Stanley Thompson Edwards
Datec 1955
Object number00030241
NamePhotograph
MediumSilver gelatin print
DimensionsOverall: 495 × 365 × 20 mm, 1.7 kg
Image: 210 × 140 mm
Image: 210 × 140 mm
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from McIlwraith McEacharn Limited
DescriptionA framed photograph of Mr Stanley Thompson Edwards, chairman and managing director of McIlwraith McEacharn.
The attached plaque reads "Mr. S.T. Edwards, Managing Director 1941, Chairman & Managing Director 1947 - 1955".History"The Secretary’s office was opposite the mail desk, which was presided over by Arthur Disher and where No. 1 & No. 2 office boys worked. To the south was the MD’s office and the board room. He had a bell which, when rung, would elicit a response from the office boys to do his bidding. The MD was Stanley Thompson Edwards and Miss Agnes McCallum was his personal secretary and typist. When he dictated letters, his and her initials would appear in the top right hand corner of the note paper and caused much mirth to newcomers – STE:AM.
He was always particular about describing ships correctly. I remember one letter that arrived from interstate headed “KOOLIGA” (no SS or MV etc) and he wrote on it “What is this? A ship or a block of flats?”. He then sent it back."
[http://australianmaritimememories.com/Memories/John-McMeekin.pdf]
- John McMeekin, Australian Ship Owners & Agencies 1944 – 1989
My Memories – Melbourne, Fremantle, Melbourne.
Malcolm McEacharn was a Scottish shipbroker and the son of a master mariner who had died in 1854 when his ship was wrecked in Bass Strait.
Andrew McIlwraith was born into a family of shipowners and two of his brothers were well established businessmen and politicians based in the Australian colonies of Queensland and Victoria. Within a year of forming, McIlwraith McEacharn had won a major contract with the Queensland Government to provide six ships for two years, transporting British migrants to Australia. When the contract between McIlwraith McEacharn and the Queensland Government ended in the 1880s, the company's ships instead conveyed wool and passengers.
Around this time McIlwraith McEacharn gained some notoriety as pioneers of frozen and refrigerated sea transport. Throughout next few decades, McIlwraith McEacharn became involved in mining and transportation services, and strengthened its hold on passenger shipping. By the 1980s coal had become the major focus of McIlwraith McEacharn and the company sold its remaining shipping interests. In 1992 the remainder of the business was traded to a US company and lost the 19th century name.
SignificanceMcIlwraith McEacharn Limited originated in London in 1875, going on to become one of the largest and most successful companies operating in Australia throughout the following century.