In May 1853 the Clarence Railway, Stockton and Hartlepool Railway and the Hartlepool Dock and Railway Company (formed in 1831) were amalgamated to form the West Hartlepool Harbour and Railway Company. After the West Hartlepool Shipping Company ceased trading under that name in 1853, Ralph Ward Jackson transferred his interest to the newly formed Company. He purchased a fleet of ships which were sometimes known as sailing under the West Hartlepool and Hamburg Steam Packet Company.
Ralph Ward Jackson was Chairman and other Directors were; William Charles Ward Jackson of Greatham Hall; Charles Swainson of Cooper Hill, Preston; John Winstanley of Preston; Robinson Watson of Stockton-on-Tees; Charles Barrett and Cuthbert Wigham of West Hartlepool.
The Company was the forerunner to The WHSNC.
After it was discovered that the Company had been running at a loss in 1861 Ralph Ward Jackson resigned in April of 1862 and the ships were sold off to Pile, Spence & Co.
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West Hartlepool Harbour and Railway Company
