Some time ago, Lorrendraaier purchased two tin canisters, which detail the name of the vessel, the captain, and the firm that issued them. However, it appears that not much is known about the company that distributed these tins online. At least, unless we take a deeper look!
by Caitlin Greyling
On the canister on the left, the words “Canning Chambers” and “Canning Place” are also emblazoned. Based on research, the ships mentioned on the cans didn’t belong to either Browne, Van Santen & Co. or Browne, Van Santen & Geveke, though.
Based on the company names, we can deduce that the tin on the left may have been issued prior (?-1878) to the London partnership.
Tin 1Ship: CORNELIA Cap. G.T. Van der Velde (sailed the CORNELIA nee MARIE JEANNETTE/HOOP from 1965~) OF Rotterdam
From: Browne, Van Santen & Co Canning Chambers Canning Place L’POOL |
Tin 2Ship: ERNESTINE Kapt. J.H.J. Jollie (sailed ERNESTINE from 1873-1875) VAN Amsterdam
Browne, Van Santen & Geveke LONDON Browne, Van Santen & Co. L’POOL |
Luckily, the members of the Kustvaartforum – Gert Schouwstra, of AA-Planadvies, in particular – quickly unravelled the mystery:
“Browne, van Santen and Geveke acted as ship brokers, insurance agents, charterers, travel agents, etc. They did everything that made money, except being owners. So they gave these cannisters to ship owners who sailed for them or who had insured their ship with them. This was the best possible way to ensure that the ship’s papers would always end up in good hands if something happened (in their office, that is).”
An archived story from the Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant, dated January 4 1868 illustrates this scenario perfectly:
“Newspaper: NRC – Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant
Message type: Messages from abroad incl ports
Great Yarmouth, January 1. Today a smack ship brought here a small box containing: some ship’s papers, two silver watches, various coins and other articles. Some papers bore the inscription JANTJE GOOSSENS, capt. MF Leisler, of Pekela, of Browne, of Santen Co. Canning-Chambers Liverpool . The JANTJE GOOSSENS was a ship (note: galliot) of 132 tons and was based at Nieuwe Pekela. The ship was in Newcastle on November 21, in cargo for Harlingen. The above-mentioned articles were fished up in the North Sea. (note: see also PGC 070368)”
07 May 1868:
Because these two canisters and others viewed in a museum all have wear and tear, it’s very likely they were used onboard the vessels. Each canister even featured a link for a padlock to ensure the contents were not easy to steal.
Undoubtedly, these canisters were also an excellent advertisement for the company and its services. Maybe even up to this day, though no commercial income could come of our knowing of its operations, including these “branded” canisters now, could it?
However, we weren’t concerned purely with the origins of the canisters, but the company – Browne, Van Santen & Co. or Gevede – itself.
The Partners
As to Browne, Van Santen, and Geveke, the partnership consisted of:
- Herman Sophia Van Santen, Netherlands consul, Liverpool (est. 1830/31 – 1910?) married to Mary Shaw Van Santen (est. 1838/39-1908?)
- Edward Browne, Netherlands vice-consul, Liverpool (?)
- John George Geveke (est. 1835-1845 – 1910?)
The Link With Lloyd’s Register of Shipping
The first clue was found in Lloyd’s Registry archives. Notably, Browne, Van Santen & Co./Gevede were subscribed to Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, as reported in old editions.
A Brief History of Lloyd’s Register
The Register (the UK chapter, and the first created) came about as an effort on the part of the select shipping industry community members that gathered at Edward Lloyd’s Coffee House to “give both underwriters and merchants an idea of the condition of the vessels they insured and chartered (source, Wikipedia).”
The coffee house was initially opened on Tower Street, London, in 1686 but then relocated to the prestigious 16 Lombard Street in 1691. As a hotspot for ship merchants, sailors, and ship owners, it also became a hub for those looking for the latest maritime news. Its owner, Edward Lloyd, started printing out regular sheets and even installed a pulpit for maritime announcements at the Lombard Street address. But it wasn’t all talk.
Ship auctions, insurance agreements, and various other important insurance- and maritime-related events occurred at the coffee house, including the formation of some very important organizations that still stand today. As a result, many of those (and subsequent unaffiliated shipping) organizations adopted Lloyd’s last name, including Lloyd’s of London, Lloyd’s List, and the Lloyd’s Register of Shipping itself.
