Farrell Lines
Encyclopedia
Farrell lines Incorporated was named in 1948 after James A. Farrell Jr., and John J. Farrell, sons of James A Farrell Sr., president of US Steel. The company was previously known as American South African Lines (ASAL). It was a passenger/cargo line in regular service from New York
to South Africa
stopping at Cape Town
, Port Elizabeth, Durban
and Lourenço Marques (Maputo
) in Mozambique
. The ships were well-appointed and carried about 180 passengers.
divided with fields of alternate red and blue quarters.
(smokestack)
Sr., the late president of the United States Steel Corporation, established his own steamship company. The Isthmian Steamship Company was created in 1910 as a subsidiary of U.S. Steel and was designed to mitigate the costs of shipping U.S. Steel's freight. James A. Farrell grew up the son of a ship's captain, and the knowledge he acquired aided him in establishing a shipping legacy.
Farrell's foray into the shipping industry was a great success. He saved U.S. Steel Corporation substantial sums of money and ultimately decided to delve even further into this new enterprise. By 1928, Farrell was involved in several shipping ventures and operated three of the most influential companies in the industry: Argonaut Lines, Robin Lines, and the American South African Lines (ASAL).
James A. Farrell Sr. had two sons to whom he imparted his shipping knowledge and business savvy. Both sons, John and James Jr., went on to operate two of the three major shipping investments. James Jr. was president of ASAL while John was principal stockholder and president of Argonaut Lines.
In 1940, John abolished Argonaut Lines and transferred its vessels to ASAL. Shortly thereafter, James Jr. served in World War II
in Naval Intelligence, and upon returning home, he teamed up with his brother to run ASAL. The two were able to create a powerful management team and operated the main U.S. flag and passenger service between Africa and the United States.
By 1948, ASAL was the only line operated by the Farrell family and the name was subsequently changed to Farrell Lines. Determined to leave their imprint on the family legacy, the Farrell brothers worked tirelessly to improve their brand and position the company for growth. In 1965, they acquired the Australia-U.S. East Coast service from United States Lines
. At this time the brothers also ceased offering passenger services, fixing their focus entirely onto the movement of cargo.
Following their 1965 acquisition, growth came along rapidly. Farrell Lines purchased another string of companies in 1975, the West-Coast Australia Service of the Pacific Far-East Line, and by 1978 Farrell Lines became the second largest U.S.-flag merchant fleet, 44 ships, with the acquisition of the entire American Export Line fleet.
When James Jr. and John passed away in 1978 and 1968, respectively, they had made Farrell Lines a top-tier U.S. flag company. They had upheld their father's legacy and ultimately handed the company down to other members of the Farrell family. But difficult financial times hit the company, and Farrell Lines dropped all of its African and European routes and sold 38 of its 44 ships. By 1991, Farrell Lines continued to operate with only four ships and catered solely to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf.
Container Line Ltd. in 2000, which was subsequently purchased by the A.P. Møller-Maersk Group in 2005. Following the purchase, Farrell Lines became a part of Maersk Line, Limited, the U.S. flag operating arm of the A.P. Møller-Maersk Group. Under Maersk Line, Limited, Farrell Lines has reemerged as a U.S. flag roll-on, roll-off carrier. Maersk Line, Limited revitalized the Farrell Lines brand in 2010 and increased the fleet to four ships.
Farrell Lines currently operates in partnership with Höegh Autoliners and its U.S. affiliate Alliance Navigation, focusing their efforts on transits between the U.S. East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico to the Middle East and Southwest Asia. Farrell Lines has also been able to sustain its tradition of leadership by participating in the Maritime Security Program (MSP) and the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA); both are important programs designed to support the Department of Defense in its sustainment of U.S. military forces to ensure the fleet is prepared in the event that emergency deployment is needed.
The Alliance Beaumont and Alliance Charleston, which have adjustable deck configurations to optimize space and maximize militarily useful stowage, joined the Alliance St. Louis and Alliance Norfolk.
location was full of ship models and paintings of ships. Behind the receptionist, as you came in the door, there was a world map with chains of white lights showing the various trade routes served by Farrell Lines ships. The world was illuminated by the white lights across the Atlantic, Pacific, the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean
s.
John J Farrell, wheelchair bound, used to stop by before the Christmas
Holiday and distributed a two-week holiday check to each employee in both good times and bad. Families were a topic John cherished dearly. John was deeply saddened by the lost of his younger brother James many years earlier.
