The house flag of William Sloan and Co., Glasgow. A rectangular blue flag with a white diamond bearing the red letters 'WS & Co'. The flag is made of a wool and synthetic fibre bunting. It has a cotton hoist and is machine sewn. A rope and toggle is attached. William Sloan was introduced to the shipping business as part of his uncle, Charles Tennant's company the St. Rollox Chemical Works. In 1825 a group of investors purchased three ships to transport products from this company in Glasgow to Newcastle, Hull and London. William Sloan purchased a number of shares of his first ship, the ‘Glasgow Packe’t in 1931. At the beginning of the 1840's, the company owned and operated 15 vessels. The partnership began trading under the name of William Sloan and Company in 1848. A weekly steamer sailing was introduced by the company in 1852, the same year the company purchased the Thames and Clyde Screw Shipping Company. In 1858 the company began its most popular service, from Glasgow via Belfast to Bristol and Swansea. William Sloan died in 1910, leaving only one of the original partners in the company surviving —William's nephew George. The company lost two ships during World War I, but quickly began ordering new ships in the 1920's. In 1932 the company decided to remove any remaining passenger accommodation aboard its ships, due to the lack of demand. World War II resulted in no losses for the company (it only had 5 ships at the beginning of the war). During the 1950's the company made the switch from coal to oil fuel, and during this time it also began transferring its dwindling line of vessels to other companies. The last Glasgow to Bristol sailing for William Sloan and Company was made in 1965, and the last three vessels were transferred to Coast Lines Ltd.William Sloan was introduced to the shipping business as part of his uncle, Charles Tennant's company the St. Rollox Chemical Works. In 1825 a group of investors purchased three ships to transport products from this company in Glasgow to Newcastle, Hull and London. William Sloan purchased a number of shares of his first ship, the ‘Glasgow Packe’t in 1931. At the beginning of the 1840's, the company owned and operated 15 vessels. The partnership began trading under the name of William Sloan and Company in 1848. A weekly steamer sailing was introduced by the company in 1852, the same year the company purchased the Thames and Clyde Screw Shipping Company. In 1858 the company began its most popular service, from Glasgow via Belfast to Bristol and Swansea. William Sloan died in 1910, leaving only one of the original partners in the company surviving —William's nephew George. The company lost two ships during World War I, but quickly began ordering new ships in the 1920's. In 1932 the company decided to remove any remaining passenger accommodation aboard its ships, due to the lack of demand. World War II resulted in no losses for the company (it only had 5 ships at the beginning of the war). During the 1950's the company made the switch from coal to oil fuel, and during this time it also began transferring its dwindling line of vessels to other companies. The last Glasgow to Bristol sailing for William Sloan and Company was made in 1965, and the last three vessels were transferred to Coast Lines Ltd. (Research: Rebecca Hernandez)