk by RAF aircraft in 1942. |
| British Sailor | 1918 | 5,576 | Swan Hunter | Ex War Rajah purchased 1920. 1951 sold and renamed Viva. Scrapped in 1954. |
| British Science | 1931 | 7,138 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Sunk 18 April 1941 by torpedo from Italian aircraft |
| British Scout | 1922 | 1,507 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1957. |
| British Security | 1937 | 8,470 | Harland & Wolff | Sunk 23 May 1941 by torpedo from U-566 |
| British Sergeant | 1922 | 5,868 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Sunk 9 April 1942 by Japanese aircraft |
| British Sincerity | 1939 | 8,533 | Cammell Laird | Scrapped in 1958. |
| British Soldier | 1918 | 5,564 | William Gray & Co | Ex War Sikh, purchased 1919. Sold 1952 and renamed Marina. 1954 resold and renamed Romano. 1959 resold and renamed Menora. Scrapped in 1959. |
| British Sovereign | 1917 | 3,657 | Armstrong Whitworth | Scrapped in 1951. |
| British Splendour | 1931 | 7,138 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Sunk 7 April 1942 by torpedo from U-552 |
| British Star | 1918 | 6,888 | Swan Hunter | Managed for the Shipping Controller then transferred to the Admiralty in 1919. Removed from management in 1937 and renamed Olynthus. Sold to Itakl 1949 and renamed Pensilvania. Scrapped in 1959. |
| British Statesman | 1923 | 6,991 | Sir James Laing & Sons | Scrapped in 1963. |
| British Strength | 1931 | 7,139 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | The last ship built by Palmers. Sunk 15 March 1941 by German battleship Scharnhorst or Gneisenau |
| British Tenacity | 1939 | 8,439 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1959. |
| British Thrift | 1928 | 707 | Swan Hunter | Renamed Thriftie in 1935, then Shelbrit 2 in 1936. 1943 sold to Shell-Mex & BP and renamed Shell Loader. Sold 1961 and renamed Amphitrite. Scrapped 1984. |
| British Tommy | 1921 | 1,411 | Lithgows | Scrapped in 1946. |
| British Trader | 1921 | 4,204 | William Beardmore & Company | Sold in 1953 and renamed Flisvos. 1954 resold and renamed Manco Capac. Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Tradition | 1942 | 8,443 | Cammell Laird | Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Triumph | 1936 | 8,402 | Lithgows | Sunk 13 February 1940 by mine |
| British Trust | 1939 | 8,466 | Harland & Wolff | Sunk 1 May 1943 by torpedo from German aircraft |
| British Union | 1927 | 6,987 | Swan Hunter | Sunk 18 January 1941 by the Kormoran |
| British Unity | 1939 | 8,407 | Lithgows | Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Valour | 1927 | 6,952 | Lithgows | Scrapped in 1954. |
| British Venture | 1930 | 4,696 | Lithgows | Sunk 24 June 1943 by torpedo, from Japanese submarine I-27 |
| British Vigilance | 1942 | 8,093 | Harland & Wolff | Sunk 24 January 1943 by torpedo from U-105 |
| British Vigour | 1943 | 5,844 | Furness Shipbuilding Company | The first vessel with a welded hull. Sold in 1959 and renamed Thoronet. Scrapped in 1964. |
| British Vine | 1901 | 7,474 | Swan Hunter | Launched as the Patrician. In 1914 acquired by the Admiralty and converted to the dummy battleship HMS Invincible. In 1915 she was fitted with oil tanks and transferred to the RFA as the RFA Tarakol. Transferred to the Shipping Controller in 1917 and renamed Vineleaf. Purchased 1919. Sold in 1923 and renamed Busen. Scrapped in 1935. |
| British Virtue | 1945 | 8,500 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1962 |
| British Viscount | 1880 | 3,287 | Oswald, Mordaunt & Co, Southampton | Ex Rock Light acquired 1917. Sunk 23 February 1918 by torpedo from U-91 |
