FURTHER READING & RESEARCH
For readers who a wish to explore the subject of Palm Line further or are seeking specific information which has not been covered in this website there are some other sources available that might provide the desired information. Alternatively, questions are welcomed at palmship@aol.com and those managing the site will endeavour to answer them or at least offer some suggestions as to where the answer might be found.
Two books have been written specifically about the company: ‘Palm Line, The Coming of Age 1949 – 1970’ written by Roger Kohn and ‘Palm Line’ written by Laurence Dunn and P. M. Heaton.
The first of these was commissioned and paid for by the company to celebrate its twenty first birthday after its formation in 1949 and published in 1970. It was never put out for public sale but a copy was distributed to a wide variety of potentially interested parties and clients including shippers and other shipping companies. A copy was also given to all the Head Office staff and the contracted sea staff.
The eighty-page book does contain some interesting photographs and has six chapters entitled:
1. Before Palm
2. The Post-War World
3. The Ships and the Men
4. The Ports
5. Cargoes and Cargo Handling
6. Services to Shippers
Copies of the book are often available on eBay and specialist booksellers at a reasonable price.
The second book was published in 1994 and is still available on several websites including Amazon and eBay as well as specialist booksellers.
The 168-page book contains a photograph and some details of all the ships owned by the United Africa Company and Palm Line and has chapters entitled:
1. Introduction
2. The Bromport Steamship Company
3. The African and Eastern Trade Corporation, The Niger Co, Ltd. and the United Africa Co. Ltd.
4. The Second World War
5. Immediate Post War Period
6. The Southern Whaling & Sealing Co. Ltd.
7. Palm line is Born
8. Changing Pattern of Trade
9. Appendix One – Ships Owned by The African and Eastern Trade Corporation, The Niger Co, Ltd. And the United Africa Co. Ltd.
10. Appendix Two – Ships Owned by Palm Line Ltd.
11. Appendix Three - Ships Managed by United Africa Co. Ltd. On behalf of the Ministry of War Transport
12. Appendix Four – Ships Chartered by United Africa Com. Ltd. From the Ministry of War Transport for Three Year Period c. 1946
Several books have been written by ex-seafarers who spent some of their time with Palm Line. The most well-known of these is the title ‘Palm Oil and Small Chop’ written by John Goble. John sailed with the company as a Chief Officer between 1976 and 1986 and sadly crossed the bar in 2021. The book was published by Whittles Publishing in 2011 it is still available from some specialist booksellers.
There was also the 219 pages book ‘Oil River Trader: Memories of Iboland’ written by Raymund Gore Clough in 1972 which give an interesting insight into trading in the Niger Delta. Copies occasionally become available but are expensive.
Finally, Unilever has an Archive facility at Port Sunlight which holds significant records pertaining to Palm Line. It is currently closed for refurbishment but will re-open soon and details will be provided when that happens.
There are also some more general publications with articles about Palm Line. The very first, I believe, was in Sea Breezes February 1956 edition. An eleven page article mainly detailing the progress of the company since it’s formation in 1949.
SHIPS IN FOCUS RECORD - 35. Contains a 12 page article on the design of the the fleet from 1952 to 1961 .
SHIPS IN FOCUS RECORD - 36. Contains an 8 page article on the last years of the company by John Goble.
SHIPS IN FOCUS RECORD - 38. Contains a 5 page pictorial of the tankers of the company, excluding Matadi Palm (II).
Ships Monthly have had articles over the years. More details will follow.