Clan line livery a question.

[BillH]

Having been viewing numerous photographs used in a recent publication on the Cayzer, Irvine Group I became aware of a variation on the superstructure front.

From sometime in the 50's/60's some of the vessels were adorned with a large painted red oval with the red lion rampant contained therein just below the bridge whereas others had not.

Looking at trials photos of many units of the fleet it did not appear so is presumed to have been added later.

Can anyone say what the reasoning behind this anomally was.

Was it vessels on a specific route?

I would have thought that had it been a company standard then it would have been on all vessels.

Curious

Bill

[Steve P]

Bill
Sure this is not the correct answer, but it's a snippet of information anyway. Most of the 60's built ships had the Clan Line shield mounted on the bow. This would swing inward into the focs'le space creating a portal for a Suez Canal searchlight which all ships transitting the canal, even today, have to carry. Clan Line, if I remember correctly, used to carry their own and other companies would rent from the Suez Canal Company.
Regards Steve