But how does this relate to the two canisters at hand?
Browne, Van Santen, Geveke & Co’s Lloyd’s Register Subscription
In Lloyd’s Register of British and Foreign Shipping (volumes 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, and 1884), Browne, van Santen & Geveke are mentioned as a subscriber, having first signed up for a subscription in 1878.
These editions also mention the firm was based at 118 Fenchurch Street, which is around 350 meters from the Lombard Street Lloyd’s Coffee House. And, incidentally, 100 meters from the current headquarters of Lloyd’s Register of Shipping at 71 Fenchurch Street.
The Colcutt Building, which Thomas Colcutt designed for Lloyd’s in 1898 and was completed in 1901. The newer glass and steel Richard Rogers Building extension can be seen behind the facade, completed in 2000 and opened by Queen Elizabeth.
In these Lloyd’s Registry editions, Browne, Van Santen & Co. (minus the “Geveke”) is also mentioned as a subscriber on the line above Browne, Van Santen & Geveke, but as subscribed 3 years earlier in 1875 and based in Liverpool. From this, we can deduce the two were a partnership, and Geveke was the one likely based in London, but more on this later.
For now, we can marvel at the origins of our antiques. It’s truly fascinating these two canisters – which appear very much to belong on Dutch soil – actually had their start not far from ground zero of the ship insurance and brokering trade in London, including one of the most well-known international ship registrar and classification societies of modern times.
The location of Browne, Van Santen & Geveke’s office (118) is now purportedly a NatWest bank or a neighbouring real estate office in the One Fen Court corporate office block (also named 120 Fen Court), which is owned by Italy’s largest insurance firm, Generali.
A Brief History of Fenchurch Street: Bombings, Developments & More
Fenchurch Street is a premier address for sure, located in the heart of the City of London, and less than a kilometre from the Thames, London Bridge, Tower of London, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
However, the location of Browne, Van Santen & Geveke’s office (118) is now no longer, having been developed over by the One Fen Court corporate office block. Prior to this (and other developments over the years), the plot(s) nearby appear to have housed the Ironmongers Hall.
The original 120 Fen Court demolition request documents shed more light on what the location was like prior to 2011. But the gist is that the old Fenchurch buildings that housed Browne, Van Santen, Geveke & Co. were likely destroyed in the WWI and WWII bombings:
“The site contains six buildings varying between 5 and 8 storeys in height. They all contain office uses, and there is a bank, 3 shops, a public house and a wine bar on the site. The existing floorspace is 22,680sq.m of offices and 2,720sq.m of retail space.
5.117 Fenchurch Street is an attractive Portland stone building that was
constructed in the 1920s, with a mansard roof added in the 1970s. The other
buildings on the site were built or repaired in the 1950s following war damage
or subsequently refaced or redeveloped.”
It appears that the Ironmongers Hall, located on the same plot off Hogarth Court, also suffered the same fate, but in WWI. Sadly, I discovered that The Cory Buildings mentioned (117 Fenchurch Street, right next door) – developed on the site in 1921 for The Cory Lighterage Company and that miraculously survived WWII – were torn down to build One Fen Court.
The Lombard Street Lloyd’s Coffee House address is no more, either; it’s now a Sainsbury’s, but there is a blue plaque for it. However, the good news is that it lived on much longer than its owner, Edward, relocating to a new address in Pope’s Head Alley in 1769. The back again.
The original Lloyd’s Coffee House shop frontage now belongs to Lloyd’s of London and was even shown in the National Maritime Museum in 2011.
While you won’t find Lloyd’s Coffee House, you will find a blue plaque commemorating it.
Did Browne, Van Santen, Geveke & Co. cohabit Fenchurch with any notable organizations?
Yes, two of these businesses cohabited the area at the same time. Lloyds Registry took ownership of 71 Fenchurch in 1901, a few years after Browne, Van Santen & Co dissolved their partnership, but it is still likely that Browne, Geveke & Co. operated as a sole proprietorship nearby at 102 Fenchurch Street.
In contrast, Lloyd’s Coffee House closed a century prior in 1785. However, it is interesting to note that the area was a well-known maritime insurance brokerage hub long before (and after) Browne & Co. was here.
