STORM AND COMPANY (PTY) LTD
of - DURBAN. JOHANNESBURG. CAPE TOWN. PORT ELIZABETH. EAST
LONDON.
"SEVENTY FIVE YEARS OF PROGRESS" was issued in 1955. It placed on record the growth and achievements of STORM & COMPANY (PTY) LTD., (Shipping, Forwarding, Customs Clearing and Insurance Agents, Bonded and Free Warehousmen, Cartage Contractors and Stevedores), on the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the company by Captain William Storm in 1880.
The introduction was provided by the then Mayor of Durban, Councillor R.A. Carte.
"……Shipping is the greatest single industry in Durban. Durban was born as a port and it is today the principal harbour in Southern Africa. What was barren reclaimed land is today covered by railways, modern industries and warehouses. Where rough wooden jetties served wooden ships, today are concrete wharves carrying electric cranes and modern devices for loading and off-loading ships.
…………This record has been prepared both as a momento and as a tribute to those whose efforts have aided this progrss in so important a branch of Durban's shipping. In congratulating the Company on its 75 years of progress, I would add my good wishes for an equally progressive future. "
The story began in 1873 with the arrival of Captain William Storm in Natal in command of the barque Teaser, 283 tons, having made the fastest passage of that time - 65 days from the English Channel. Interestingly William was only 26 years of age, a young man in a position of great responsibility even for those strenuous adventurous times.
The primitive harbour of that time presented an challenge but William did not settle until he returned there in 1879 to take up an appointment in Sir Donald Currie's shipping business. After one year William set himself up as a shipping agent with a business that now covers four acres at Maydon Wharf. In 1873 William had married Laura Cecilia Bornholm of Elsinoire, Denmark and thus it happened that William became Danish Consul in Durban for some 35 years.
As the business grew his sons, Charles, James and William joined the firm thus creating the company known as Storm and Sons. In 1907 the business was reorganised as Storm and Company with Charles in charge of finance, James as the business manager, and William jnr as the outdoor manager dealing with agents and captains, and William snr as consultant. In 1921 William snr died at the age of 75 and flags were flown at half mast throughout the port. A familiar, well loved and respected figure of the shipping world had passed away.
In time James's son, Frank, having been on war service and been farming returned to the company and became Chairman. The business grew and established subsidiaries in other ports and cities, namely Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Johannesburg and East London. In these locations the several parts of the business expanded and there are now substantial interests not only in Warehousing, Road Transport, Stevedoring, Customs Clearing and Forwarding, but also importing, exporting and air freight.
So has grown and expanded the firm which was founded in 1880 by Captain William Storm the son of John Harrison Storm, shipowner(1819-1898) of Robin Hood's Bay. Interestingly Sir John Philip Lawson can remember in his youth meeting members of the Durban Storm families when they visited Whitby. They met at the home of his aunts, Adelina and Constance Rose in Crescent Avenue. All concerned show descent from John Harrison Storm.
A link to a South African hero might also be mentioned. William's grandson, William Lloyd Storm 1918-1976, was a cousin by marriage of Major Edwin E. Swales SAAF VC DFC. [click here]
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