As an employee to Farrell lines Incorporated, I had the privilege to dine aboard the African Neptune and Austral Ensign. While touring the African Neptune I saw a mural of King Neptune, holding his trident
on his left hand, riding atop his chariot
above the waves and guided by his sea-horses
.
The company’s maps and other items display a shield with the company’s flag under a ship surrounded by two sea-horses on each side above sea waves.
West Isleta was a 5,680 GRT (8,800 DWT) cargo ship built by Ames Shipbuilding & Drydock Co, Seattle. Completed in 1919 for the USSB. Transfer to American South African Line in 1926. To MoWT in 1940 and renamed Empire Merlin. Torpedoed on 25 August 1940 by U-48 and sunk at 58°30′N 10°15′W while a member of Convoy HX 65A.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
stopping at Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, Port Elizabeth, Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
and Lourenço Marques (Maputo
Maputo
Maputo, also known as Lourenço Marques, is the capital and largest city of Mozambique. It is known as the City of Acacias in reference to acacia trees commonly found along its avenues and the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. It was famous for the inscription "This is Portugal" on the walkway of its...
) in Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
. The ships were well-appointed and carried about 180 passengers.
Flag
A white saltireSaltire
A saltire, or Saint Andrew's Cross, is a heraldic symbol in the form of a diagonal cross or letter ex . Saint Andrew is said to have been martyred on such a cross....
divided with fields of alternate red and blue quarters.
Original Routes
- 1925 New York to West AfricaWest AfricaWest Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
, South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... - 1935 New York to East AfricaEast AfricaEast Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
- 1965 U.S.United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
East CoastEast Coast of the United StatesThe East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
to AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga... - 1975 U.S. West CoastWest Coast of the United StatesWest Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
to Australia and New Zealand
Ships Funnel
The ships funnelChimney
A chimney is a structure for venting hot flue gases or smoke from a boiler, stove, furnace or fireplace to the outside atmosphere. Chimneys are typically vertical, or as near as possible to vertical, to ensure that the gases flow smoothly, drawing air into the combustion in what is known as the...
(smokestack)
- 1925 - 1946 BuffBuff (colour)Buff is a pale yellow-brown colour that got its name from the colour of buff leather.Displayed on the right is the colour buff.EtymologyAccording to the Oxford English Dictionary, buff as a descriptor of a colour was first used in the London Gazette of 1686, describing a uniform to be "A Red Coat...
- 1946 - 2000 Buff with black top and depiction of houseflag
History
The heritage and shipping prowess of Farrell Lines can be traced back to the early 1900s when James A. FarrellJames A. Farrell
James Augustine Farrell was president of US Steel from 1911 to 1932. A major business figure of his era, Farrell expanded US Steel by a factor of five during his Presidency, turning it into America's first billion-dollar company...
Sr., the late president of the United States Steel Corporation, established his own steamship company. The Isthmian Steamship Company was created in 1910 as a subsidiary of U.S. Steel and was designed to mitigate the costs of shipping U.S. Steel's freight. James A. Farrell grew up the son of a ship's captain, and the knowledge he acquired aided him in establishing a shipping legacy.
Farrell's foray into the shipping industry was a great success. He saved U.S. Steel Corporation substantial sums of money and ultimately decided to delve even further into this new enterprise. By 1928, Farrell was involved in several shipping ventures and operated three of the most influential companies in the industry: Argonaut Lines, Robin Lines, and the American South African Lines (ASAL).
James A. Farrell Sr. had two sons to whom he imparted his shipping knowledge and business savvy. Both sons, John and James Jr., went on to operate two of the three major shipping investments. James Jr. was president of ASAL while John was principal stockholder and president of Argonaut Lines.
In 1940, John abolished Argonaut Lines and transferred its vessels to ASAL. Shortly thereafter, James Jr. served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in Naval Intelligence, and upon returning home, he teamed up with his brother to run ASAL. The two were able to create a powerful management team and operated the main U.S. flag and passenger service between Africa and the United States.
By 1948, ASAL was the only line operated by the Farrell family and the name was subsequently changed to Farrell Lines. Determined to leave their imprint on the family legacy, the Farrell brothers worked tirelessly to improve their brand and position the company for growth. In 1965, they acquired the Australia-U.S. East Coast service from United States Lines
United States Lines
United States Lines was a transatlantic shipping company that operated cargo services from 1921 to 1989, and ocean liners until 1969—most famously the SS United States.-1920s:...
. At this time the brothers also ceased offering passenger services, fixing their focus entirely onto the movement of cargo.
