The origins of Walter Runciman & Co Ltd lie in the seafaring career of Walter Runciman, first Baron Runciman of Shoreston (1847-1937), born in Dunbar, Scotland. In 1853 the family moved to the coastguard station at Cresswell, Northumberland, England. In 1885 Walter purchased his first ship and in 1889 he formed the South Shields Steam Shipping Co Ltd, of South Shields, Tyne & Wear, England. The business expanded rapidly and the head offices were moved to Newcastle-on-Tyne, England in 1892. By 1895 Walter Runciman owned 20 steamers, 11 in his own name and 9 under the South Shields Steam Shipping Co Ltd, which changed its name to become Moor Line Ltd in April 1897 . At the same time, Walter Runciman & Co, a partnership of Sir Walter Runciman and his son, also Walter, entered into a Management Agreement to be ships?? managers for Moor Line Ltd. By 1904 there were 23 steamers divided between Walter Runciman & Co, Moor Line Ltd, and the North Moor Steamships Ltd to be found in ports all over the world. At the start of World War I the Runciman group of shipowners had 40 vessels, 21 of which were lost during the war. Incorporated on 10 December 1915, Walter Runciman & Co was a company limited by shares. It was formed to take over the partnership business of Walter Runciman and Co which now consisted of steamship managers, owners and brokers. In 1919 Sir Walter foresaw a slump in demand for shipping, and the remaining ships, 13 in all, were sold to Western Counties Shipping Co Ltd. When that company failed in 1922, Sir Walter bought 8 ships back at a greatly reduced price and began trading again as an owner. In 1920 Moor Line Ltd went into voluntary liquidation, and a new Moor Line Ltd, a public company quoted on the Stock Exchange, was created in November the same year. Walter Runciman & Co Ltd were appointed General Managers and Secretaries of the new Moor Line Ltd, by virtue of a new Management Agreement between the two companies. In 1937 , following the death of Lord Runciman, it changed its name to the Runciman Shipping Co Ltd. In November 1941, a scheme for the reconstruction of Walter Runciman & Co Ltd was approved by the company directors. The company went into voluntary liquidation and authorised the liquidator to carry out the reconstruction. The new company was to be registered in the same name and was to carry on the same business. Resolutions to this effect were carried at a General Meeting of the company which was held in December 1941, and Walter Runciman & Co Ltd was re-incorporated in 1942 . In March 1947 the Runciman Shipping Co Ltd amalgamated with Walter Runciman & Co Ltd, taking its name. In 1965 , Walter Runciman & Co Ltd were the managers of Moor Line Ltd of Newcastle-on-Tyne, England when it acquired Anchor Line Ltd from the United Molasses Co Ltd. In 1966 Moor Line Ltd purchased the managing company Walter Runciman & Co Ltd and decided to move their administrative offices from Newcastle-on-Tyne, England to Glasgow, Scotland and have the management of the two companies, Moor Line Ltd and Anchor Line Ltd, under one roof. In 1968 , Moor Line Ltd changed its name to Walter Runciman & Co Ltd and transferred the ownership of the entire fleet to Anchor Line Ship Management Ltd, a newly created company. Runciman Shipping Ltd was formed for the day-to-day management of all the vessels. In that year, Anchor Line Ltd gave up the Glasgow ?? USA trade, but became agents for Cunard Brocklebank Ltd, handling all Atlantic Container Line traffic from Scotland and providing ancillary shore services for containers. The base was at Braeside, Renfrew, Renfrewshire, Scotland. The Runciman Group expanded again in 1969 with the acquisition of the Currie Line, of Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland and in 1972 Anchor Line Ltd acquired George Gibson & Co Ltd, also of Leith. In 1976 , the Anchor Line Company Ltd structure was recast. It retained ownership of the vessels and had responsibility for shipping policy. There were five operating Divisions: Anchor Line Eastern Services Ltd (concerned with Eastern commercial activities); Anchor Line Ship Management Ltd (handling the bulk carriers and any managed vessels); Currie Line Ltd ( concerned with European services, mainly with charted tonnage, warehousing and road haulage); George Gibson & Co Ltd (concerned with the gas tanker fleet); Runciman Shipping Ltd (dealing with the administration). Anchor Line Eastern Services Ltd, Anchor Line Ship Management Ltd and George Gibson & Co Ltd were all active in 2005.
From the guide to the Records of Walter Runciman & Co Ltd, shipowners, Glasgow, Scotland, 1860s-1982, (Glasgow University Archives Service)
