# Clan Line

The Clan Line was a passenger and cargo shipping company that operated in one incarnation or another from the late nineteenth century and into the twentieth century.

## History
### Foundation and early years

The company that would become the Clan Line was first founded as C. W. Cayzer & Company in Liverpool in 1877 by Charles Cayzer (see Cayzer baronets). It was set up to operate passenger routes between Britain and Bombay, India via the Suez Canal. The next year, Captain William Irvine joined the company and it was renamed Cayzer, Irvine & Company.
In 1881 the company was joined by an influential Glasgow businessman and his firm of Thomas Dunlop & Sons, and the Clan Line Association of Steamers was established. The company opened a new head office at 109 Hope Street, Glasgow. Cayzer, Irvine built and managed ships for the association and Cayzer himself retained ownership of the original six Clan ships. At the same time, they expanded their operations to South Africa. In 1890 the company became The Clan Line of Steamers Limited with Cayzer holding the majority interest. The company again expanded its operations with the purchase of the Persian Gulf Steam Ship Company in 1894, bringing four more ships into the company. They used these new assets to expand their routes into the Persian Gulf and to North America, and to begin to carry cargo.
The company was incorporated in 1907 as Cayzer, Irvine & Company, Limited, with the Cayzer family retaining control. Charles Cayzer died in 1916, with his sons continuing to run the company. In 1918 they acquired and incorporated the assets of the Scottish Shire Line. Despite suffering losses in the First World War, the company had recovered by the 1930s to become the largest cargo carrying concern in the world.

### The Clan Line at war and after

Clan Line saw a large number of its ships either requisitioned by the British government, or otherwise used to ship vital supplies to Britain during the First and Second World Wars. Their ubiquitousness led to them being called the 'Scots Navy' (due to their officers' sleeve rings being identical to those of the Royal Navy) and they were often in dangerous environments, at risk from mines, air attacks or German U-boats.
During the Second World War, for example, three of the Line's Cameron class steamers were requisitioned in 1942 by the Royal Navy whilst still under construction at Greenock Dockyard and commissioned as HMS Athene (aircraft transporter), HMS Engadine (aircraft transporter) and HMS Bonaventure (submarine depot ship for X-craft). The Clan Line lost a total of 30 ships in the 1939-45 war.
After the end of the war, the Clan Line commissioned six vessels of the Clan MacLaren class (commonly known as the MacL's) to replace war losses and resume a level of pre-war services. Construction started in 1946 and all six had entered service by 1949. Meanwhile, the immediate shortage was alleviated by the acquisition of a number of wartime standard construction ships, such as the American Liberty ships. Most of these would continue to serve with the Clan Line fleet until 1962, by which time the first vessels of the Clan MacIver class were entering service. Meanwhile, management attempted to further alleviate the shortfall with the purchase of the Thompson Steam Shipping Co. in 1952 and the conversion to motor ships throughout the 1950s.

### Post war restructuring

In 1956, under the impetus of Nicholas Cayzer the Clan Line joined with the Union-Castle Line, King Line and Bullard King & Company to form British & Commonwealth Shipping Limited. A number of transfers then took place between the component companies. They formed the Springbok Shipping Company in 1959 to take over the operations of their South African services, and several of the Clan Lines' ships were transferred to it. In 1961 the Springbok Shipping Company became part of Safmarine.

### Decline

In the 1970s, British and Commonwealth began to diversify into financial services as passenger shipping declined and cargo shipping evolved into container shipping. By the mid-1980s, the business had evolved into one of the country's largest financial services companies. The Clan Line, now a subsidiary of British & Commonwealth, ceased trading in 1981 with the final voyage made by MV Clan Macgregor. By 1986 British & Commonwealth had disposed of their last ship.
With the move from the third to the fourth generation of the Cayzer family, the family shareholders were becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the reduction in control over British and Commonwealth, caused by its expansion using shares as currency. In 1987 they decided to sell their stake in British and Commonwealth and to concentrate their collective investment in Caledonia Investments, whose function until that time had primarily been as a holding company. This was a timely decision: the sale took place just prior to the Black Monday stock market crash and, two years later, British and Commonwealth went into receivership.

## Shipping

The ships of the Clan Line were usually distinguishable by their names, the vast majority of which had the prefix 'Clan'. Their funnel markings were black with two red bands divided by narrow black band, and they flew the house flag, which was a rectangular red flag bearing a white diamond with a red rampant lion in the centre.

