Australasian Steam Navigation Company

The Australasian Steam Navigation Company (ASN Co) was a shipping company of Australia which operated between 1839 and 1887.

This article is about the former shipping company. For the heritage-listed offices and warehouse of the company, see ASN Co building.
Australasian Steam Navigation Company
Public
IndustryTransport / Freight
FateMerged with the Queensland Steam Shipping Company
PredecessorHunter River Steam Navigation Company
SuccessorAustralasian United Steam Navigation Company
Founded1839
Defunct1887
Headquarters
Sydney, New South Wales
,
Australia
ProductsShipping
Former ASN Co offices and warehouse, in The Rocks, Sydney.

Company history

The company was started as the Hunter River Steam Navigation Company in 1839.[1] In March 1851, the company was reformed as the Australasian Steam Navigation Company.[2]

In 1887, the shipping company was amalgamated with the Queensland Steam Shipping Company with their respective vessels in 1887 to form the Australasian United Steam Navigation Company.[3][4]

Ships

The company's ships included:[2][5]

  • Alexandra (590 tons)
  • Auckland, lost June 1871
  • Birksgate (916 tons net)
  • Bonito (77 tons register)
  • Boomerang (stranded 1863)
  • Bunyip (39 tons net)
  • SS Cawarra (lost in April 1866)
  • Cintra (1175 tons net)
  • SS City of Adelaide (117 tons net), built 1863
  • City of Melbourne (615 tons net)
  • City of Sydney, lost 7 November 1862
  • Dingadee (393 tons net)
  • Egmont (419 tons net)
  • Elamang (490 tons net)
  • Eurimbla (598 tons net)
  • Fitzroy (504 tons net)
  • Florence Irving, wrecked December 1877
  • Glanworth (558 tons net)
  • Gunga (798 tons net)
  • Hesketh (393 tons net)
  • James Patterson (387 tons net)
  • Katoomba (489 tons net)
  • Leichardt (459 tons net)
  • Ly-ee-moon
  • Palmer (133 tons net)
  • Porpoise (62 tons net)
  • Queensland (369 tons net)
  • Quiraing (653 tons net)
  • Rangatira, wrecked May 1875
  • Rockton (1198 tons net)
  • Rose (172 tons), their first vessel
  • Shamrock, their second vessel
  • Sovereign
  • Tamar
  • Telegraph, wrecked October 1866
  • Thistle, their third vessel
  • Tenterden (867 tons net)
  • Victoria (934 tons net)
  • Wentworth (610 tons net)
  • Wonga Wonga
  • Wotonga, lost January 1882
  • Yaralla (303 tons net)

Shipwrecks and disasters

Wreck of the Sovereign

On 11 March 1847, the Sovereign was wrecked in the South Passage off Amity Point, North Stradbroke Island, Queensland with the loss of 44 lives; there were 10 survivors.[2][6] While the actions of Captain Cape in the disaster were praised by the survivors, many questions were subsequently raised about the fitness of the vessel for the voyage. An inspection of the wreck showed that the planking and fastenings were not in good condition; the inner planking was described as "perfectly rotten". The engines were said to be suitable for river navigation but not for an ocean voyage to Brisbane. The storage of cargo on the deck was the direct cause of some deaths. There were no lifeboats (not being required at that time). The other concern was the use of the South Passage with its surf and shoals; while it was the shortest route from Sydney, it was not the safest entrance to Moreton Bay.[7]

Loss of the City of Sydney

On 7 November 1862, the City of Sydney was lost at Green Cape, fortunately without loss of life.[2][8]

Stranding of the Boomerang

In 1863, the Boomerang was stranded on the Upper Flats at Rockhampton.[2]

Wreck of the Cawarra

In April 1866, the steamship SS Cawarra was wrecked at Newcastle with the loss of all but one man.[2][9]

Wreck of the Telegraph

In October 1866, the steamship Telegraph was wrecked off Cape Perpendicular.[2]

Loss of the Auckland

In June 1871, the steamer Auckland was lost in fog off the Ram Head.[2]

Wreck of the Boomerang

In June 1874, the Boomerang went ashore near King's Reef.[2]

Stranding of the James Patterson

In August 1874, the James Patterson was stranded on Mast Head Reef.[2]

Wreck of the Rangatira

In May 1875, the steamer Rangatira was totally wrecked.[2]

Fire on the Ly-ee-moon

In November 1877, the Ly-ee-moon was partly destroyed by fire.[2]

Wreck of the Florence Irving

In December 1877, the Florence Irving was wrecked off Port Stephens.[2]

Stranding of the Queensland

In December 1877, the Queensland was stranded in the Fitzroy River.[2]

Loss of the Wotonga

In January 1882, the Wotonga was lost near Port Macquarie.[2]

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See also

References
  1. "Australasian Steam Navigation Company". Flotilla Australia. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  2. "The Australasian Steam Navigation Company". The Argus. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 4 December 1886. p. 10. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  3. "Australasian United Steam Navigation Company". Flotilla Australia. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  4. McKellar, N. L. (Norman Lang) (1977), From Derby round to Burketown : the A.U.S.N. story, University of Queensland Press, ISBN 978-0-7022-1244-4
  5. "Shipping Intelligence". The Telegraph (Brisbane) (852). Queensland, Australia. 22 June 1875. p. 2. Retrieved 8 October 2017 – via National Library of Australia. Used by 1885 New Guinea Exploration Expedition.
  6. "WRECK OF THE SOVEREIGN STEAMER ON THURSDAY MORNING LAST. FORTY-FOUR LIVES LOST". The Moreton Bay Courier. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 13 March 1847. p. 2. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  7. "THE LATE DISASTROUS SHIPWRECK". The Moreton Bay Courier. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 20 March 1847. p. 2. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  8. "S.S. CITY OF SYDNEY". Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners' Advocate. NSW: National Library of Australia. 3 November 1934. p. 7. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  9. "WRECK OF THE STEAMER CAWARRA". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 13 July 1866. p. 5. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
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