Trunk Metal Painted Black Pair Union-Castle Line & Safmarine South African Rail

A matched pair of 19th century black metal travelling trunks. Metal carrying handles. Locks no keys. One stamped made in England. Both with Union-Castle Line & Safmarine, G, Mr & Mrs Gale, Cabin 151 & 155, Vessel SA Oranje, 7th April, Port of Embarkation Southampton, Port of Disembarkation Cape Town Both with S.A.R. S.A.S. labels numbered 58 One with South African Railways Label One marked 'No III' Wonderful deep and rich patina reflecting their history from years of travel Can be repurposed as chests on stands in the bedroom or hallway or as decorative objects. Length cm., " Depth cm., Height cm.

Union-Castle Line & Safmarine, The Union-Castle Line was a British shipping line that operated a fleet of passenger liners and cargo ships between Europe and Africa from 1900 to 1977. It was formed from the merger of the Union Line and Castle Shipping Line. It merged with Bullard King and Clan Line in 1956 to form British & Commonwealth Shipping, and then with South African Marine Corporation (commonly referred to as Safmarine) in 1973 to create International Liner Services, but maintained its separate identity throughout. Its shipping operations ceased in 1977. The Union Line was founded in 1853 and in 1900 merged with the Castle Shipping Line. They were well known for the lavender-hulled liners with red funnels topped in black, running on a rigid timetable between Southampton and Cape Town. Every Thursday at 4pm a Union-Castle Royal Mail Ship would leave Southampton bound for Cape Town. SA Oranje was built in 1948. After 187 sailings and carrying over 250,000 passengers SA Oranje was decommissioned in 1975 and broken up.