### Ships of the Clan Line

| Ship | Built | GRT | Notes |
| SS Argyllshire | 1956 | 9,299 | 1960 transferred to Scottish Shire Line. 1975 sold to Gulf East Marine Ltd and renamed Schivago 1977 scrapped at Gadani Beach, Pakistan. |
| SS Ayrshire | 1956 | 9,360 | 1960 transferred to Scottish Shire Line. 1965 wrecked off Socotra. |
| SS Clan Allen | 1942 | 7,043 | ex-Empire Forest 1946 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Allen 1958 transferred to Bullard King & Co., renamed Umtali 1959 reverted to Clan Allen 1961 sold to Hong Kong, renamed Ardsirod |
| SS Clan Alpine | 1878 | 2,112 | 1899 sold to Dene Steam Shipping Co, Newcastle, renamed Elmdene |
| SS Clan Alpine | 1899 | 3,587 | 1917 torpedoed and sunk off Shetland Islands by U-60, with the loss of 8 lives |
| SS Clan Alpine | 1918 | 5,485 | 13 March 1943 sunk by escort ship HMS Scarborough after being torpedoed by German submarine U-107 off Cape Finisterre; loss of 28 lives |
| SS Clan Alpine | 1942 | 7,103 | ex-Empire Barrie 1945 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Alpine 1957 transferred to Bullard King & Co., renamed Umvoti 1959 reverted to Clan Alpine, 1960 scrapped |
| MV Clan Alpine | 1967 | 8,713 | 1981 sold to Liberia, renamed African Diamond |
| SS Clan Angus | 1942 | 7,030 | ex-Empire Prince 1945 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Angus 1956 transferred to Bullard King & Co., renamed Umkuzi 1959 reverted to Clan Angus 1962 scrapped |
| SS Clan Brodie | 1940 | 7,473 | Completed for Admiralty as HMS Athene 1946 returned to Clan Line, renamed Clan Brodie 1963 scrapped |
| SS Clan Buchanan | 1882 | 2,968 | 1904 sold to Bombay owners, renamed Shah Allum |
| SS Clan Buchanan | 1907 | 5,212 | 1933 scrapped |
| SS Clan Buchanan | 1937 | 7,266 | 1941 sunk by German raider Pinguin off the Maldives after the crew had been taken prisoner, with the loss of 91 lives. 10 days later when HMS Cornwall intercepted and sank Pinguin, 107 Clan Buchanan crew members were killed. |
| SS Clan Buchanan | 1941 | 9,909 | Completed for Admiralty as HMS Engadine 1946 returned to Clan Line, renamed Clan Buchanan 1962 scrapped |
| SS Clan Cameron | 1882 | 2,448 | 1900 sold to Trinidad Shipping & Trading Co, Glasgow, renamed Maraval |
| SS Clan Cameron | 1900 | 3,595 | 1917 torpedoed and sunk by UB-58 off Portland Bill; no loss of life |
| SS Clan Cameron | 1937 | 7,243 | 1959 scrapped |
| SS Clan Campbell | 1882 | 2,434 | 22 September 1882 She ran aground and was wrecked at Baie du Cap, Mauritius |
| SS Clan Campbell | 1894 | 2,615 | 1914 sold to AdelaideSS Co., renamed Camira |
| SS Clan Campbell | 1914 | 5,988 | 1916 torpedoed, shelled and sunk off Tunisia |
| SS Clan Campbell | 1937 | 7,255 | 23 March 1942 bombed by Italian naval aircraft and sunk off Malta, with the loss of 7 lives |
| SS Clan Campbell | 1943 | 9,545 | 1961 transferred to King Line and scrapped |
| SS Clan Chattan | 1902 | 3,938 | 1930 scrapped |
| SS Clan Chattan | 1937 | 7,262 | 14 February 1942 bombed and caught fire while part of convoy MW 9A. She was eventually sunk by Convoy Escort off Crete. All 358 crew were saved. |
| SS Clan Chattan | 1943 | 9,585 | 1962 transferred to King Line and scrapped |
| SS Clan Chisholm | 1896 | 2,647 | 1925 sold to Japan, renamed Fukko Maru |
| SS Clan Chisholm | 1937 | 7,256 | 17 October 1939 torpedoed and sunk by U-48 off Cape Finisterre, with the loss of 4 lives |
| SS Clan Chisholm | 1944 | 9,581 | 1962 transferred to King Line and scrapped |
| SS Clan Colquhoun | 1899 | 5,856 | 1925 sold to Italy, renamed Nasco |
| SS Clan Colquhoun | 1918 | 7,912 | ex-Gallic 1933 purchased from White Star Line, renamed Clan Colquhoun 1947 sold to Panama, renamed Ioannis Livanos |
| SS Clan Cumming | 1899 | 4,808 | 1917 torpedoed and damaged by UB-55 20 nautical miles (37 km) SW of Lizard Point 1925 sold to Italy, renamed Ettore |
| SS Clan Cumming | 1937 | 7,264 | 14 April 1941 she struck a mine and sunk off the Greek island of Aegina |
| SS Clan Cumming | 1946 | 7,812 | 1962 scrapped |
| SS Clan Davidson | 1911 | 5,058 | 1917 torpedoed and sunk off Scilly Isles by UC-17 (48°16′N 08°36′W﻿ / ﻿48.267°N 8.600°W﻿ / 48.267; -8.600); loss of 14 lives |
| SS Clan Davidson | 1943 | 8,067 | Completed for Admiralty as HMS Bonaventure 1948 returned to Clan Line, renamed Clan Davidson 1961 scrapped |
| SS Clan Drummond | 1882 | 2,922 | 1898 foundered in heavy weather in Bay of Biscay, with the loss of 37 lives |
| SS Clan Farquhar | 1899 | 5,858 | 1917 torpedoed and sunk off Benghazi by UB-43, with the loss of 49 lives |
| SS Clan Farquhar | 1918 | 8,006 | ex-Delphic 1933 purchased from White Star Line, renamed Clan Farquhar 1948 scrapped |
