Hugh Hogarth

Hugh Hogarth (1840 – 1904), Founder of the Baron Line

On the 24th of April, 1904, Hugh Hogarth, founder of the Baron Line died at his home, 8 South Crescent, Ardrossan. Hugh was born on 11 August 1840 in Stevenston, the youngest of six children born to parents Robert Hogarth and his wife Ann Barclay. His siblings were John (who would become the 2nd Provost of Ardrossan), Robert, Ann, James and Findlay. His parents Robert Hoggart and Ann Barclay were married 14 July 1820 in Stevenston.

Hugh along with his family and paternal grandparents John Hogarth and Mary Findlay attended Stevenston High Kirk, whose minister was then Rev. Dr David Landsborough. Rev. Landsborough conducted three censuses of his parishioners in 1819, 1822 and 1836. The 1822 census reveals that Robert Hogarth and his family were living at Mill Hill, Stevenston. The Hogarth’s were still living at Mill Hill, Stevenston in 1851 at which time 10-year-old Hugh was in school and his father Robert was employed as a Painter

In 1862 Hugh set up ‘Goodwin and Hogarth’ Ships Store Merchants in partnership with Captain James Goodwin at Dock Road, Ardrossan. As the business prospered and they developed trade interests with eastern Canada, they took the decision to expand into ship owning. They bought their first ship ‘Fearless’ on 29 August 1868. Built in Nova Scotia, the wooden brigantine had one deck and two masts, weighing 238.60 gross tons. A year later, on 22 November 1869, they added the “Duke of Wellington” built in Dumbarton, weighing 468.34 tons with two decks and three masts, it was twice the size of the ‘Fearless’. Regrettably in 1870 both ships were lost at sea, but by then they had added the ‘Kate’. Their partnership began to dissolve from 1875 onwards, and in 1878 when the partnership ended, Hugh took with him the ships G.A. Coonan, Josephine, Mary Hogarth and Drumadoon. Captain James Goodwin died in June 1879 in Ardrossan.

In 1880 Hugh Hogarth moved his ship-owning business to Glasgow. He bought the first steamship which would form the Baron Line in 1881, named ‘Baron Ardrossan’ and in 1883 he took possession of the full-rigged sailing ship “Machrihanish” built specifically for him by Robert Duncan of Port Glasgow. She was followed by the Ochtertyre (1885), Corryvrechan (1885), Ardnamurchan (1890), Ballachulish (1892) and Conintraive (1892).

In 1898 Hugh formed the Hogarth Shipping Company Limited and in 1901 the firm’s name was changed to H. Hogarth and Sons Ltd. In addition to the Baron Line, Hogarth’s also owned several other ships.

Hugh Hogarth and Mary McFee, daughter of shipmaster Dugald McFee and Sarah Crawford, were married on 28 February 1866 at Montgomerie Street, Ardrossan by Rev. John D. McCall, Minister of the New Parish Church, Ardrossan (later renamed Barony Church). They had nine children: Sarah Crawford, Ann Barclay, Charles Dougald, Samuel Crawford, Hugh, Douglas Mary, Mabel Mary, Janet Alice and Barclay. Sadly, two of their children, son Charles Dougald and daughter Douglas Mary died around the age of two.

In 1881 the Hogarth family were living at Clutha Villa, Montgomerie Street, Ardrossan. Interestingly the 1885 valuation roll reveals that the property was owned by Hugh’s wife. Between 1885 and 1891 they moved to 8 South Crescent, Ardrossan which had 17 rooms.

As well as running his business, Hugh Hogarth took a key interest in the affairs of Ardrossan. He was a member of the Ardrossan Academy committee prior to it being taken over by the school board; in June 1876 he was elected the first Secretary of the Ayrshire Shipowners’ Association; on 11 March 1892 he was elected Chairman of the Clyde Underwriting and Freight Demurrage. An incredibly busy man, he was also Director of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway Company; Director of the Ardrossan Harbour Board and was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Ayr. In 1903 he was appointed Chairman of the North of England Protecting and Indemnity Association and at the time of his death was Vice-President of the Glasgow Shipowners’ and Shipbrokers’ Benevolent Association.

On Saturday 23rd April 1904 Hugh Hogarth was working in his office in Glasgow as usual. On Sunday 24th April, while at an evening church service, he suddenly took ill and was taken to his home. He died at 7.30pm at 8 South Crescent, Ardrossan, aged 63 from a heart attack. He was buried in Ardrossan Cemetery on 28 April 1904.

At the time of his death H. Hogarth and Sons Ltd owned ten ships which had been prefixed by “Baron”. He was succeeded by his eldest son Samuel Crawford Hogarth under whose guidance the sailing ships were slowly disposed of, and the fleet of ‘Baron’ steamers expanded. The last of the Baron Line was added in 1976, named Baron Pentland (III). In total 127 ships had at one time formed part of the Baron Line. Named for Scottish Barons, they were all registered at Ardrossan.

For further information and a complete list of the ships read “H. Hogarth & Sons Limited: Baron Line” published by The World Ship Society, 1976.