Queensland Steam Shipping Company History and Operations

Author

Reads 4.7K

Ship By The Port
Credit: pexels.com, Ship By The Port

The Queensland Steam Shipping Company has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. It was established in 1875.

The company's early years were marked by a series of mergers and acquisitions, which ultimately led to the formation of the Queensland Steam Shipping Company as we know it today.

The company's operations were initially focused on providing passenger and cargo services between the ports of Queensland, Australia. The company's fleet of steamships played a crucial role in the development of the state's economy.

The Queensland Steam Shipping Company's ships were known for their reliability and efficiency, earning the company a reputation as a trusted and reliable operator.

Ships and Operations

The Queensland Steam Shipping Company had a fleet of ships that played a crucial role in its operations. The company's first ship was the SS Gunga, which weighed 189 tons net.

The company's early ships were quite small, with some weighing as little as 89 tons net, like the SS Polly. However, they did have some larger vessels, such as the SS Warrego, which was built in 1883 and weighed 857 tons net.

Credit: youtube.com, Steam Tug FORCEFUL on Ten News Qld | 18 January 2021

Some of the notable ships in the company's fleet included the SS Corea, SS Archer, and SS Truganini, all of which were built in the 1870s and 1880s. Here's a list of some of the company's early ships:

  • SS Corea (606 tons gross, 382 tons net, built 1883)
  • SS Archer (694 tons gross, 440 tons net, built 1883)
  • SS Truganini (203 tons gross 130 tons net, built 1876)
  • SS Gympie (126 tons net, purchased 1883)
  • SS Warrego (1,552 tons gross, 857 tons net, built 1883)
  • SS Maranoa (1,505 tons gross, 805 tons net, built 1883)
  • SS Barcoo (1,505 tons gross, 745 tons net, built 1885)
  • SS Taldora (232 tons gross, 126 tons net, built about 1881-1882)
  • SS Polly (194 tons gross, 89 tons net, built 1883)

Ships

The company's first ship was the SS Gunga, which weighed 189 tons net. This marked the beginning of the company's maritime operations.

One of the earliest ships in the company's fleet was the SS Truganini, built in 1876 and weighing 203 tons gross and 130 tons net.

Some notable ships in the company's fleet included the SS Corea, SS Archer, and SS Polly, all of which were built in 1883. The SS Corea, for example, weighed 606 tons gross and 382 tons net.

Here's a list of some of the company's ships, including their gross and net tons, and the year they were built:

  • SS Corea (606 tons gross, 382 tons net, built 1883)
  • SS Archer (694 tons gross, 440 tons net, built 1883)
  • SS Polly (194 tons gross, 89 tons net, built 1883)
  • SS Truganini (203 tons gross 130 tons net, built 1876)
  • SS Gympie (126 tons net, purchased 1883)
  • SS Warrego (1,552 tons gross, 857 tons net, built 1883)
  • SS Maranoa (1,505 tons gross, 805 tons net, built 1883)
  • SS Barcoo (1,505 tons gross, 745 tons net, built 1885)
  • SS Taldora (232 tons gross, 126 tons net, built about 1881-1882)

The SS Warrego and SS Maranoa were both built in 1883, with the SS Warrego weighing 1,552 tons gross and 857 tons net, and the SS Maranoa weighing 1,505 tons gross and 805 tons net.

Zastava

Aerial View of Cargo Ship on Dock
Credit: pexels.com, Aerial View of Cargo Ship on Dock

The Queensland Steam Shipping Company's Zastava was established in 1887 with a red flag with a white saltire, which was the BI flag color and basic design in reverse.

This flag was later combined with the Australasian Steam Navigation Co to form the Avstralasian United Steam Navigation Co Ltd.

The original BI flag had a red saltire, white saltire, and was not a right-angled version.

The Queensland Steam Shipping Co flag design, as shown by Jonathan, is based on my information from the 8/1986 diary entry by Bob Tompkins, a renowned expert on the subject.

However, it's unclear which version is correct, as there are different interpretations of the written descriptions.

The BI flag was actually a saltire, not a right-angled version with the saltire spread across the flag.

I've since discovered a different version on the biship website, which shows a right-angled flag with a red saltire and white saltire.

It's unclear which version is correct, and I'm still waiting to hear back from the website owner.

The BI flag was indeed a red right-angled flag with a white saltire, as described by Bob Tomkins in his article.

A unique perspective: White Star Line

Clara Donnelly

Writer

Clara Donnelly is a versatile writer with a passion for crafting engaging content across various industries. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she brings complex topics to life through her writing. Her expertise spans a range of topics, including sustainable packaging solutions, where she explores innovative ideas and eco-friendly practices that minimize waste and promote environmental responsibility.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.