| MV Clan Farquharson | 1962 | 9,292 | 1968 sold to Iran, renamed Arya Sep |
| SS Clan Ferguson | 1898 | 4,808 | 1917 torpedoed and sunk by UB-49 15 nautical miles (28 km) NW of Cap Spartel, Morocco (35°50′N 06°10′W﻿ / ﻿35.833°N 6.167°W﻿ / 35.833; -6.167); loss of 10 lives |
| SS Clan Ferguson | 1938 | 7,347 | 12 August 1942 both bombed by German Ju 88 aircraft and torpedoed by the Italian submarine Alagi, sank 20 nautical miles (37 km) N of Zembra Island. She was taking part in Operation Pedestal. |
| MV Clan Fergusson | 1961 | 9,242 | 1965 sold to Scindia Steam Navigation Company, Bombay, renamed Jalapankhi |
| MV Clan Finlay | 1962 | 9,292 | 1968 sold to Iran, renamed Arya Far |
| SS Clan Forbes | 1882 | 2,461 | 1903 sold to Furness, Withy & Co., renamed London City (3) |
| SS Clan Forbes | 1903 | 3,946 | 1918 torpedoed and sunk in Mediterranean by UB-103 (31°55′N 27°50′E﻿ / ﻿31.917°N 27.833°E﻿ / 31.917; 27.833), with the loss of 2 lives |
| SS Clan Forbes | 1938 | 7,529 | 1959 scrapped |
| MV Clan Forbes | 1961 | 9,292 | 1968 sold to Iran, renamed Arya Man |
| SS Clan Fraser | 1878 | 2,092 | 1895 sold to Dene Steamship Co, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, renamed Oakdene |
| SS Clan Fraser | 1900 | 3,588 | 1919 sold to Greece, renamed Aghia Paraskevi |
| SS Clan Fraser | 1938 | 7,529 | 1941 bombed at Piraeus while unloading ammunition and exploded |
| MV Clan Fraser | 1961 | 9,292 | 1965 sold to Scindia Steam Navigation Company, Bombay, renamed Jalapalaka |
| SS Clan Gordon | 1879 | 2,091 | 1897 wrecked Mozambique |
| SS Clan Gordon | 1900 | 3,589 | 1919 capsized and sank off Cape Hatteras, with no loss of life |
| SS Clan Graham | 1882 | 2,926 | 1905 sold to Bombay & Persia Steam Navigation Company, renamed Majdi |
| SS Clan Graham | 1907 | 5,213 | 1918 Badly damaged in an attack by German submarine UC-74 15 nautical miles (28 km) SSE of Cape Sidero 1921 sold for scrap after collision and fire in River Scheldt |
| SS Clan Graham | 1912 | 5,785 | ex-Cambrian Princess 1929 purchased from William Thomas Shipping Company, Cardiff, renamed Clan Graham 1935 transferred to Houston Line 1938 sold to Neil & Pandelis, London, renamed Maritima |
| MVClan Graham | 1962 | 9,308 | 1971 transferred to King Line 1977 reverted to Clan Line 1981 sold to Panama, renamed Candelaria |
| SS Clan Grant | 1883 | 3,580 | 1900 sold to Russia and became whaling supply ship Michail |
| SS Clan Grant | 1902 | 3,948 | 16 October 1914 captured and sunk by German raider Emden off the Maldives |
| SS Clan Grant | 1912 | 5,817 | ex-Cambrian Marchioness 1929 purchased from R.J. Thomas, Cardiff, renamed Clan Grant 1935 transferred to Houston Line 1939 sold to Stanhope Shipping Co., London, renamed Stangrant |
| MV Clan Grant | 1962 | 9,322 | 1971 transferred to King Line 1977 reverted to Clan Line 1981 sold to Panama, renamed Enriqueta |
| SS Clan Keith | 1914 | 4,306 | ex-Etonian 1918 purchased from Cambrian Steam Navigation Company, renamed Clan Keith 1920 transferred to Houston Line, renamed Hilarius 1924 reverted to Clan Line renamed Clan Keith 1937 sold to Minster Steamship Company, London, renamed Orminster |
| SS Clan Keith | 1942 | 7,129 | ex-Ocean Verity 1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Keith 1961 exploded and sank off Tunisia, with the loss of 62 lives |
| SS Clan Kennedy | 1907 | 5,086 | ex-Ardgaroch 1918 purchased from Lang & Fulton, Greenock, renamed Clan Kennedy 1924 grounded off Suffolk, total loss |
| SS Clan Kennedy | 1942 | 7,143 | ex-Ocean Viscount 1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Kennedy 1959 sold to China, renamed Kelly |
| SS Clan Kenneth | 1909 | 5,100 | ex-Ardgryfe 1918 purchased from Lang & Fulton, Greenock, renamed Clan Kenneth 1934 scrapped |
| SS Clan Kenneth | 1942 | 7,132 | ex-Ocean Viceroy 1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Kenneth 1958 sold to Greece, renamed Omonia II |
| SS Clan Lamont | 1879 | 2,091 | 3 May 1891 wrecked Vindiloas Point, Batticaloa, Ceylon |
| SS Clan Lamont | 1900 | 3,594 | 1928 scrapped |
| SS Clan Lamont | 1939 | 7,673 | 1940–48 used by Admiralty as Landing ship and later as troop ferry 1948 returned to Clan Line. 1961 scrapped. |
| SS Clan Leslie | 1902 | 3,973 | 1916 torpedoed and sunk by UB-43 200 nautical miles (370 km) E of Malta (33°56′N 18°37′E﻿ / ﻿33.933°N 18.617°E﻿ / 33.933; 18.617), with the loss of 3 lives |
| SS Clan Lindsay | 1896 | 2,668 | 1898 wrecked Cape Colony |
| SS Clan Lindsay | 1902 | 3,935 | 1931 scrapped |
| SS Clan Macalister | 1891 | 2,265 | 1902 sold to Furness Withy, renamed Loyalist |