| British Viscount | 1921 | 6,895 | Swan Hunter | Sunk 3 April 1941 by torpedo from U-73 |
| British Wisdom | 1945 | 8,130 | Blythswood Shipbuilding | Scrapped in 1962. |
| British Workman | 1922 | 6,994 | Workman, Clark & Co | Sunk 3 May 1942 by torpedo from U-455 |
| British Yeoman | 1923 | 6,990 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Sunk 15 July 1942 by torpedo from U-201 |
| British Zeal | 1937 | 8,532 | Lithgows | Damaged 31 December 1940 by torpedo from U-65, but survived. Sold 1958 and renamed Redwijs I. Scrapped in 1959 |
| Empire Gem | 1941 | 8,139 | Harland & Wolff | Operated for the MoWT. Torpedoed and sunk 24 January 1941 by U-66. |
| Empire Metal | 1942 | 8,201 | Harland & Wolff | Operated for the MoWT. Sunk 2 January 1943 by air attack. |
| Eupion | 1914 | 3575 | Mackay Brothers | Sunk 3 Oct 1918 by torpedo from UB-90 |
| Ferrara | 1880 | 1,175 | Robert Steele & Company | Taken over from parent company in 1915. Sold to India 1923 and gutted by fire later the same year. |
| Josefina Thorden | 1932 | 6,620 | Eriksberg Mekaniske Verkstad | Operated for the MoWT 1941. Mined and sunk 6 Apr 1943. |
| Kura | 1889 | 2,391 | Armstrong & Mitchell Co | Purchased 1918, sold 1924 to Italy and renamed Persiano. Sunk by torpedo from HMS Tetrarch in 1941 |
| Kerman | 1907 | 4,397 | Flensburger Schiffsbouw Ges., Flensburg | Ex Furth. A second freighter acquired in 1915 after capture by the Royal Navy to carry cased oil. 1920 sold and renamed Sultania. Scrapped in 1933. |
| Khuzistan | 1924 | 871 | Amble Shipbuilding Company | Freighter adapted to carry cased oil. Sold 1953 and renamed Effigyny. Scrapped in 1959. |
| Melpomene | 1923 | 7,011 | Ateliers & Chantiers De La Gironde, Bordeaux | Operated for the MoWT. Sunk 5 March 1942 by torpedo from the Italian submarine Giuseppe Finzi. |
| Mexican Prince | 1893 | 3028 | Swan Hunter | Acquired 1918. Sold 1919 and renamed Southern Isles. Resold 1930 and renamed Silva Porto. Scrapped in 1937. |
| Oltania II | 1928 | 6,394 | Armstrong Whitworth | Operated for the MoWT. Sunk 8 January 1943 by torpedo from U-436. |
| Rion | 1889 | 2,186 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Purchased 1918, sold 1924 and renamed Italiano. Resold 1925 and renamed Federico Garolla, sank after an explosion at sea in 1930 |
| Saint Patrice | | | | Acquired and disposed of in 1922. |
| Suram | 1893 | 2,186 | Sir James Laing & Sons | Purchased 1918, sold and renamed Bithnia 1920, scrapped in 1931. |
| Scandinavia | 1905 | 456 | N. V. Werf V. Rijkee & Company, Rotterdam | Schooner, the only sailing vessel in the BTC fleet. Acquired 1917. Scrapped in 1923 after being wrecked at Portland |
| Taraqqi | 1930 | 388 | G. Brown & Company, Greenock | Coaster adapted to carry cased oil. Sold in 1955. Resold in 1967 and again in 1973 and renamed Tara Q. Deleted from Lloyd's Register in 1998. |
| War Nawab | 1919 | 5,586 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Operated for the Shipping Controller. Transferred to Admiralty in 1921, then to RFA in 1936, scrapped 1958. |
| War Nizam | 1918 | 5,605 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Operated for the Shipping Controller. Transferred to Admiralty in 1921, then to RFA in 1937, scrapped 1949. |
| War Sudra | 1920 | 5,599 | Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Company | Operated for the Shipping Controller. Transferred to Admiralty in 1921. Sold 1948, renamed Germaine in 1951, scrapped 1954. |

### Fleet list 1945 to 1956

| Ship | Built | GRT | Built by | Notes |
| Beecher Island | 1944 | 10,668 | Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company | T2 tanker purchased 1947, scrapped in 1959. |
