Wessel Duval & Company

Augustus Hemenway had timberland in Maine and started his schooner shipping company to take timber to Eastcoast ports.

[1] In 1865 Héctor Beéche (?-1914) became a partner in the firm and a subsidiary company, Wessel, Duval y Cía, was founded in Chile by Charles P. Hemenway, Augustus's brother.

In 1885 Muller retired and Carlos Wolff joined the partnership, the company name was changed to Hemenway, Beeche and Co..

In 1888 Peter "Perdo" M. Wessel (1851-1821) joined the partnership and the company name was changed to Browne, Beeche and Co..

The West Coast Line started regular service from New York City to Valparaiso and Callao, Peru.

The Chile rail firm, Ferrocarril del Llano de Maipo in Santiago used Wessel, Duval & Co. to import their railroad equipment in 1890.

In from 1920 to 1932, West Coast Line was the US agent for Compania Sud Americana de Vapores, the South America Steamship Company of Chile.

The most common armament mounted on these merchant ships were the MK II 20mm Oerlikon autocannon and the 3"/50, 4"/50, and 5"/38 deck guns.

Ad from 1895 showing the partnership between Wessel Duval & Company and the Chile Railroad. Wessel Duval & Company offering service direct from New York City to Valparaiso, Chile.
Rate-add card for Compania Sud Americanade Vapores service from Chile to New Your through agent Wesse Duval and Company from 1924
A VC2-S-AP2 type Victory ship
SS John W. Brown , one of four surviving Liberty ships in 2000