| SS Clan Macalister | 1903 | 4,835 | 1916 torpedoed and sunk by U-35 120 nautical miles (220 km) SxE of Cape Martello, Crete. There was no loss of life |
| SS Clan Macalister | 1930 | 6,787 | 29 May 1940 bombed and sunk during Dunkirk evacuation with the loss of 12 lives |
| SS Clan Macarthur | 1883 | 3,984 | 1904 sold to Shah Steam Navigation Company, India, renamed Shah Jehan |
| SS Clan Macarthur | 1912 | 7,382 | 1920 transferred to Scottish Shire Line, renamed Berwickshire 20 August 1944 torpedoed and sunk 200 nautical miles (370 km) E of Durban by U-861, with the loss of 8 lives |
| SS Clan Macarthur | 1936 | 10,528 | 12 August 1943 torpedoed and sunk by U-181 E of Madagascar, with the loss of 53 lives |
| SS Clan Macaulay | 1899 | 2,834 | 1929 scrapped |
| SS Clan Macaulay | 1936 | 10,492 | 1961 transferred to Houston Line 1963 scrapped |
| SS Clan MacBean | 1917 | 5,052 | 1947 sold to Goulandris Brothers, renamed Korthion |
| SS Clan MacBean | 1942 | 7,129 | ex-Ocean Courier 1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Macbean 1960 scrapped |
| SS Clan MacBeolan | 1912 | 4,652 | ex-Lord Cromer 1918 purchased from J. Herron, Liverpool, renamed Clan Macbeolan 1920 transferred to Houston Line, renamed Halesius 1936 sold to Greece, renamed Avra |
| SS Clan Macbeth | 1913 | 4,650 | 1937 sold to Nailsea Steamship Company, Cardiff, renamed Nailsea Vale |
| SS Clan Macbeth | 1942 | 7,130 | ex-Ocean Glory 1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Macbeth 1959 sold to Hong Kong, renamed Madonna |
| SS Clan Macbrayne | 1916 | 4,818 | 1943 transferred to Houston Line 1948 sold to Panama, renamed San Georgio |
| SS Clan Macbrayne | 1942 | 7,129 | ex-Ocean Messenger 1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Macbrayne 1960 transferred to King Line 1961 scrapped |
| SS Clan Macbride | 1912 | 4,886 | 1937 sold to McGowan & Gross, renamed Heathcot |
| SS Clan Macbride | 1942 | 7,128 | ex-Ocean Gypsy 1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Macbride 1958 sold to Hong Kong, renamed Alice |
| SS Clan Maccorquodale | 1913 | 5,121 | 1917 torpedoed and sunk by UB-51 in Mediterranean 165 nautical miles (306 km) NWxN of Alexandria |
| SS Clan Macdonald | 1882 | 2,642 | 1897 sold to Dene Steamship Company, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, renamed Briardene |
| SS Clan Macdonald | 1897 | 4,839 | 1922 sold to Japan, renamed Hokuyo Maru |
| MV Clan Macdonald | 1928 | 6,022 | 1929 transferred to Scottish Shire Line, renamed Stirlingshire 2 December 1940 She was part of Convoy HX-90 when she was torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic (55°36′N 16°22′W﻿ / ﻿55.600°N 16.367°W﻿ / 55.600; -16.367) by U-94, with no loss of life |
| MV Clan Macdonald | 1939 | 9,653 | 1960 transferred to Houston Line 1970 scrapped |
| SS Clan MacDougall | 1904 | 4,710 | 1918 torpedoed and sunk by UB-49 off Sardinia, with the loss of 33 lives |
| MV Clan MacDougall | 1929 | 6,843 | 31 May 1941 torpedoed and sunk by U-106 near Cape Verde Islands, with the loss of 2 lives |
| MV Clan MacDougall | 1943 | 9,710 | 1960 transferred to Houston Line 1971 sold to Cyprus renamed Vyrsi |
| SS Clan Macduff | 1870 | 2,319 | ex-City of Oxford 1881 purchased from George Smith & Sons, renamed Clan Macduff 1881 sank in bad weather off Ireland, with the loss of 32 lives |
| SS Clan Macewen | 1912 | 5,140 | 1920 transferred to Scottish Shire Line, renamed Buteshire 1932 transferred to Houston Line 1948 scrapped |
| SS Clan Macfadyen | 1899 | 2,816 | 1921 sold to Japan, renamed Shunka Maru |
| SS Clan Macfadyen | 1923 | 6,224 | 27 November 1942 The unescorted vessel was torpedoed and sunk by U-508 east of Trinidad, with the loss of 82 lives |
| SS Clan Macfadyen | 1944 | | ex Samderwent, Managed for MOWT 1947 renamed Clan Macfadyen 1958 sold to Greece, renamed Betavista |
| SS Clan Macfarlane | 1898 | 4,823 | 1915 torpedoed and sunk by U-38 off Crete, with the loss of 52 lives |
| SS Clan Macfarlane | 1922 | 6,222 | 1940 sank after collision in Red Sea, with the loss of 41 lives |
| SS Clan Macfarlane | 1943 | 7,176 | ex Sambrian. Managed for MOWT 1947 renamed Clan Macfarlane 1961 sold to Lebanon, renamed Nicholas |
| SS Clan Macgillivray | 1911 | 5,023 | 1948 sold to Hong Kong, renamed Maclock |
| MV Clan Macgillivray | 1962 | 9,039 | 1969 transferred to King Line 1981 sold to Hong Kong renamed Clan Macboyd |
| MV Clan MacGowan | 1962 | 9,039 | 1969 transferred to King Line 1970 sold to India SS Co., renamed Indian Tribune |
| SS Clan MacGregor | 1882 | 3,003 | 1899 sunk in collision off Portugal |
| SS Clan Macgregor]] | 1901 | 4,511 | 1 June 1902 She ran aground and was wrecked at Atlas Reef, South Africa on her maiden voyage |
