Nick, I did a quick web search for "duncan shipowner" and thought 'bingo' when I soon came across the following page: http://www.dmcsoft.com/tamh/history.php?tamhid=419 Mention of the Gem Line therein initially made me think your man must have been a big player indeed. However, it raises more questions than it answers! The famous and quite familiar Gem Line, which did have ships named after jewels and stones, actually continued operating until 1978 and had been started by William Robertson of Glasgow. It was when I turned to the history of the company: WILLIAM ROBERTSON AND THE GEM LINE by Roy Fenton and Philip Robertson (Ships in Focus Publications, 2009) that things began to become more mysterious. Apart from the company not being dispersed in 1910, as stated in the Dundee item, I can find no mention of management by Duncan, or others, in the book. On the Dundee page the photo of the BERYL does not match either of the ships of that name owned by Robertson's Gem Line, one built 1893, the other in 1924. So unless, in my ignorance, there was another Gem Line, based in Dundee, running ships with identical names, it seems there is some doubt on the web article I found, even though it seems to substantiate what you suppose. (but, see below!!) So, although I bring this to your attention, I am in some doubt as to its accuracy. Sorry! I hope other Listers can sort things out for you. (now read on!!) But now I have also found: http://www.dmcsoft.com/tamh/article.php?articleid=25 It may be there was, indeed, a different Gem Line!! I think this must, after all, be an accurate reflection of the shipowning side of your man's business. Digging a bit further, a web search for "dundee gem line" produces quite significant information and some ship photos. It seems I started off on completely the wrong track, but I thought I would leave in all of the above to show my own (erroneous) thought processes!!! So, albeit confusing, I hope after all that this is of some help to your research. Ron Mapplebeck (UK) **** On 01/08/2011 19:37, nicholas wilson wrote: > Hello, > > I am new to the List and looking for help in learning something of the > coastal shipping calling at ports in the Firth of Tay, i.e Dundee, etc,. in > the late 19th century > > My particular target is the Duncan family; Peter Miller Duncan and his son, > James Duncan, both of whom are described in the the censuses of the day as > coal merchants and steamship owners. Knowing little else of them I put > the two businesses together and came to the conclusion they must have been > collier owners. > > The other families involved were the Methvens of Broughty Ferry on the Angus > bank and the Irelands of Ferry Port of Craig (Tayport) on the Fifeshire bank > > Thanks, > > Nick > > Richmond, B.C. > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MARINERS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >