The Clyde-based Clan Line started operating with four sailing ships in 1878, but steam power and bigger ships were the future, enabling the company to open up new routes to more ports. After the First World War, wartime losses were replaced by new ships and tow other international shipping companies were acquired with routes to Australia, New Zealand, South America and Africa. The company continued to build ships in the 1940s and 50s at its own Greenock Dockyard, but containerisation loomed, and shipping companies had to adapt. In 1956, Clan Line merged with its long-time rival, the Union Castle Line, on South African routes to form a new company. The last Clan liner, Clan Alpine, was launched in 1966 but was sold off in 1981, with the three remaining ships following in 1982. This illustrated history by one of Scotland's most eminent industrial and transport historians tells the story of the line and many of its ships.