Following their 1965 acquisition, growth came along rapidly. Farrell Lines purchased another string of companies in 1975, the West-Coast Australia Service of the Pacific Far-East Line, and by 1978 Farrell Lines became the second largest U.S.-flag merchant fleet, 44 ships, with the acquisition of the entire American Export Line fleet.
When James Jr. and John passed away in 1978 and 1968, respectively, they had made Farrell Lines a top-tier U.S. flag company. They had upheld their father's legacy and ultimately handed the company down to other members of the Farrell family. But difficult financial times hit the company, and Farrell Lines dropped all of its African and European routes and sold 38 of its 44 ships. By 1991, Farrell Lines continued to operate with only four ships and catered solely to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf.
Sale
Farrell Lines became a subsidiary of P&O NedlloydP&O Nedlloyd
P&O Nedlloyd Container Line Limited was an Anglo-Dutch worldwide ocean-going container shipping line, with dual headquarters in London and Rotterdam. The company was formed in 1997 by the merger of the container-shipping interests of the leading Dutch transportation company Royal Nedlloyd and the...
Container Line Ltd. in 2000, which was subsequently purchased by the A.P. Møller-Maersk Group in 2005. Following the purchase, Farrell Lines became a part of Maersk Line, Limited, the U.S. flag operating arm of the A.P. Møller-Maersk Group. Under Maersk Line, Limited, Farrell Lines has reemerged as a U.S. flag roll-on, roll-off carrier. Maersk Line, Limited revitalized the Farrell Lines brand in 2010 and increased the fleet to four ships.
Farrell Lines currently operates in partnership with Höegh Autoliners and its U.S. affiliate Alliance Navigation, focusing their efforts on transits between the U.S. East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico to the Middle East and Southwest Asia. Farrell Lines has also been able to sustain its tradition of leadership by participating in the Maritime Security Program (MSP) and the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA); both are important programs designed to support the Department of Defense in its sustainment of U.S. military forces to ensure the fleet is prepared in the event that emergency deployment is needed.
Current Fleet
The Farrell Line fleet currently consists of four pure car/truck carriers. In February 2010, Farrell Lines expanded its U.S. flag fleet with larger vessels to meet customers’ growing demand.The Alliance Beaumont and Alliance Charleston, which have adjustable deck configurations to optimize space and maximize militarily useful stowage, joined the Alliance St. Louis and Alliance Norfolk.
Farrell Lines New York Office
Farrell Lines fourteenth floor office at its downtown ManhattanManhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
location was full of ship models and paintings of ships. Behind the receptionist, as you came in the door, there was a world map with chains of white lights showing the various trade routes served by Farrell Lines ships. The world was illuminated by the white lights across the Atlantic, Pacific, the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
s.
John J Farrell, wheelchair bound, used to stop by before the Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
Holiday and distributed a two-week holiday check to each employee in both good times and bad. Families were a topic John cherished dearly. John was deeply saddened by the lost of his younger brother James many years earlier.
As an employee to Farrell lines Incorporated, I had the privilege to dine aboard the African Neptune and Austral Ensign. While touring the African Neptune I saw a mural of King Neptune, holding his trident
Trident
A trident , also called a trishul or leister or gig, is a three-pronged spear. It is used for spear fishing and was also a military weapon. Tridents are featured widely in mythical, historical and modern culture. The major Hindu god, Shiva the Destroyer and the sea god Poseidon or Neptune are...
on his left hand, riding atop his chariot
Chariot
The chariot is a type of horse carriage used in both peace and war as the chief vehicle of many ancient peoples. Ox carts, proto-chariots, were built by the Proto-Indo-Europeans and also built in Mesopotamia as early as 3000 BC. The original horse chariot was a fast, light, open, two wheeled...
above the waves and guided by his sea-horses
Hippocamp
The hippocamp or hippocampus , often called a sea-horse in English, is a mythological creature shared by Phoenician and Greek mythology, though the name by which it is recognised is purely Greek; it became part of Etruscan mythology...
.
The company’s maps and other items display a shield with the company’s flag under a ship surrounded by two sea-horses on each side above sea waves.