Multiple Fenchurch Street Addresses
Throughout my research, three Fenchurch addresses listed dating from 1865-1891 (130, then 118, then, finally, 102) were linked to Browne, Van Santen & Geveke.
It’s assumed Geveke was the person who was located in London due to the business name and changes to it. So, is it possible that Geveke had familial links to this particular lot of properties on Fenchurch Street? Or did he possibly own or lease property there?
The area was prey to The Great Fire of London (1666), with much of the land being re-developed thereafter. From this point, the Ironmongers were associated with the area after developing the land, and they had roots in shipping and charity.
The Liverpool Address Is Revealed
Entries in the 1906-7 Lloyd’s Register of British and Foreign Shipping, Volume 2 (pages 654, 776, 805, 908, 1854, and 1951) reveal many things. Browne, Geveke & Co. (Ship and Insurance Brokers and Forwarding Agents) is again mentioned as a subscriber to the Lloyd’s Register Book since 1878, but now at the 102 Fenchurch Street address.
However, the most exciting is that the Liverpool branch address is also revealed: 16 South Castle Street, a historic street in Liverpool with architecture dating back to the late 1700s. Unlike Fenchurch Street, parts of Castle Street managed to evade bombing during WWII, so much of the original 18th- and 19th-century architecture remains.
Supposedly now home to the Rox, 16 Castle Street still sports its original facade and sits within view of Liverpool Old Town Hall and, seemingly, right next to the Sanctuary Stone. This was likely the office (and Netherlands consulate, but more on that later) of Browne, Van Santen & Geveke.
A mosaic on the opposite building (3-5 Castle Street) dating back to the 1880s reveals a history of maritime insurance brokering in the area.
However, there is one issue: Castle Street and South Castle Street are not (exactly) the same street. Well, they are by virtue of linking together, but not in regard to being listed. However, you may not know this because South Castle Street is actually no more, as searching online for it on a map will reveal.
An Emergency Excavation
A PDF titled EXCAVATIONS IN SOUTH CASTLE STREET, LIVERPOOL 1976 AND 1977 by P.J. Davey and R. McNeil reveals this is because South Castle street was developed over. The Liverpool & Knowsley Magistrates Court now sits on top of the area, and South Castle Street is no more. It appears the excavations were also in reaction to the impending construction of the court buildings in 1976.
In an effort to preserve history, two sites were excavated on South Castle Road, the details of which are fascinating.
But does this mean our firm was located somewhere on South Castle Street, not at 16 Castle? Maybe. However, I think it’s also likely that the terms “South Castle” And “Castle” could have been used interchangeably or loosely back then because South Castle Street was technically an extension of Castle Street.
To make matters worse, various archived documents detailing Browne, Van Santen, Geveke & Co.’s address specify 16 Castle Street, not South Castle Street. So we’re likely to never know for sure.
In many instances, only Liverpool is used and likely to cover up the next discovery.
Another (Two) Canisters and a Consulate
The Maritime Museum in Rotterdam is also in possession of another canister, but for the ship, COERT CORNELIS. Interestingly, the museum description reveals that Browne, Van Santen & Co. acted as the vice-consulate of the Netherlands.
“Tin, drum or tube for shipping documents, belonging to the captain of the Rotterdam schooner ship ‘Coert Cornelis, ‘L. Schut The can is the captain offered by Browne Van Santen & Co. in Liverpool. The tin is painted in green with gold-colored letters. The tin has a hinged lid with a protruding eye at the front. The tin can be hung from an eyelet. Browne van Santen & Co was a shipbroking company, but at the same time also the vice-consulate of the Netherlands. The ‘Coert Cornelis’ was built in Hogezand in 1852, for whom it is still unknown. It was a schooner cove built of oak and it measured 117 or 118 tons, with a draft of 10 feet (more than 3 meters). In 1858 the ship is owned by captain/shipowner L. Schut, home port Rotterdam, but in that year a certain DA Klontje captain on the ship. It remains to be determined whether Schut was the owner before.
The ‘Coert Cornelis’ sailed until 1864, in which year it was taken out of service (reason as yet unknown) and then it was owned by captain/ ship owner LK Schut.”
