Dear Friends,

The origin of the Shell company is related with a small store in London
funded by Marcus Samuel in 1833. This store is specialized in antiquities an
curiosities, included oriental shells, very appreciated in this Victorian
époque.
This activity was been very retable and the import/export to the orient is
started. In 1870, Marcus Samuel Senior is died and there sons keep the
business. In 1897 is funded the Shell Transport and Trade Limited. The name
Shell is in honor of the old business. The first Oil thank ship is named
Murex.

Eduardo A. Miranda
([log in to unmask])

====================================
NATURAE - Gabinete de Historia Natural, Lda.
Apartado 234
P-2796 LINDA A VELHA
Portugal

Fax: +351-1-4190583
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
Web: http://www.naturae.pt
====================================

-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 9.Jun.99 20:09
Subject: Re: Shell Oil Tankers


>As I understand it they supplied the buttons for the button industry from
top
>shells. When plastics came about there went their business, but before that
>oil was discovered in the Orient and the only fleet of ships that was
>available to start shipping the oil (in barrels in those days) was the
shell
>oil companies. Now I think I read that someplace, but as I get older my
>memory isn't always what it use to be, so it may just be another urban
>legend. Or is it?
>
>Frank Walker
>