History

Business in Seaham after the war was slow, and Archie moved on, leaving his brother Alf to run the shipbroking business. This continued to follow the changing fortunes of the Seaham Harbour Dock Company over the years and during the early 1960s, when trade was slack, Alf worked for a while in ship management with F T Everard & Sons in Greenhithe, appointing Billy Hunter, formerly of the South Hetton Coal Company, to manage Amundsen & Smith during his absence.

Alf returned to Seaham in 1971 and to his great regret became involved with a shipbroker named Arthur Reynolds of Rye, who promised great things and became the major shareholder in the company but ended up in serious legal and financial difficulties.

With the help of good friends, the business was rescued from Reynolds, and in 1975, following many years of close co-operation with Hartlepool shipbrokers Smith, Hogg & Company Ltd, Alf and his wife Marguerite sold the company to them, with Alf continuing as Managing Director.
Sadly, Alf died of cancer in June 1977 and Smith Hogg appointed David Strath, formerly of shipowners Hunting of Newcastle, as manager.

David was succeeded in 1983 by Martin Macray who came to the company from another Newcastle shipowner, Stag Line. Martin joined the board in 1985, and with the energetic support and assistance of Agency Manager Norman Kelly has expanded and diversified the company's activities, building up an enviable reputation for first-class, personal service to a wide range of principals and clients.

From their base in Seaham and a sub-office in Blyth, Amundsen & Smith now offer a full port agency service in all North Eastern ports from Berwick upon Tweed to Seaham Harbour, as well as short-sea chartering, specialist forwarding and customs work.

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