Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The P & O Company

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Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The P & O Company

AssociatedAssociated with Lord Mountbatten of Burma (Frogmore House, Windsor, England, 1900 - 1979)

Medallist John Pinches, Medallists

DateMay 2004

Object NameMedal

MediumSterling Silver

ClassificationsMedals

AcquisitionPresented in 2004 by Dr Joan M Burrell.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDMS072500.49

Keywords

About MeThe Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company owes its origins to the genius and enterprise of two men, both of Scottish descent, Arthur Anderson (1792-1868) and Brodie McGhie Willcox (1785-1862). Anderson was born in the Shetland Islands to humble parents. He sought his fortune in London after brief service in the Royal Navy as midshipman during the Napoleonic Wars. In London he was introduced to a young shipowner, Willcox, who had inherited a merchant business from his father. Willcox was already an active shipowner who specialised in trade with the Iberian peninsular, operating a fleet of small sailing vessels in the service. In 1822, Anderson was admitted into partnership and the firm became known as Willcox and Anderson, a much respected City enterprise.

The partners' Spanish trade flourished, thanks to political no less than commercial skill. In the mid-183o's, the Spanish Minister in London was pleased to appoint the firm managers of a newly inaugurated steamship service between Britain and Spain.

Later, the British Government determined to invite tenders for a steamship mail and packet service to Iberia, and the partners were successful in obtaining the contract to conduct a regular service, the agreement being signed in 1837. The service was initially maintained by four steamers, Tagus, Don Juan, Braganza and Iberia.

Not content with this progress the partners pursued more ambitious goals when in 1840 they sought, and obtained incorporation under a Royal Charter, which formally established the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, with a capital of £1m in £50 shares, to commence mail services under Government contract, to the East.

A substantial fleet of high-class steamers was soon built, culminating in September 1842 with the departure of Hindostan, a wooden paddle steamer of 2,017 tons gross, to the Far East via the Cape, thus inaugurating the firm's direct oriental service.

By the 1880s the P & O fleet was the largest in the world, and had an unexcelled record in comfort, regularity and safety.

Both Anderson and Willcox found time to serve in various public capacities and both became Members of Parliament, Anderson serving the Orkney constituency and Willcox sitting for Southampton where he took an active part in the development of that port. Their energy and enterprise established a line with an enduring record of efficiency and safety.

The Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea, John Pinches Medallists Ltd.