| MV Clan MacGregor | 1962 | 9,039 | 1969 transferred to King Line 1977 reverted to Clan Line 1982 sold to Greece, renamed Angelika R |
| SS Clan Macilwraith | 1924 | 4,958 | 1950 sold to F. Vinnen, Bremen, renamed Magdalene Vinnen |
| MV Clan Macilwraith | 1960 | 7,419 | 1979 sold to Singapore, renamed Golden City |
| SS Clan Macindoe | 1920 | 4,635 | 1943 burnt out at Alexandria |
| MV Clan Macindoe | 1959 | 7,395 | 1979 sold to Gulf Shipping Lines, renamed Gulf Heron |
| SS Clan Macinnes | 1907 | 3,755 | ex-Roanoke 1907 purchased from Chesapeake & Ohio Steamship Company, renamed Clan Macinnes 1914 sold to Furness Withy, reverted to Roanoke |
| SS Clan MacInnes | 1920 | 4,672 | 1947 sold to Noemijulia Steamship Company, London, renamed San George |
| MV Clan MacInnes | 1952 | 6,559 | 1978 sold to Lebanon, renamed Athoub |
| SS Clan Macintosh | 1883 | 4,053 | 1905 sold to M. Jebson, Hamburg, renamed Totti |
| SS Clan Macintosh | 1905 | 4,774 | 1932 scrapped |
| MV Clan Macintosh | 1951 | 6,556 | 1978 sold to Hong Kong, renamed Sanil |
| SS Clan Macintyre | 1891 | 2,515 | 1902 sold to Ellerman Lines, renamed Bulgarian |
| SS Clan Macintyre | 1903 | 4,807 | 1928 sold to Italy, renamed Norma |
| MV Clan Macintyre | 1951 | 6,556 | 1976 sold to Panama, renamed Eastern Express |
| SS Clan Maciver | 1907 | 3,760 | ex-Rapidan 1907 purchased from Chesapeake & Ohio Steamship Company, renamed Clan Maciver 1914 sold to Furness Withy, reverted to Rapidan |
| SS Clan Maciver | 1921 | 4,606 | 1951 sold to Costa Rica, renamed Carrena |
| MV Clan Maciver | 1958 | 7,413 | 1979 sold to Panama, renamed Trinity Pride |
| SS Clan Mackay | 1882 | 2,171 | 1891 wrecked Ceylon |
| SS Clan Mackay | 1894 | 2,600 | 1913 sold to Adelaide Steamship Company, renamed Ceduna 1924 Tung Duck 1937 Chang Teh 1937 Pananis 1941 Shinyo Maru |
| SS Clan Mackay | 1916 | 5,040 | 1918 sank after collision SW of the Scilly Isles |
| SS Clan Mackay | 1913 | 5,182 | ex-Sudmark, Hamburg America Line 1914 captured by Royal Navy, renamed Huntscraft 1919 purchased from Shipping Controller 1921 renamed Clan Mackay 19 October 1934 she ran aground and was wrecked near Sierra Leone at 8°30′N 13°18′W﻿ / ﻿8.500°N 13.300°W﻿ / 8.500; -13.300 |
| SS Clan Mackay | 1945 | 7,389 | ex-Empire Gunfleet 1946 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Mackay 1962 sold to Panama, renamed Babylon |
| SS Clan Mackellar | 1912 | 6,382 | 1937 sold to McGowan & Gross, renamed Moorcot |
| SS Clan Mackellar | 1944 | 7,051 | ex-Empire Lankester 1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Mackellar 1961 sold to Hong Kong, renamed Ardgroom |
| SS Clan Mackendrick | 1943 | | ex-Empire Pickwick 1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Mackendrick 1961 sold to Hong Kong, renamed Ardpatrick |
| SS Clan Mackenzie | 1882 | 2,987 | 1904 sold to Shah Steam Navigation Company, India, renamed Shah Ameer |
| SS Clan Mackenzie | 1911 | 5,018 | 1912 She was wrecked when she ran aground near Torre Nueva, near Cadiz |
| SS Clan Mackenzie | 1917 | 6,544 | 1918 torpedoed and damaged by German submarine UB-30 S of the Isle of Wight 1937 beached after collision in Liverpool Bay, total loss |
| SS Clan Mackenzie | 1942 | 7,025 | ex-Empire Cato 1947 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Mackenzie, 1960 scrapped |
| SS Clan Mackinlay | 1918 | 6,418 | 6 November 1940 She was bombed by a German He 115 seaplane and sunk off Noss, Scotland, with the loss of 5 lives |
| SS Clan Mackinlay | 1945 | 7,392 | ex-Empire Fawley 1946 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Mackinlay, 1962 scrapped |
| SS Clan Mackinnon | 1891 | 2,268 | 1902 sold to Furness Withy, renamed Evangeline |
| SS Clan Mackinnon | 1902 | 4,788 | 1927 sold to Finland, renamed Herakles |
| SS Clan Mackinnon | 1945 | 7,373 | ex-Empire Dunnet 1946 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Mackinnon 1955 transferred to Houston Line 1961 sold to Hong Kong, renamed Ardross |
| SS Clan Maclachlan | 1900 | 4,729 | 1917 sank following being run down by Italian steamer Europa when 60 nautical miles (110 km) SW of Cape Spartel off Morocco. Both ships were travelling without lights due to wartime. 6 lives were lost |
| SS Clan Maclachlan | 1946 | 6,365 | 1971 scrapped |
| SS Clan Maclaren | 1899 | 2,832 | 1924 sold to Japan, renamed Muroran Maru |
| SS Clan Maclaren | 1946 | 6,389 | 1976 transferred to Houston Line in 1959 1961 reverted to Clan Line 1976 sold to Seymour Shipping Company, London, renamed Seemor |
| SS Clan Maclay | 1948 | 6,389 | 1976 sold to Panama, renamed Climax Amethyst |
