Duncan Dunbar

Duncan Dunbar (September 18036March 1862) was a Scottish businessman and London-based shipowner who established what was described as the largest shipping line in Great Britain. He was also the first chairman and a founder of the London Chartered Bank of Australia.

Early life Dunbar was born in September 1803 at 7Fore Street, Limehouse, Middlesex. His father, Duncan Dunbar senior, had moved to London in the 1790s and established a successful business as a brewer and wine merchant at Dunbar Wharf. He also founded the London Chartered Bank of Australia in 1852.

Ships

Duncan Dunbar owned a large fleet of sailing ships, which were employed in the New Zealand and Australian emigrant trades, the transportation of convicts, the carriage of cargo, and as troopships, including during the Crimean War. His vessels were built both in Britain and at his shipyard in Moulmein, Burma. A substantial part of his fleet was built at Sunderland by James Laing & Sons.

Dunbar was particularly active in the transportation of convicts to Western Australia. Twelve of the 33 ships that transported convicts there between 1850 and 1868 were owned by him. Ten of his vessels were chartered by the Admiralty for the transportation of convicts, carrying 2,235 men on eleven voyages. Six of these were built at Sunderland: Minden, Nile, Phoebe Dunbar, Pyrenees, Sultana, and the barque Ramillies.

Notable vessels Vessel Year Builder Association with Dunbar Isabella 1818 Owned by Dunbar Agincourt 1844 James Laing & Sons Built for Dunbar; owned by him from 1845 Sea Park 1844 James Laing & Sons Owned by Dunbar; transported convicts to Western Australia Randolph 1849 James Laing & Sons Built for and owned by Dunbar Phoebe Dunbar 1850 James Laing & Sons Built for Dunbar & Sons; named for his mother, Phoebe Hougoumont 1852 Built for Dunbar Dunbar 1853 James Laing & Sons Built for Dunbar Northfleet 1853 Built for Dunbar La Hogue 1855 James Laing & Sons Built for Dunbar Cospatrick 1856 Built at Moulmein for Dunbar Duncan Dunbar 1857 James Laing & Sons Built for Duncan Dunbar & Co.

Death

Dunbar died at his home at Porchester Terrace, Paddington, on 6March 1862 Dunbar left £1,500,000 in his will. All 39 of his ships were sold within two years of his death. Dunbar was a Conservative and frequently declined offers of a seat in Parliament, saying that he was "much too busy"; he gave the same reason for remaining a bachelor.