~ Maritime Museum, Rotterdam
Two Local Dignitaries
The Consuls section of Slater’s Classified Trades Directory of Liverpool (pg 40) confirms this, listing Edward Browne as the vice-consul, located at 16 South Castle Street, Liverpool. However, H. S. Van Santen is listed as the consul, meaning both operated the consulate of the Netherlands in Liverpool.
Of both locations (Fenchurch and Castle Street), the Liverpool office, by proximity with the old Town Hall, definitely hints at links to the government. This and the fact that the company omits the exact address from many listing and directory entries hint that Castle Street may have been the official Netherlands consulate address, too.
As consul and vice-consul, Van Santen and Browne would have been been responsible for issuing passports and documents, as well as arranging safe refuge and passage home for Dutch citizens in the UK.
The Directory itself also lists Browne, Van Santen & Co. at the same address under the Brokers-Ships section and in a few other entries. A rarity that only later editions of Lloyd’s reveal.
Aside from the origins of their surnames, due to their consul status, it’s certain that Van Santen and Geveke were of Dutch origin. As such, they probably spoke the language, allowing them to garner Dutch clients or operate as a middleman for them.
Another Link to Lloyd’s Register
A further search of Slater’s Directory reveals another exciting detail. The firm seems to have acted as an office of the German Lloyd’s (Germanischer Lloyd, no connection with Lloyd’s Register) in Liverpool.
Under the Miscellaneous Public Buildings, Offices, etc. section (page 137), Browne, Van Santen & Co. is listed as the “Germanic Lloyd’s.” Page 7 also lists it as the “(Germanic Lloyd’s),” but Browne is misspelt (no “e” at the end).
The two appear to have been very busy juggling consulate and Germanisch Lloyd’s duties with insurance, ship brokering, a commission and forwarding agency, selling Trans-Atlantic tickets, and more!
Does Geveke work for Lloyd’s Register, too?
It is interesting to note that as of 1891 up until 1906, the London office of Browne, Geveke & Co. was listed at 102 Fenchurch Street. Despite the arrangement of numbers, this is supposedly right next door (75 ft / 10 meters away) from the new (and current) Lloyd’s headquarters at 71 Fenchurch Street, which was purchased in 1897 and finished an inhabited in 1901.
It’s very likely that this is no coincidence, and all three – Browne, Van Santen, and Geveke – may have had strong links to Lloyd’s Register and other prominent classification societies of the time. They may have met as a result of this, deciding to partner up in business on the side.
Both addresses – London and Liverpool – are also situated not less than 200-300 meters from the historic St. Albert Docks (Liverpool) and old Custom House (Thames). So, their likely deep-seated involvement in the maritime industry is undeniable.
Germanic Roots
Now, you may be wondering about the German links, and the answer might be simple. Based on his own surname spelling, Edward Browne was likely a partner with Germanic roots. It’s certain Van Santen and Geveke were Dutch, both in name and activity. Geveke to oversee the sale of Dutch/Dutch-owned ships and passages to Dutch territories, and Van Santen to operate as the Dutch consul in Liverpool. They may also have had German mothers and/or Browne, a Dutch mother.
What I do find strange is that Browne, Geveke & Co. never appeared on the priority subscriber list in Lloyd’s volumes that featured one. Typically, the most pre-eminent ship brokering firms would be listed first here in large text with a full line and no subscription date mentioned. Then, the lesser ones in the finer-printed, half-page format section afterwards.
Is this perhaps because Van Santen and Browne’s diplomatic and business links were foreign (The Netherlands, Germany), at least, to the UK where the Lloyd’s Register of British and Foreign Shipping was created? It’s likely.
Canister #4
The existence of another Browne, Van Santen & Geveke (the first time I have seen this spelling in my research) canister was shared by Gert Schouwstra on the Kustvaartforum, labelled for a ship (ALLIANCE) that sunk on March 9, 1878.
Due to this fact and the ship’s documentation, this canister is dated to around 1870/71. Long before Browne, Van Santen & Geveke registered in 1875 for a Lloyd’s Registry subscription, which had been offered since 1764. So, they were definitely operating prior to 1764, as backed up by other records found in the Maritime Historical Data Foundation.