Vessels
|
USS General R. L. Howze (AP-134) USS General R. L. Howze was a for the U.S. Navy in World War II. The ship was crewed by the U.S. Coast Guard throughout the war. She was named in honor of U.S. Army general Robert Lee Howze. She was transferred to the U.S. Army as USAT General R. L. Howze in 1946... SS Flickertail State (T-ACS-5) SS Flickertail State is a crane ship in ready reserve for the United States Navy. She is stationed at Newport News, Virginia and is in ready reserve under the Military Sealift Command. The ship was named for the state of North Dakota, which is also known as the Flickertail State.The ship was... USS Theenim (AKA-63) USS Theenim was an Andromeda class attack cargo ship said to be named after a star in the constellation Eridanus. Theenim was one of a handful of AKA's manned by a Coast Guard crew in World War II... |
USNS Courier (T-AK-5019) USNS Courier was a cargo ship of the National Defense Reserve Fleet. The cargo ship was built by Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock, Chester, PA, at the request of the US Maritime Administration in 1962. The ship is 470 ft in length and has a breath of 73 and weighs 11420 tons, empty... Gopher State class crane ship The Gopher State-class crane ships of the United States Navy are a class of auxiliary vessels. The lead ship of the class is named in honor of the state of Minnesota.... |
USS Eurana (SP-1594) USS Eurana was a cargo ship in the United States Navy during World War I. She was later named Alamar.Eurana was built in 1916 by the Union Iron Works in San Francisco, California. The time period of construction was from 1 January 1916 to 31 December 1916... William Cramp and Sons thumb | upright | 1899 advertisement for William Cramp & Sons William Cramp & Sons Shipbuilding Company of Philadelphia was founded in 1825 by William Cramp, and was the preeminent U.S. iron shipbuilder in the 19th century. The American Ship & Commerce Corporation bought the yard in 1919 but closed... (A) SS George Washington Carver SS George Washington Carver was a Liberty ship built for the United States Maritime Commission during World War II. The ship was named in honor of George Washington Carver, and was the second Liberty ship named for an African American.... USS Highlands (APA-119) USS Highlands was a Haskell-class attack transport built and used by the US Navy in World War II. She was a Victory ship design, VC2-S-AP5. She was named after Highlands County, Florida, USA.-World War II service:... USS Manderson Victory (AK-230) USS Manderson Victory was a Boulder Victory-class cargo ship acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II. She served in the Pacific Ocean theatre of operations through the end of the war, earning one battle star, and then returned to the United States for disposal.-Victory built in... SS Empire Bison Empire Bison was a 5,912 GRT cargo ship built in 1919 for the United States Shipping Board as West Cawthon. In 1940 she was transferred to the Ministry of War Transport and renamed Empire Bison. She was torpedoed and sunk by on 1 November 1940.-Description:West Cawthon was a Design 1019 ship... (USSB) SS West Cheswald SS West Cheswald was a cargo ship for the launched shortly after the end of World War I. The ship was inspected by the United States Navy for possible use as USS West Cheswald but was neither taken into the Navy nor ever commissioned under that name... USS Soubarissen (AO-93) -External links:*... SS Wright (T-AVB-3) SS Wright is one of two Aviation Logistics Support Container Ships built for the United States Navy in 1968.The lead ship of her class of two, she was originally laid down 1 June 1968 at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc... |
West Isleta was a 5,680 GRT (8,800 DWT) cargo ship built by Ames Shipbuilding & Drydock Co, Seattle. Completed in 1919 for the USSB. Transfer to American South African Line in 1926. To MoWT in 1940 and renamed Empire Merlin. Torpedoed on 25 August 1940 by U-48 and sunk at 58°30′N 10°15′W while a member of Convoy HX 65A.
Ships Gallery
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External links
- The return of Farrell Lines
- http://books.google.com/books?id=XIgnra446MIC&pg=PA202&lpg=PA202&dq=farrell+lines+ships&source=bl&ots=M3BjoNOJAw&sig=-ajrQZyGmsX7RSnDphhMtMqFGWo&hl=en&ei=RaSHTLjSJ4P58Abi36iEAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAjgy#v=onepage&q=farrell%20lines%20ships&f=falseA historical dictionary of the U.S. merchant marine and shipping industry: since the introduction of steam by René De La Pedraja Tomán]
- Farrell Lines Fleet
- Farrell Lines Ship List
- Farrell Lines by Joe Mcmillan
- American Export Ship List
- Design of Austral Endurace, Ensign, Entente and Envoy
- Farrell Lines Container Ships
- Merchant Ship Building History
- Painting of Austral Rainbow by Michael Woodard
- Merchant Ships Used in the Korean War
- Stock Photos of Merchant Ships
- NYT Travel 1982
- C/V Export Patriot
- African Neptune
- Maritime Images
- Port of Houston Magazine October 1982
- Isthmaian Lines
- Old Ships picture gallaries
- Rowayton Historical society
- Postcard
- Sagadahoc - Ships hit by U-boats
- Convoy PQ17 merchants
- Pacific
- Designs of Comet, Meteor, Planet and Enterprise
- Uboat Net