| SS Clan Maclean | 1870 | 2,329 | ex-City of Cambridge 1881 purchased from George Smith & Son, renamed Clan Maclean 13 August 1903 She ran aground and was wrecked in fog on Portuguese coast 6 nautical miles (11 km) N of Cape St. Vincent, with no loss of life |
| SS Clan Maclean | 1905 | 4,676 | 1919 wrecked on Comoros Islands, with no loss of life |
| MV Clan Maclean | 1947 | 6,017 | 1976 sold to Singapore, renamed Sentosa Island |
| SS Clan Maclennan | 1947 | 6,366 | 1971 scrapped |
| SS Clan Macleod | 1871 | 2,290 | ex-City of Mecca 1881 purchased from George Smith & Son, renamed Clan Macleod 1883 sold to Stephen in part payment for new ship and resold to Sloman Line, Hamburg, renamed Procida |
| SS Clan Macleod | 1891 | 2,507 | 1902 sold to Ellerman Lines, renamed Bosnian |
| SS Clan Macleod | 1903 | 4,796 | 1915 shelled and sunk by U-33 at position 35°39′N 16°43′E﻿ / ﻿35.650°N 16.717°E﻿ / 35.650; 16.717 E of Malta, with the loss of 12 lives |
| MV Clan Macleod | 1948 | 6,073 | 1976 sold to Cyprus, renamed Papaji |
| SS Clan Macmaster | 1917 | 6,563 | 30 September 1923 She was wrecked on Thousla Rock, Calf of Man, on voyage from Clydebank to Liverpool with a general cargo |
| SS Clan Macmillan | 1901 | 4,525 | 1917 torpedoed and sunk by UB-39 in English Channel at 50°41′N 00°01′W﻿ / ﻿50.683°N 0.017°W﻿ / 50.683; -0.017 |
| SS Clan Macmillan | 1918 | 6,608 | 1924 wrecked in Bay of Bengal, with no loss of life |
| SS Clan Macnab | 1891 | 2,266 | 1903 sold to Furness Withy, renamed St. John City |
| SS Clan Macnab | 1904 | 4,675 | 1918 torpedoed and sunk by U-113 off Land's End at 50°20′N 05°55′W﻿ / ﻿50.333°N 5.917°W﻿ / 50.333; -5.917, with the loss of 22 lives |
| SS Clan Macnab | 1920 | 6,114 | 1941 sank after collision near Cape Verde Islands |
| MV Clan Macnab | 1961 | 9,428 | 1980 sold to Panama, renamed New Eagle |
| SS Clan Macnair | 1921 | 6,094 | 1952 scrapped |
| MV Clan Macnair | 1962 | 9,401 | 1980 sold to Singapore, renamed Lichiang |
| SS Clan Macnaughton | 1911 | 4,985 | 1915 disappeared at sea in Atlantic while serving as Armed Merchant Cruiser - presumed mined, with the loss of 281 lives |
| SS Clan Macnaughton | 1921 | 6,110 | 1 August 1942 the unescorted vessel was torpedoed and sunk E of Trinidad by U-155, with the loss of 5 lives |
| SS Clan Macneil | 1891 | 2,421 | 1902 sold to Ellerman Lines, renamed Belgravian |
| SS Clan Macneil | 1903 | 3,939 | 1918 torpedoed and sunk by UC-34 off Alexandria at 31°21′N 29°47′E﻿ / ﻿31.350°N 29.783°E﻿ / 31.350; 29.783 |
| SS Clan Macneil | 1921 | 6,111 | 1952 scrapped |
| SS Clan Macphee | 1911 | 5,177 | 16 August 1940 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic by U-30, with the loss of 67 lives |
| SS Clan Macpherson | 1883 | 3,989 | 1905 sold to M. Jebson, Hamburg, renamed Hanna |
| SS Clan Macpherson | 1905 | 4,779 | 1918 torpedoed and sunk by UC-27 off North Africa at 37°47′N 09°05′E﻿ / ﻿37.783°N 9.083°E﻿ / 37.783; 9.083, with the loss of 20 lives |
| SS Clan Macpherson | 1929 | 6,940 | 1 May 1943 torpedoed and sunk by U-515 off Freetown, with the loss of 4 lives |
| SS Clan Macquarrie | 1913 | 5,060 | 13 June 1942 sunk by Leonardo da Vinci at 05°30′N 23°30′W﻿ / ﻿5.500°N 23.500°W﻿ / 5.500; -23.500 west of Freetown |
| SS Clan Macquarrie | 1942 | 7,131 | ex-Ocean Wayfarer 1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Macquarrie 1953 scrapped after going aground in a storm on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland at the village of Borve. 66 crew were rescued by villagers |
| SS Clan Macqueen | 1942 | 7,131 | ex-Ocean Vesper 1948 purchased from MOWT, renamed Clan Macqueen 1954 transferred to Houston Line, renamed Herminius 1958 sold to Panama, renamed Ekberg |
| SS Clan Macrae | 1892 | 2,510 | ex-Shatt el Arab 1894 taken over with Persian Gulf Steamship Company, renamed Clan Macrae 1900 sold to Chadwick Steamship Company, renamed Carmelite |
| SS Clan Macrae | 1911 | 5,058 | 1921 transferred to Scottish Shire Line, renamed Banffshire 1932 transferred to Houston Line 29 September 1943 torpedoed and sunk off Maldives by U-532. Only 1 crew member was killed |
| SS Clan Macrae | 1942 | 9,209 | ex-Empire Might 1946 purchased from Ministry of War Transport, renamed Clan Macrae 1959 transferred to Bullard King & Co., renamed Umgeni 1960 transferred to Springbok Line, renamed Gembok 1961 transferred to Safmarine, renamed South African Financier 1962 scrapped |
| SS Clan Mactaggart | 1920 | 7,603 | 1935 transferred to Scottish Shire Line 16 November 1942 torpedoed and sunk by U-92 NW of Gibraltar, with the loss of 3 lives |
| SS Clan Mactaggart | 1949 | 8,035 | 1971 scrapped |