“Here is another one from the ALLIANCE, Captain JL Janssen from Weener. And that gives all the answers.
| The text is BROWNE VAN SANTEN & GEVEKE LONDON, and & BROWNE VAN SANTEN & CO L’POOL
Dating: 1871; The box was used to securely record a logbook and the entries within it. Information about the ALLIANCE: 1870/71 construction of the schooner galliot ALLIANCE in Weener, Length: 22.7 m, width: 5.2 m width, depth: 2.6 m depth March 9, 1878: Sinking in a strong storm from the northwest, rescue of the four sailors. OWNER: Jan Luiken Janssen Sr. (1814 – 1881) from Weener; Captain: probably Jan Luiken Janssen Junior (1849 – 1904) from Weener. Insurance: Edward Browne, Herman Sophia van Santen and John George Geveke in London, as well as Edward Browne and Herman Sophia van Santen & Co in Liverpool; February 1877 Sale to Menne Thomas Dirks and Wilhelm Hinderks Buß from Rorichmoor; Captain: Cornelius Simons de Jonge from Emden.” |
Tracing Browne, Van Santen & Geveke’s Partnership
Here is a brief run-down of the recorded history of Browne, Van Santen, Geveke & Co.
1863: “& Sater”
A Browne, Van Santen & Sater was recorded as far back as 1863 in the British Museum Archives. Sater must have been an even earlier partner, but in Liverpool where the Liverpool Journal of Commerce piece originates.
The journal gives an additional mention of the company in 1875 but does not include Sater this time.
1864: A Hidden Lloyd’s Subscription
The 1906-7 edition of Lloyd’s Register reveals that Geveke was likely involved in the shipping industry long before the partnership was formed. John George Geveke (of Browne, Geveke & Co.) was mentioned as an Annual Subscriber to Lloyd’s since 1864.
It appears that John George was a subscriber to Lloyd’s all along, just as an individual.
1865~: Ship Brokering and Dutch East Indies Passage Ticket Sales
Multiple records on the Maritiem-Historiche Databank (search “Geveke”) show the company was listed as an agent for trips, many of which departed The Netherlands to international shores. In particular, the Cape of Good Hope (modern-day Cape Town) and Java or the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia). Two notable Dutch settlements.
The company was also mentioned as the broker for a number of cargo ships, all of which appear to be Dutch. The earliest of these records is dated July 4, 1865 (around a year after John George Geveke subscribed to Lloyd’s) and lists Browne, Van Santen & Geveke’s address at the time as 130 Fenchurch Street.
1878-1883: A Confused Partnership
The 1878 Lloyd’s Register of Shipping (page viii) only mentions a Browne, Van Santen & Co. based in Liverpool, as a subscriber. Then, the 1879 Lloyd’s Register of Shipping (page viii) only mentions Browne, Van Santen & Geveke as a subscriber at 118 Fenchurch Street (no Liverpool address). Thereafter (from 1880-1883), both addresses were mentioned, with Fenchurch including Geveke, while the Liverpool address, solely Browne, van Santen & Co.
It’s possible the companies initially merged in late 1878 and then split into two branches in 1879 or 1880 prior to the 1880 Lloyd’s Register of Shipping being printed. Or, Lloyd’s may have misunderstood the nature of their partnership, misprinting the 1879 entry. However, I could not find correction notes – sometimes included in the Registry – to back up this theory.
1884-1885: Dropping Van Santen
The branch in Liverpool is renamed Browne, Van Santen & Geveke in the Lloyd’s Register of Shipping 1884 (page ix/0070), dropping the “Co.” So, by this change, we’d assume Geveke expanded operations to Liverpool in late 1883. However, an announcement in the London Gazette on November 23, 1883, says otherwise:
“NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership theretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, Edward Browne, Herman Sophia Van Santen, and John George Geveke, carrying on business at Liverpool, under the style of Browne, Van Santen, and Co., and in London under the style of Browne, Van Santen, and Geveke, as Ship Brokers, Ship Agents, Insurance Brokers, and Forwarding and Commission Agents, was, on the 8th day of September 1883, dissolved.—Dated this 21st day of November. 1883.
Edward Browne.
- S. Van Santen.
- G. Geveke.”
