Bay Steamers Limited, Melbourne, cup.

Maker Bay Steamers Limited

Manufacturer Maddock

Datebefore 1974

Object number00007207

NameCup

MediumCeramic

DimensionsOverall: 75 x 105 x 80 mm

ClassificationsTools and equipment

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

England

DescriptionThis white porcelain tea cup was made for Bay Steamers Ltd of Melbourne. Bay Steamers Ltd was founded by Huddart Parker in 1912 to transport passengers and freight around Port Phillip Bay.HistoryHuddart Parker was formed in Geelong in the 1850s and grew on the trade produced by the Victorian gold rush to become a major Australian shipping company by the 1890s. The discovery of gold in Western Australia in the 1890s sparked a boom and several companies competed for service in the trade. They rapidly expanded in the 20th century and became publicly listed in 1911 with the name Huddart Parker Ltd. In 1912 Huddart Parker Ltd founded Bay Steamers Ltd to transport freight and passengers between the Port of Melbourne and Corio Bay and Port Phillip. Five ships were requisitioned during the First World War, with the loss of one. During the inter-war period Huddart Parker expanded into servicing Tasmania with a New Zealand company. Its three passenger ships, ZEALANDIA, WESTRALIA and WANGANELLA were once again requisitioned for the Second World War with ZEALANDIA sinking during the Japanese raid on Darwin in February 1942. Huddart Parker was taken over by Bitumen and Oil Refineries Australia Ltd in 1961.SignificanceThis souvenir tea cup highlights the history of Bay Steamers Limited as an Australian cargo company.