Norton Lilly International
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipping, logistics |
| Predecessor | Norton Lilly & Company |
| Founded | 1841 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | John Norton Jr. |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | United States, Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, Pacific regions |
Key people | Edward N. Norton, Joseph Thomas Lilly |
| Products | Shipping lines, maritime logistics services |
Norton Lilly International traces its origins back to 1841 when it was established as Norton Lilly & Company in New York City by John Norton Jr. The firm initially operated shipping lines connecting Florida with the West Indies. John Norton Jr., born in Eastport, Maine in 1816, acquired maritime expertise through his involvement with Russell & Norton beginning in 1840. By 1851, the company had extended its service routes to Australia and South America, utilizing packet sailing vessels. In 1854, John Norton Jr. and his son Edward N. Norton inaugurated their own agency, managing the sailing ship Sea Flower based out of Pensacola, Florida. Augustus Norton, the second son of John, became part of the business in 1878. After the passing of Augustus in 1889 and John Norton Jr. in 1890, Edward continued to lead the enterprise and brought Joseph Thomas Lilly into partnership in 1907, resulting in the rebranding to Norton Lilly & Company.
Norton Lilly & Company was instrumental in supporting maritime operations during both World War I and World War II.
Norton Lilly International
In 2002, Norton Lilly & Company expanded through strategic alliances with Strachan Shipping Agency, Nortec Canada, Norton Lilly Panama, and Kerr Steamship Company (Ker Norton Marine). Presently, Norton Lilly International offers comprehensive logistics services for dry bulk carriers, tanker vessels (including gas and oil), refrigerated ships, container vessels, and passenger ships at over seventy ports worldwide.
The company maintains a strong presence across key U.S. harbors such as Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Miami, New York-New Jersey, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Savannah, Long Beach-Los Angeles, San Francisco-Oakland, Seattle, among others. Its Canadian offices are located in Montreal, Stephenville, Halifax, and Vancouver. In the Caribbean region, offices operate in San Juan, Panama City/Balboa, Bridgetown, St. Croix, and Trinidad. Mexican offices are situated in Mexico City; Veracruz; Altamira/Tampico; Coatzacoalcos (Pajaritos Terminal); Tuxpan; Mazanillo; Lazaro Cardenas; Ensenada/Rosarito; Progreso; and Altamaritima. The Pacific locations include Guam, Saipan, and Honolulu. Operations in Panama cover Panama City-Balboa and Cristobal.
Norton Lilly Management Corp. - World War II
During the Second World War, Norton Lilly Management Corp. managed Merchant Marine vessels under contracts with the United States Shipping Board. The company participated in charter shipping coordinated by the Maritime Commission and War Shipping Administration by operating Liberty ships for the merchant navy fleet. Crews from Norton Lilly handled ship operations while United States Navy Armed Guards were assigned to operate deck guns and communication equipment.
World War II Ships
Liberty ships managed included:
- Nachman Syrkin
- Laurence J. Gallagher
- SS Harold Dossett
- Henry Bergh – lost after running aground near Farallon Island off California
- SS Donald W. Bain
- SS Melville E. Stone – sunk by torpedo south of Panama in 1943
- John Colter
- Thomas Condon
- William H. Moody
- Clyde Austin Dunning
- Samdon
- Sameveron
Additional vessel:
- War Drake
Postwar Liberty ship:
- Joel Chandler Harris