The Adelaide Steamship Company Ltd

The Adelaide Steamship Company was formed by a group of South Australian businessmen in 1875. Their aim was to control the transport of goods between Adelaide and Melbourne and profit from the need for an efficient and comfortable passenger service. For the first 100 years of its life, the main activities of the company were conventional shipping operations on the Australian coast, primary products, consumer cargoes and extensive passenger services. In the early 20th century predictions on a great future for the Eyre Peninsula prompted Adelaide Steamship Company to buy new ships for the trade in Spencer Gulf. The Rupara and Paringa were bought from the United Kingdom. This was the beginning of the 'Gulf Trip Excursions'. From Saturday to Thursday the ships made the round trip from Port Adelaide, Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln and home. This trade was not as successful as hoped and ships were soon diverted to other routes to the west. The offices of the company remain at Port Pirie with the house flag still showing alonmg with the company name across the front and etched into the left window and fanlight over the door.