Anchor Line was a great shipping company with a history of 140 years after being established by Handyside and Henderson in 1852. In later years, only cargo-liners and gas tankers were operated after Viscount Runciman and Moor Line of Newcastle had purchased and gained control of Anchor Line in 1965. After 1968, Anchor Line vessels began to fly the original white swallowtail houseflag bearing a red diagonal anchor at the main, with the Moor Line houseflag at the foremast. A smaller version of the Moor Line houseflag was then adopted, which flew superior to the Anchor Line flag.