Corporate body

Allan Line Steamship Co.

1819-1917

The Allan Shipping Line was established in 1819 by Captain Alexander Allan (1780-1854) of Saltcoats, Ayrshire. The company was involved in trade and transportation between Scotland and Montreal, which became the signature route for the Allan Line.

By the 1830s, the company had offices in Glasgow, Liverpool, and Montreal. All five of Captain Allan's sons were actively engaged in the business, with his second son, Sir Hugh Allan (1810-1882), leading the second generation. In 1854, Hugh launched the Montreal Ocean Steamship Company as part of the Allan Line. Two years later, he took control of the Royal Mail contract between Britain and North America, ousting Samuel Cunard. By the 1880s, the Allan Line had become the world's largest privately owned shipping concern. In 1891, the company acquired the State Line (founded in 1872) and was often referred to as the Allan & State Line. In 1897, Andrew Allan (1822-1901) consolidated the various branches of the Allan shipping empire under one company, Allan Line Steamship Company Ltd., of Glasgow. By then, the company had established offices in Boston and London.

In 1917, the company was purchased by Canadian Pacific Steamships under Sir Montagu Allan (1860-1951), representing the third generation of the Allan family. By the following year, the Allan name had disappeared from commercial shipping.