| British Admiral | 1947 | 8,378 | Furness Shipbuilding Company | Scrapped in 1962. |
| British Adventure | 1951 | 18,573 | Vickers Armstrong | The first "Supertanker". Sold 1973 and renamed Vrahos. Scrapped 1975. |
| British Advocate | 1948 | 8,573 | Lithgows | Scrapped in 1962. |
| British Ardour | 1949 | 8,616 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1962. |
| British Baron | 1947 | 8,556 | Cammell Laird | Scrapped in 1962. |
| British Birch | 1951 | 8,688 | Sir James Laing & Sons | Scrapped in 1964. |
| British Builder | 1951 | 8,699 | William Doxford & Sons | Scrapped in 1963. |
| British Bulldog | 1951 | 18,593 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1972. |
| British Captain | 1949 | 8,700 | Harland & Wolff | Scrapped in 1962. |
| British Caution | 1945 | 8,552 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Chancellor | 1954 | 11,356 | Blythswood Shipbuilding | Transferred to BP Clyde Tanker Co in 1961 and renamed Clyde Chancellor. In 1964 reverted to BP Tanker Company and resumed original name. Scrapped in 1972. |
| British Chivalry | 1949 | 11,217 | Blythswood Shipbuilding | Transferred to BP Clyde Tanker Co in 1958 and renamed Clyde Chivalry. In 1963 reverted to BP Tanker Company and resumed original name. Scrapped in 1972. |
| British Commander | 1950 | 8,655 | Harland & Wolff | Scrapped in 1962. |
| British Commerce | 1946 | 6,092 | William Doxford & Sons | Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Consul | 1950 | 8,655 | Harland & Wolff | Scrapped in 1963. |
| British Corporal | 1954 | 10,071 | Harland & Wolff | Transferred to BP Clyde Tanker Co in 1957 and renamed Clyde Corporal. In 1964 reverted to BP Tanker Company and resumed original name. Scrapped in 1972. |
| British Councillor | 1948 | 8,573 | Lithgows | Scrapped in 1967. |
| British Craftsman | 1951 | 8,697 | William Doxford & Sons | Scrapped in 1964. |
| British Crown | 1952 | 18,570 | Cammell Laird | Scrapped in 1966 after an explosion and fire. |
| British Crusader | 1954 | 11,346 | Cammell Laird | Transferred to BP Clyde Tanker Co in 1957 and renamed Clyde Crusader. In 1964 reverted to BP Tanker Company and resumed original name. Scrapped in 1972. |
| British Defender | 1950 | 6,138 | William Doxford & Sons | Sold 1965 and renamed El Flamingo. 1969 rebuilt as a suction dredger. Scrapped in 1982. |
| British Diplomat | 1950 | 6,155 | William Doxford & Sons | Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Duke | 1948 | 8,562 | Cammell Laird | Scrapped in 1962. |
| British Earl | 1946 | 8,745 | Swan Hunter | Hit a mine off Denmark in 1947 which required major repairs. Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Empress | 1947 | 8,745 | Furness Shipbuilding Company | Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Endeavour | 1949 | 8,589 | R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie & Company | Scrapped in 1962. |
| British Engineer | 1954 | 21,077 | Harland & Wolff | 1972 sold and renamed Petrola V. Scrapped in 1976. |
| British Ensign | 1947 | 8,738 | Furness Shipbuilding Company | Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Enterprise | 1946 | 6,095 | William Doxford & Sons | Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Envoy | 1953 | 11,349 | William Doxford & Sons | Transferred to BP Clyde Tanker Co in 1958 and renamed Clyde Envoy. In 1963 reverted to BP Tanker Company and resumed original name. Scrapped in 1970. |
| British Escort | 1943 | 8,908 | Swan Hunter | Laid down as British Virtue but taken over by the MoWT and launched as the merchant aircraft carrier Empire MacCabe. Purchased and renamed in 1946. Scrapped in 1962. |