In the 1885 Lloyd’s Register of British and Foreign Shipping, the company is named Browne, Geveke & Co. at both addresses. So it’s possible that the notice pertained more specifically to Van Santen removing himself from the partnership or, at least, any major duties in it. Van Santen would have been around 40-53 years old at the time, according to our estimates.
1886-1891: A Brief Interlude
In 1886, Lloyd’s Register started publishing an additional volume (named the “Universal Register”). Lloyd’s states the Universal Register was a short-lived publication released from 1886-1889 to complement the standard Register. I couldn’t find any mention of Browne, Van Santen & Geveke & Co., acting together or as individuals, as a subscriber in the 1886 or following Universal Register editions (1887, 1888).
However, Browne, Geveke & Co. was listed in the List of Telegraphic Addresses section in the 1887, 1888, 1889, and 1890 Universal editions. For the first time, the firm is also listed as a subscriber to the 1889 Universal edition at both the Liverpool and London addresses.
A Browne, Geveke & Co. is listed as a subscriber in the standard 1888 Lloyd’s Register of British and Foreign Shipping, too, but only at Fenchurch Street, not Liverpool.
So, we can theorize that the two partnership companies were completely (but temporarily) dissolved from 1884 until latest 1887/8, not just the partnership with Van Santen.
Another announcement in the London Gazette, dated January 5th, 1892, backs this up. It also hints at the reason for the initial dissolution of Browne & Co.’s partnership:
“NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, Edward Browne and John George Geveke, carrying on business at Liverpool, and in London, at 102, Fenchurch street, as Shipbrokers, Ship Agents, Insurance Brokers, and Commission and Forwarding Agents, under the style or firm of Browne, Geveke, and Co., has been dissolved, by mutual consent, as from the 31st day of December, 1891. All debts due to and owing by the said late firm in connection with their Liverpool business will be received and paid by the said Edward Browne, and all debts due to and owing by the said firm in connection with their London business will be received and paid by the said John George Geveke. Mr. Browne will continue the business at Liverpool, under the old style of Browne, Geveke, and Co., and Mr. Geveke will similarly continue the business in London, under the old style, but the respective businesses will be entirely separate and distinct.—Dated this 20th day of November, 1891. EDWARD BROWNE.
- G. GEVEKE.”
It appears that both Geveke and Browne had garnered some debts that may have led to issues with the partnership. Or, the businesses may not have been financially viable at the time. This may have resulted in Van Santen removing himself, as well.
However, Browne and Geveke very likely continued as a partnership sometime after 1883 so as to announce the dissolution of it in 1891.
1891~: The Trail Goes Cold
Due to the likely confusion between the two abovementioned Register volumes (the Universal and standard), it appears there’s no 1887 or 1886 version of the non-Universal Lloyd’s Register of British and Foreign Shipping uploaded digitally online. This might be something for Lloyd’s Register to look into.
Some editions and sections thereof are also missing, including the 1891 and 1892 standard Register and that of the 1886 Universal edition. After 1890, the available archived editions appear to be specific to ship types (yachts, steamers, and sailing vessels), too. As far as I could tell, these editions don’t feature a list of subscribers or telegraphic addresses. However, I may just not know where to look.
Overall, these factors make it harder to accurately trace the company’s movements from 1886 to 1892 or after. Due to both companies remaining operational under the same name, it’s now harder to distinguish which is which unless an address is specifically mentioned, as well.
A Decades-Long Partnership
We could argue that John was likely 20-30 years old at the time of commencing business (1863-1865) in order to have remained operational until the late 1890s. So, he may have been born around 1835-1845.
His partners Van Santen and Browne would have likely been around the same age. Marriage records prove Van Santen likely was, as his wife was born in 1830 or 1831.
It’s also revealed that the three (Browne, Van Santen, and Geveke) had actually worked together for over 20 years and the two remaining (Browne and Geveke) for over 25 years, which is not a bad run at all.
Browne, Geveke & Co. After the Final Split (1889-91~)
It appears that Browne, Geveke & Co. was in operation long after 1891, even up until early 1900.
1891: Located in Lewisham
In Kelly’s Directory of Kent, Surrey & Sussex, 1891 (page 393), a John George Geveke was mentioned as living at 2 Camden Road. The entry is in the Lewisham, Kent section, which currently has no Camden Rd, only a Camden Row in nearby Blackheath.
