H. Hogarth & Co. / Baron Line

Hugh Hogarth in partnership with James Goodwin commenced shipowning in Ardrossan in 1868 when they purchased the brigantine Fearless and commenced trading to Canada and the West Indies. The fleet quickly expanded but the partnership was dissolved about 1878 and Hogarth continued in the shipping business.
The company moved it's business to Glasgow in 1880, but the ships continued to be registered in Ardrossan. In 1881 they ordered their first steamship and by this time, Hogarth ships were trading worldwide. Hugh Hogarth died in 1904 and the directorship passed to his son Samuel Crawford Hogarth who gradually disposed of the sailing vessels, the last being sold in 1910 and built up the fleet of steamships. By 1914 the company owned 23 ships, but lost 14 during the Great War.
The fleet was rebuilt and by 1939 owned 39 ships and was one of the largest privately owned shipping companies in the world. 20 ships were lost during the Second World War, but the company managed 36 ships for the Ministry of War Transport.
Samuel Crawford Hogarth died in 1950 and the operation of the company was taken over by other family members. The company moved into the bulk carrier trade in 1965 and in 1968 joined with Lyle Shipping Co. to form Scottish Ship Management Ltd. In 1986 the company ceased trading. ( )