Mackenzie Maritime traces its origins to one of the pioneer British companies in East Africa; the Smith Mackenzie & Company.

A private ledger, with first entries dating from March 1850, records that the senior partner, Robert Mackenzie, had invested Rs 32,505 (nearly £2500), William Mackinnon Rs 20,530 (nearly £1500) and James Hall, who also joined the company in its early days, Rs 19,082 (or just over £1000). The net profit for 1850 was calculated as Rs 16,171 and for 1851, Rs 68,604, equivalent to nearly £5000, which was distributed among the partners according to their initial investment. Thus, after approximately four years of trading (dating from 1847) the partners had received dividends in excess of the value of their original investment.

The most significant early entrepreneur in our sample, in terms of his role in the formation of partnerships which were subsequently to join the Inchcape Group, was William Mackinnon. Originally employed by a Portuguese East India merchant in Glasgow, in 1847 he ventured out to Calcutta, at first working at a sugar refinery in nearby Cossipore. It is not known whether or not he paid his own passage out. Shortly afterwards, he joined a fellow Campbeltown man who already managed a general mercantile business, dealing in importing British piece goods and exporting local tea, sugar, hides, saltpetre, indigo, shellac and rice.

Lloyds provided another valuable agency,new offers came from all quarters.

During 1887 Sir William Mackinnon was offered by the Sultan of Zanzibar a concession on the mainland. The imperial British East Africa Company was formed. Sir William was the chairman of the B.I.S.N. Co. and the close connection between Smith Mackenzies and the I. B.E. A. proved a godsend. It was obvious that an office had to be opened in Mombasa.

Reference: www.friendsofmombasa.com

Cont....