| British Explorer | 1950 | 8,644 | Harland & Wolff | Transferred to BP Clyde Tanker Co in 1958 and renamed Clyde Explorer. Scrapped in 1964. |
| British Fame | 1949 | 11,203 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1971. |
| British Fern | 1947 | 8,582 | Sir James Laing & Sons | Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Flag | 1953 | 11,327 | R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie & Company | Scrapped in 1971. |
| British Fortune | 1949 | 6,108 | William Doxford & Sons | Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Freedom | 1950 | 11,207 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1972. |
| British General | 1950 | 8,775 | Furness Shipbuilding Company | Scrapped in 1964. |
| British Guardian | 1953 | 11,359 | Lithgows | Transferred to BP Clyde Tanker Co in 1958 and renamed Clyde Guardian. In 1963 reverted to BP Tanker Company and resumed original name. Scrapped in 1972. |
| British Guide | 1951 | 8,778 | Furness Shipbuilding Company | Scrapped in 1963 after being in collision with Ocean Enterprise. |
| British Gunner | 1954 | 10,076 | Harland & Wolff | Transferred to BP Clyde Tanker Co in 1961 and renamed Clyde Gunner. In 1964 reverted to BP Tanker Company and resumed original name. Scrapped in 1972. |
| British Hero | 1954 | 11,358 | Lithgows | Scrapped in 1972. |
| British Holly | 1946 | 8,582 | Sir James Laing & Sons | Scrapped in 1964. |
| British Isles | 1947 | 8,738 | Furness Shipbuilding Company | Scrapped in 1962. |
| British Knight | 1946 | 8,629 | Harland & Wolff | Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Lady | 1951 | 6,140 | Smiths Dock Company. | Scrapped in 1963. |
| British Liberty | 1949 | 8,589 | William Doxford & Sons | Scrapped in 1964. |
| British Loyalty | 1949 | 8,592 | William Doxford & Sons | Scrapped in 1967. |
| British Major | 1946 | 8,564 | William Doxford & Sons | Scrapped in 1962. |
| British Maple | 1951 | 8,686 | Sir James Laing & Sons | Scrapped in 1965. |
| British Mariner | 1948 | 8,576 | Harland & Wolff | Scrapped in 1962 after colliding with and sinking the Palmyra off Ushant. |
| British Marquis | 1946 | 8,563 | William Doxford & Sons | Scrapped in 1962. |
| British Marshall | 1946 | 8,582 | William Doxford & Sons | Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Merchant | 1954 | 21,064 | Swan Hunter | 1973 sold and renamed Petrola VII. 1976 resold and renamed Petrola 7. Scrapped in 1978. |
| British Navigator | 1951 | 6,135 | JL Thompson & Sons | Scrapped in 1964. |
| British Oak | 1953 | 11,307 | Smiths Dock Company | Scrapped in 1972. |
| British Officer | 1954 | 11,362 | William Hamilton and Company, Glasgow | Scrapped in 1973. |
| British Patriot | 1950 | 8,661 | Lithgows | Scrapped in 1963. |
| British Patrol | 1954 | 11,380 | Swan Hunter | 1973 sold and renamed Maripatrol. 1980 resold and renamed Nona Maro. Suffered a fire and explosion at Flushing in 1980. Scrapped in 1981 |
| British Peer | 1950 | 8,661 | Lithgows | Scrapped in 1963. |
| British Pilot | 1943 | 9,133 | Laird, Son & Co., Birkenhead | Laid down as British Caution but taken over by the MoWT and launched as the merchant aircraft carrier Empire MacColl. Purchased and renamed in 1946. Scrapped in 1962 |
| British Pioneer | 1951 | 8,651 | Blythswood Shipbuilding Company, Glasgow | Transferred to BP Clyde Tanker Co in 1958 and renamed Clyde Pioneer. Scrapped in 1965. |
| British Piper | 1945 | 8,238 | Harland & Wolff | Laid down as Empire Grenada but completed for BTC in 1946. Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Pluck | 1945 | 930 | Harland & Wolff | Ex Empire Tesella. Managed for MoWT. Purchased 1951 and scrapped in 1954. |
