Captain Benjamin Coull has been in command of Ayrshire since October 1903, when she started upon her maiden voyage.

Captain Coull was born in 1855, at Lossiemouth, in the north of Scotland, where he was educated. He served an apprenticeship of four years at sea, and became master of a small sailing ship in May, 1881, which is the date of his certificate.

Since that time, Captain Coull has been master of several vessels.

He joined the Shire Line in 1880, and had charge of five different vessels before being entrusted with the fine steamer of which he is now in command.