| SS Clan Mactavish | 1912 | 5,816 | 1916 shelled and sunk by German raider SMS Möwe off Madeira, with the loss of 18 lives |
| SS Clan Mactavish | 1920 | 7,619 | 8 October 1942 torpedoed and sunk by U-159 in Indian Ocean, with the loss of 61 lives |
| SS Clan MacTavish | 1949 | 8,035 | 1971 scrapped |
| SS Clan Macvey | 1918 | 5,830 | 1918 torpedoed and sunk in English Channel on maiden voyage by UB-57 |
| SS Clan MacVicar | 1918 | 5,815 | 1936 sold to Counties Ship Management, London, renamed Dover Hill On 9 June 1944 during the Normandy landings she was scuttled off Sword Beach as a Corncob block ship for a Gooseberry Harbour. |
| SS Clan Macwhirter | 1918 | 7,062 | ex-Ypresville 1919 purchased from Lloyd Royal Belge by Houston Line, renamed Halizones 1920 sold to Convoy Steamship Company, Liverpool, renamed Willcasino 1922 reverted to Houston Line 1923 transferred to Clan Line, renamed Clan Macwhirter 27 August 1942 torpedoed and sunk by U-156 N of Madeira (35°45′N 18°45′W﻿ / ﻿35.750°N 18.750°W﻿ / 35.750; -18.750), with the loss of 10 lives |
| SS Clan Macwilliam | 1918 | 7,234 | 1927 burnt out at Vavau, Friendly Islands |
| SS Clan Malcolm | 1916 | 5,994 | 26 September 1935 She struck Tregwin Rocks in thick fog and was wrecked near Lizard Point |
| MV Clan Malcolm | 1957 | 7,686 | 1979 sold to Panama, renamed Trinity Fair |
| SS Clan Matheson | 1883 | 3,917 | 1905 sold to M. Jebson, Hamburg, renamed Mariechen |
| SS Clan Matheson | 1905 | 4,775 | 14 September 1914 captured and sunk by German raider Emden in the Bay of Bengal |
| SS Clan Matheson | 1917 | 5,960 | 1918 sank after collision in mid Atlantic |
| SS Clan Matheson | 1919 | 5,613 | 1948 transferred to Houston Line, renamed Harmodius 1951 sold to Heron Steamship Co, London, renamed Claire T 1953 sold to Romney Steamship Co. 1955 sold to Ministry of Transport Scuttled on 27 July 1955 as part of Operation Sandcastle |
| MV Clan Matheson | 1957 | 7,585 | 1978 scrapped |
| SS Clan Menzies | 1896 | 2,669 | 1925 sold to A. Ardito, Genoa, renamed Nostra Signora di Coronata |
| SS Clan Menzies | 1938 | 7,556 | 27 July 1940 torpedoed and sunk off Ireland by U-99 with the loss of 6 lives |
| MV Clan Menzies | 1958 | 8,000 | 1979 sold to Panama, renamed Trinity Splendour |
| SS Clan Monroe | 1881 | 2,197 | 1897 sold to Dene Steamship Co, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, renamed Cedardene |
| SS Clan Monroe | 1897 | 4,853 | 1905 wrecked near Cape Town |
| SS Clan Monroe | 1918 | 5,919 | 1940 she struck mine off Harwich whilst acting as auxiliary transport. She was taken in tow and beached in Hollesley Bay. She was declared a total loss, with the loss of 13 lives |
| SS Clan Morrison | 1918 | 5,931 | 24 February 1940 She struck a mine en route from Southampton to Blyth, Northumberland and sank in the North Sea |
| SS Clan Murdoch | 1919 | 5,930 | 1948 transferred to Houston Line, renamed Halesius 1952 sold to Panama, renamed Jan Kiki |
| SS Clan Murdoch | 1946 | 7,375 | Completed as Hesperia for Houston Line 1960 transferred to Clan Line, renamed Clan Murdoch 1962 sold to Turkey, renamed Mustafa |
| SS Clan Murray | 1881 | 2,108 | ex-Muriel 1882 purchased from W. Ritchie, Aberdeen, renamed Clan Murray 1897 sold to Dene Steamship Co, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, renamed Olivedene |
| SS Clan Murray | 1897 | 4,835 | 1917 torpedoed and sunk by UC-55 off Fastnet (50°57′N 10°21′W﻿ / ﻿50.950°N 10.350°W﻿ / 50.950; -10.350), with the loss of 64 lives |
| SS Clan Murray | 1918 | 5,926 | 1949 transferred to Houston Line, renamed Halizones 1952 scrapped |
| SS Clan Murray | 1946 | 7,301 | Completed as Hesperides for Houston Line 1960 transferred to Clan Line, renamed Clan Murray 1960 scrapped |
| SS Clan Ogilvie | 1882 | 2,425 | Wrecked off Corsica, 7 January 1888. |
| SS Clan Ogilvy | 1896 | 2,641 | 1913 sold to Japan, renamed Taiyo Maru |
| SS Clan Ogilvy | 1914 | 5,802 | 1938 transferred to Houston Line 30 June 1940 As part of Convoy SL-36, she was attacked and damaged by U-65. She was repaired and returned to service in October 1940 21 March 1941 torpedoed and sunk NW of Dakar by U-105 at 20°04′N 25°45′W﻿ / ﻿20.067°N 25.750°W﻿ / 20.067; -25.750, with the loss of 36 lives |
| MV Clan Ramsay | 1965 | 10,542 | 1977 transferred to Union-Castle Line, renamed Winchester Castle |
| SS Clan Ranald | 1878 | 2,048 | 1899 sold to Ranald Steamship Co, Glasgow, renamed Ranald |
| SS Clan Ranald | 1900 | 3,596 | 1909 capsized and sank off the SE coast of Yorke Peninsula, South Australia |
| SS Clan Ranald | 1917 | 5,503 | 1943 transferred to Houston Line 1947 sold to Malta, renamed Valletta City |
| MV Clan Ranald | 1964 | 10,541 | 1976 transferred to Union-Castle Line, renamed Dover Castle |