| British Premier | 1951 | 8,661 | Lithgows | Scrapped in 1964. |
| British Princess | 1946 | 8,582 | Sir James Laing & Sons | The ship was launched by Elizabeth II. Scrapped in 1962. |
| British Progress | 1948 | 8,577 | Blythswood Shipbuilding Company, Glasgow | Scrapped in 1963. |
| British Prospector | 1950 | 8,655 | Harland & Wolff | Transferred to BP Clyde Tanker Co in 1958 and renamed Clyde Prospector. Scrapped in 1964. |
| British Prudence | 1949 | 8,577 | Blythswood Shipbuilding Company, Glasgow | Scrapped in 1966. |
| British Ranger | 1948 | 8,575 | Harland & Wolff | Transferred to BP Clyde Tanker Co in 1957 and renamed Clyde Ranger. Scrapped in 1963. |
| British Realm | 1952 | 18,571 | Fairfield Compan | Scrapped in 1970. |
| British Reliance | 1950 | 11,201 | Sir James Laing & Sons | 1973 sold and renamed Bangor Bay. 1974 resold and renamed Ocean Princess. Scrapped in 1975. |
| British Resource | 1949 | 11,200 | R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie & Company | Scrapped in 1972. |
| British Rover | 1951 | 6,137 | JL Thompson & Sons | 1961 sold and renamed Makeni Palm. 1967 resold and renamed Kerkennah. 1971 renamed Palau. Scrapped in 1976. |
| British Rose | 1946 | 6,101 | JL Thompson & Sons | Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Sailor | 1953 | 20.961 | John Brown & Company, Clydebank | 1972 sold and renamed Marisira. 1974 resold and renamed Fagr. Scrapped in 1980. |
| British Scientist | 1948 | 8,545 | Cammell Laird | Transferred to BP Clyde Tanker Co in 1957 and renamed Clyde Scientist. Scrapped in 1963. |
| British Seafarer | 1951 | 11,220 | R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie & Company | Scrapped in 1973. |
| British Sergeant | 1954 | 10,073 | Harland & Wolff | Transferred to BP Clyde Tanker Co in 1960 and renamed Clyde Sergeant. In 1963 reverted to BP Tanker Company and resumed original name. Scrapped in 1972. |
| British Security | 1948 | 8,583 | Harland & Wolff | Sold 1966 and renamed Mana. Resold 1967 and renamed Ypatia. Wrecked off Mozambique in 1968 and scrapped in 1969. |
| British Skill | 1952 | 18,550 | Harland & Wolff | Scrapped in 1972. |
| British Soldier | 1954 | 21,082 | John Brown & Company, Clydebank | 1972 Sold and renamed Maribruna. Scrapped in 1976. |
| British Sovereign | 1954 | 21,138 | Vickers-Armstrong | 1972 sold and renamed Petrola VI. 1976 renamed Petrola 6. Scrapped in 1977. |
| British Splendour | 1950 | 11,233 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1972. |
| British Sportsman | 1951 | 11,231 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1972. |
| British Strength | 1948 | 8,580 | Harland & Wolff | Scrapped in 1966. |
| British Success | 1945 | 8,215 | Blythswood Shipbuilding | Laid up 1957. Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Supremacy | 1945 | 8,242 | Harland & Wolff | The first of the post-war ships. Scrapped 1962. |
| British Surveyor | 1950 | 8,655 | Harland & Wolff | Transferred to BP Clyde Tanker Co in 1961 and renamed Clyde Surveyor. Scrapped in 1964. |
| British Swordfish | 1943 | 8,908 | Harland & Wolff | Laid down as British Wisdom but taken over by the MoWT and launched as the merchant aircraft carrier Empire MacKay. Purchased and renamed in 1946. Scrapped in 1959. |
| British Talent | 1952 | 18,593 | R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie & Company | Scrapped in 1972. |
| British Triumph | 1949 | 8,640 | Cammell Laird | Scrapped in 1956. |
| British Trust | 1950 | 8,640 | Cammell Laird | Transferred to BP Clyde Tanker Co in 1957 and renamed Clyde Inventor. Scrapped in 1963. |