However, as the addresses listed for other people in this section are located in modern-day Lewisham, we can assume that this address also must have been here or nearby. The Directory also mentions the area being close to the Ravensbourne River, which is in modern-day Lewisham.
Notably, Van Santen’s address is listed in the “Private Residents” section, so we can assume no business was taking place here. However, the listing coincides with the 1891 Browne-Geveke partnership split announcement in the London Gazette. So, it’s possible that Geveke had just arrived back from overseas or moved into the area.
1899: Still at Fenchurch Street
The Post Office London Directory, 1899 (page 387, column 2, shown below) reveals that Browne, Geveke & Co. was a tenant at number 102 Fenchurch Street on the first floor of a 3-storey building. It shared the building with Prudential Trust Corporation Ltd., the Standardized Chemical Co. offices., and many more.
Browne, Geveke & Co. shared the first floor of a 3-storey building with four other tenants in 1899.
1901: Multiple Trans-Atlantic Passages to Chile
On 20 June 1901, a Mssrs Browne, Geveke & Company Ltd is recorded arriving in London on the SS Amasis from Antofagasta, Chile. The ship was headed to Hamburg, Germany, according to the public records held by the National Archives, Kew. Another Mssrs Browne, Geveke & Company Ltd was recorded as disembarking in London on the SS Aumbis from Valparaiso, Chile on 9 December 1901
An isochronic map created by the Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society detailing how long it would take to travel to various regions in 1914 (source: the Daily Mail UK).
Considering the timing of the trips (it would take around 30-40 days one-way to reach South America from London, or vice versa), it’s possible both were the same passengers (I.e. either Geveke or Browne). However, it’s also possible that the passenger(s) travelling was/were doing so under the Browne, Geveke & Co. name, them being forwarding agents.
1901-1904: Royal National Life-Boat Institution Donations
According to The Life-Boat Journal of the Royal National Life-Boat Institution (page 145), a Browne, Geveke & Co. donated £2 and 2 shillings to its organization in 1901. In 1904, a Browne, Geveke & Co. donated a further £1 and 1 shilling, according to the 2nd May 1904 Life-Boat Journal edition (page 147).
1906-7: Final Mentions in Lloyd’s Register
Browne, Geveke & Co. are listed as active subscribers in the 1906-7 Lloyd’s Register of British and Foreign Shipping, Volume 2. However, only at 102 Fenchurch Street. The 16 Castle Street location is listed in the List of telegraphic Addresses, though, so both are still operating. It’s possible there are further entries in archives, but both Browne and Geveke should be around 70 years old now, too.
100 Years Later: 1988 and 1986 Iterations of Browne, Geveke & Co.
Interestingly, two Browne, Geveke & Co. Limiteds – one in Scotland and another in Liverpool (yet sharing the same Royal Victoria Hotel Registered Address) – were mentioned as liquidating in the London Gazette dated 20th December 1988.
They had been renamed Brigid May (Land/Liverpool) Limited at some point during their operation. So it’s possible the Liverpool branch of Browne, Geveke & Co. never went out of business, instead passing through to the next generations or new buyers.
A “Browne, Geveke, and Company Limited” was also registered in the UK on 27 Oct 1986, just 100 years after the first Browne, Van Santen & Co. subscription commenced for Lloyd’s Registry of British and Foreign Shipping. This, despite none of the business officers of this new company possessing the surnames Browne or Geveke.
Is it possible the company was formed by a descendant or admirer of the former? Or, perhaps, just a similar encounter with a mysterious “Browne, Van Santen, Geveke & Co.” canister in a thrift shop, museum, or antique store? Some corporations and parent companies do opt for ambiguous business names to obscure their operations, as well.
This new iteration of Browne, Geveke, and Company was renamed General Freight Company Limited in 1994, taken over by PD Ports Hull Limited in 2016, and dissolved in 2021, just after the pandemic hit. So, all of this remains theoretical and unknown.
To Conclude:
The workings of the maritime industry during the 1800s are fascinating, especially that of Browne, Van Santen, Gevek & Co.
And by catering to the in-demand services of the time, such as Trans-Atlantic passages, sales of 19th-century ships, and insurance for ships going to sea with precious cargo. These canisters may be all that remains, but that is more than enough to reveal the story of this enterprising company lost to time.
