Steamship launches Club History

"From Coastal Sail to Global Shipping"

Steamship Mutual has just published a book that tracks the Club’s growth from a small mutual club insuring the last of the coastal sailing ships to today’s position as a global insurer. 

While many of today’s P&I clubs can trace their history back to the nineteenth century, Steamship Mutual’s origins were at the turn of the twentieth century. The Club was established in 1909 by two Gloucester shipowners, Charles Nurse and Alexander Johns, together with six other men including a London based shipbroker, Lionel Sage.  

The book was researched and written by Dr Helen Doe of the Centre for Maritime Historical Studies at the University of Exeter. Dr Doe is a historian who specialises in maritime business history, having had an international career in marketing before joining Exeter. She comments:  

"Having a multinational background assisted me in understanding the global nature of the world of mutual insurance. I found it a highly enjoyable and absorbing task."       

The book looks at why the club was set up and traces its development through two world wars to today. In the 1930s it had become more and more involved in the declining coastal trade, but a change of direction under a newly appointed manager, Sydney Crowe, propelled Steamship into the blue water trades. After the Second World War, the pace of internationalisation accelerated with Italian, German, Indian and Brazilian shipowners joining the Club.  

The book deals with the people, such as managers, shipowners and brokers, who influenced the Club’s progress as it developed. It looks at the changing nature of claims, from small cases of general average to major environmental claims, and the challenges for the club as it grew in size and diversity. The book is based on the Club’s archives but interviews with past employees and shipowners add plenty of anecdotal material to the potentially dry minutes. Chance encounters played an important part in the book’s progress, with an unexpected meeting in Bermuda which led to information on the 1930s Club and another lucky break leading to an archive relating to an early club member from 1910. 

Over one hundred illustrations were tracked down to show the people and ships of all kinds. These include a ship entered before the First World War that was already 100 years old when it was insured, to pictures that show the more complex modern world of shipping. 

Gary Rynsard, Steamship Mutual’s Chief Executive said,

“The Board and managers have been keen to have a history of the Club written to mark the Club's centennial. Dr Helen Doe has provided us with a richly informative and enjoyable history. One fascinating aspect is to see the corporate values we associate with Steamship Mutual, such as dedication to the service of shipowners, diversity in markets, innovation and adaptability established early in the Club's history. Understanding the origins of the Club and the values by which it has thrived serves as an inspiration for the future.”  

…Ends…

 Note to Editors: Additional comments are available upon request.

For further information visit: www.simsl.com and our centenary website: www.simsl.com/centenary    

Press contact:

Jacqueline Callard
Steamship Insurance Management Services Limited
Tel: 020 7650 6515 (direct)
Email: jackie.callard@simsl.com

To obtain a copy of the book (free to Club Members) please contact:

Linda McDonald
Steamship Insurance Management Services Limited
Tel: 020 7650 6649 (direct)
Email:linda.mcdonald@simsl.com  

To contact Helen Doe: 

Dr Helen Doe
Centre for Maritime Historical Studies

University of Exeter 
Tel:07802 201170 (mobile)
Email: h.r.doe@exeter.ac.uk 

About Steamship Mutual

Steamship Mutual (managed by Steamship Insurance Management Services Limited) is a leading provider of Protection & Indemnity (P&I) insurance. As one of the largest P&I Clubs in the International Group, Steamship Mutual insures a diverse range of shipping around the world, for shipowners, managers and charterers. 

Steamship Mutual provides a comprehensive and adaptable range of P&I and ancillary insurance covers backed by a stable financial position, strong free reserves and a carefully constructed reinsurance programme. The Club consistently delivers exceptional service to its Members, providing high quality professional claims management and services.  

With offices in London, Bermuda, Hong Kong, Brazil and correspondents in every major shipping port worldwide, Steamship Mutual employs highly professional and experienced staff including qualified lawyers, ex-senior mariners, and specialist insurance and claims experts.