| British Union | 1950 | 8,663 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1962. |
| British Venture | 1948 | 6,119 | JL Thompson & Sons | Scrapped in 1961. |
| British Victory | 1955 | 21,153 | Vickers-Armstrong | 1973 sold and renamed Marivic. Scrapped in 1977. |
| British Viscount | 1951 | 8,664 | Swan Hunter | Scrapped in 1965. |
| British Vision | 1954 | 11,349 | JL Thompson & Sons | Scrapped in 1972. |
| British Warrior | 1951 | 6,143 | JL Thompson & Sons | 1961 sold and renamed Anne. 1964 resold and renamed LSCO Pandacan. scrapped in 1977. |
| British Workman | 1949 | 8,575 | Harland & Wolff | In 1960 collided with and sank the Mongabara in fog off the German coast. Scrapped in 1967. |
| British Yeoman | 1949 | 8,741 | Furness Shipbuilding Company | Scrapped in 1963. |
| Chisholm Trail | 1944 | 10,660 | Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company | T2 tanker purchased 1947, sold 1955 and renamed Montsoreau. Scrapped after collision in 1961. |
| Cottonwood Creek | 1944 | 10,647 | Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company | T2 tanker purchased 1947, sold 1955 and renamed Brissac. Sold 1959 and renamed Bulk Mariner but reverted to original name in 1960. Sold 1965, wrecked and abandoned 1970. |
| El Morro | 1944 | 10,673 | Kaiser Company | T2 tanker purchased 1947, scrapped in 1959. |
| Fort Frederika | 1944 | 10,672 | Kaiser Company | T2 tanker purchased 1947, scrapped in 1959. |
| Fort Stevens | 1944 | 10,639 | Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company | T2 tanker purchased 1947, scrapped in 1959. |
| Iran | 1943 | 798 | Grangemouth Dockyard Company | Ex Empire Settler purchased 1947. Renamed Widad in 1958. Sold in 1962 and renamed Motol VII. Scrapped in 1968. |
| Mesa Verde | 1944 | 10,660 | Kaiser Company | T2 tanker purchased 1947, sold 1955 and renamed Villandry. Scrapped in 1961. |
| Pazan | 1942 | 438 | Greifenwerft G.m.b.H., Stettin | Ex Luftwaffe August. Acquired by AIOC in 1948, renamed Angliran 20 and transferred to PSSC. Transferred to BTC in 1949. Sold in 1956 and renamed Southern Pioneer. Scrapped after an explosion and fire at Mombasa in 1964. |
| Red Bank | 1944 | 10,639 | Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company | T2 tanker purchased 1947, sold 1959 and renamed Bank. Scrapped in 1960. |
| Rogue River | 1944 | 10,647 | Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company | T2 tanker purchased 1947, sold 1959 and renamed Hunsfors. Renamed Apache in 1960. Sold 1968 and renamed Pacmerchant. Scrapped in 1977. |
| Smoky Hill | 1944 | 10,448 | Kaiser Company | T2 tanker purchased 1947, sold 1957. Scrapped in 1967. |

## Subsidiary companies

A number of second-hand ships weren't integrated into the main fleet but were operated by subsidiary companies, often a single ship per company. These vessels were not renamed into the British sequence. The principal subsidiary companies were The Petroleum Steam Ship Company, The Lowland Tanker Company and the jointly owned Shell-Mex & BP.

## House flag

The first house flag consisted of the black letters BTC set in a white circle on a white horizontal band, the white bordered with black, all set against a red background.
In 1926/7 the flag was changed to include the Persian colours. This new house flag consisted of the red Cross of Saint George on a white background, with a large green lozenge imposed over the centre of the cross, the lozenge containing a golden lion 'passant guardant'; the lion being a symbol of Persia. This remained until 1954, when a red lion 'rampant' replaced the golden lion.
* 1915-1927
* 1927-1955
* 1955-1968 and 1984-1989
* 1968-1984