Name/TitleCaptain James Deane and the early tugs of Port Phillip, 1855-1892.
About this objectCollection of newspaper extracts which include references to the following steam tugs (1855-1897): 'James Baines', 'Resolute', 'Challenge', 'Despatch', 'Warhawk', 'Mystery', 'Williams', 'Albert the Good', 'Black Boy', 'Lonsdale', 'Advance', 'Melbourne' and 'Sterling' and descriptions of their voyages to Melbourne and the cruises on Port Phillip Bay. Includes comments by James Deane.
NOTE: The pioneers of this colonial fleet were Captain James Deane and Captain James Webb. Their respective agents were Reid, Poole & Co., and Messrs. Huddart, Parker & Co.
MELBOURNE STEAMSHIP Company Limited 1884-1961 : This company had its origins in three separate businesses A and J McIntyre, established in 1854; Hugh R. Reid and Co. (later Reid, Poole and Co.) established in 1861; and James Deane and Co. established in 1864. In 1884 the businesses James Deane and Co., Melbourne Coal Co. and Hobson's Floating Dock Co., were sold to a private company directed by H.R. Reid. Captain James Deane and Captain James McIntyre and managed by Reid's brother-in-law, D. York Syme, who had been connected to the ventures since 1873. In 1884 the businesses, now Melbourne Towage Lighterage Co. Port Phillip Engineering, Shipbuilding and Dock Co. and Melbourne Coal Company were incorporated as the Melbourne Coal, Shipping and Engineering Co. Ltd. Officially registered as a business in 1885. Built up a fleet of colliers bringing coal from Newcastle, New South Wales to Melbourne, including the ownership of several tugboats. The fleet at 1885 included Beeswing, Belle of the West, Hercules, Kelpie, Pharos, Melbourne and Williams. They also owned an engineering workshop. With the advent of the goldrush era in the Western state of Australia, circa 1890-91 they added passenger accommodation to their vessel 'Beeswing' and placed her on that run. In 1892 their new fleet addition, the steamer 'Melbourne' was also despatched to the Fremantle run. In June 1893 they changed the Company name to MELBOURNE SHIPPING Company Limited. In 1895 this concern reconstituted becoming the MELBOURNE STEAMSHIP Company Limited. They opened their first branch in Fremantle in 1898 followed by Sydney (1905), Adelaide (1908) and Newcastle (1909). Replacements and additions were made to the fleet in the 1920s. The last interstate vessel built was "Duntroon" in 1935
In 1961 Howard Smith Ltd took over the company Howard Smith Ltd was in turn acquired by Wesfarmers Ltd in 2001.
Subject and Association KeywordsTugboats
Subject and Association KeywordsDeane, James (Captain)
Subject and Association KeywordsPort Phillip Bay (Vic.)
Subject and Association KeywordsNewspapers
Subject and Association KeywordsShips and shipping
Named CollectionManuscripts Collection
Object TypeDocument
Object numberMS 016049 (Box 027-1)
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved