In 1730, the third year of the reign of King George II, two brothers, Ralph and Robert Clarke, bought shares in a 300-ton sailing vessel. Their enterprise would become Stephenson Clarke Shipping, which in recent years  has specialized in the shipment of short sea bulk cargoes.  Last week, Stephenson Clarke filed for liquidation.  In 2008, the company operated a fleet of ten bulk carriers. By the end of 2011, the fleet had been reduced to two. On Thursday of last week, the last ship was sold. Stephenson Clarke, the oldest shipping company in Great Britain, becomes part of history.