| SS Clan Robertson | 1897 | 4,826 | 1922 sold to Japan, renamed Kyosei Maru |
| SS Clan Robertson | 1919 | 7,976 | ex-Otaki 1934 purchased from New Zealand Shipping Company, renamed Clan Robertson 1938 sold to Stanhope Shipping Co, London, renamed Stanfleet Later sold to Blue Star Line and became Pacific Star |
| SS Clan Robertson | 1954 | 7,878 | 1959 transferred to Bullard King & Co., renamed Umzinto 1960 transferred to Springbok Line, renamed Rooibok 1961 transferred to Safmarine, renamed South African Shipper 1966 renamed S.A.Shipper 1975 scrapped |
| MV Clan Robertson | 1965 | 10,541 | 1976 transferred to Union-Castle Line, renamed Balmoral Castle 1982 renamed Balmoral Universal 1982 sold and renamed Psara Reefer 19 Jun 1984 scrapped |
| SS Clan Ross | 1894 | 2,604 | 1914 sold to Adelaide Steamship Company, renamed Cantara |
| SS Clan Ross | 1914 | 5,897 | 1918 torpedoed and damaged in an attack by UB-48 28 nautical miles (52 km) E of Cape Camerat, France 1938 transferred to Houston Line 2 April 1942 torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-6 300 nautical miles (560 km) SW of Bombay, with the loss of 11 lives. She was en route from Liverpool to Cochin |
| SS Clan Ross | 1956 | 7,698 | 1960 transferred to Houston Line 1961 transferred to Safmarine, renamed South African Scientist 1962 transferred to Union-Castle Line, renamed Kinnaird Castle |
| MV Clan Ross | 1966 | 10,542 | 1976 transferred to Union-Castle Line, renamed Kinpurnie Castle |
| SS Clan Shaw | 1896 | 3,442 | ex-Imperialist 1896 purchased from Angier Bros, London, renamed Clan Shaw 1898 sold to F & W. Ritson, Sunderland, renamed Vine Branch |
| SS Clan Shaw | 1902 | 3,943 | 1917 mined by UC-29. She was beached and declared a total loss 8 nautical miles (15 km) NE of St.Andrews, near Dundee, with the loss of 2 lives |
| SS Clan Shaw | 1950 | 8,101 | 1960 transferred to Springbok Line, renamed Steenbok 1961 transferred to Safmarine, renamed South African Seafarer 1966 wrecked Cape Town |
| SS Clan Sinclair | 1882 | 2,961 | 1905 sold to Bombay & Persia SN Co., renamed Rahmani |
| SS Clan Sinclair | 1907 | 5,215 | 1933 scrapped |
| SS Clan Sinclair | 1950 | 8,386 | 1960 transferred to Springbok Line, renamed Bosbok 1961 transferred to Safmarine, renamed South African Statesman 1966 renamed S.A.Statesman 1972 scrapped |
| SS Clan Skene | 1918 | 5,257 | 1920 transferred to Houston Line, renamed Halocrates 1923 reverted to Clan Skene 10 May 1940 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic by U-333, with the loss of 9 lives |
| SS Clan Stewart | 1954 | 8,163 | 1961 transferred to Safmarine, renamed South African Sculptor 1962 transferred to Union-Castle Line, renamed Kinpurnie Castle |
| SS Clan Stuart | 1879 | 2,115 | 1900 sold to India, renamed Rander Reunion |
| SS Clan Stuart' | 1900 | 3,594 | 21 November 1914 She ran aground and was wrecked after her anchors dragged in a SE storm at Simons Bay, South Africa on Government Transport work. All crew survived, but the ship was a total loss. |
| SS Clan Stuart | 1916 | 5,755 | 1940 sank after collision off Start Point |
| SS Clan Sutherland | 1896 | 2,820 | 17 April 1917 She was torpedoed and damaged by UC-66 18 nautical miles (33 km) SE of Start Point 1921 sold to Japan, renamed Shinshu Maru |
| SS Clan Sutherland | 1950 | 8,436 | 1971 sold to China National Machinery Import & Export Corp, China and arrived 10 November 1971 at Hsinkang for scrapping |
| SS Clan Urquhart | 1899 | 5,855 | 1929 sold to Retzlaff, Rostock, renamed Generaldirektor Sonnenschein |
| SS Clan Urquhart | 1911 | 9,564 | ex-Argyllshire 1917 taken with Scottish Shire Line 1933 transferred to Clan Line, renamed Clan Urquhart 1936 scrapped |
| SS Clan Urquhart | 1943 | 9,726 | 1960 transferred to Houston Line 1966 scrapped |

## Legacy

It was one of the shipping companies commemorated by the Merchant Navy class of Southern Railway locomotives. Locomotive number 35028 built in 1948 carries the name "Clan Line" and is currently maintained in fully operational condition for hauling excursion trains on the UK's national railway system.

## House flags

* House flag until the 1910s.
* House flag used from 1910s to the end of the company's existence.
* Commodore's flag used to distinguish the Flagship.
* Flag of Clan Sutherland (1951), preserved in Royal Museums Greenwich.
Clan Line company used on its ships a general flag with a red lion on a white rhombus on a red background and second flag with a rhombus and lion on tartan belonging to the clan after which the ship was named. Tartan flags were used until the mid-1960s and were flown at the bow.