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McILWRAITH McEACHARN & COMPANY Pty Ltd

Date1914

Object numberANMS0600[007]

NameDocument

MediumPaper, ink

DimensionsOverall: 327 x 212 mm

ClassificationsBooks and journals

Credit LineANMM Collection McIlwraith McEacharn Limited

Terms

DescriptionA typed manuscript from 1914 outlining the history of the shipping company McIlwraith McEacharn & Company Pty Ltd. Written / edited by A. W. McIlwraith.HistoryMcILWRAITH McEACHARN & COMPANY Pty Ltd. The Firm of McIlwraith McEacharn & Company was established in London in February 1875, the partners being Mr Andrew McIlwraith of Ayre, Scotland, and Mr M.D. McEacharn, of London. The business conducted was that of Ship and Insurance Brokers. Shortly after starting business, the barque COSTA RICA PACKET and SIR WILLIAM WALLACE were purchased. These two vessels were followed by a fine fleet of new sailing ships built especially for the Queensland Emigrant trade, and which ran under the flag of the “Scottish Line”. In addition to shipping, the Firm did a large merchandise business with Australia and received consignments of wool, meats, pearl shell, and other produce for sale in the London market. Among the Firm’s first ventures was the charter of the steamer STRATHLEVEN, the pioneer steamer of the frozen meat trade. Recognising the possibilities of the trade, the FirM had her specially fitted with refrigerating chambers in order to test whether frozen meat could be carried to England from Australia. Mr McEacharn came to Australia to purchase cattle, butter, and other produce, and to give a personal supervision to the frozen meat venture. The experiment was wholly successful, and laid the foundation of the trade which has since grown to such proportions. It did not take long for the firm to grasp the potentialities of Australia, and in 1880 it purchased the well known merchandise and shipping business of Walter Reid & Company Ltd, Rockhampton, which has grown into a huge concern, with ramifications all over Queensland. In 1887 the business of M.M. & Co had extended to such an extent that it was found necessary to open a Branch Office in Melbourne, under the direction of Mr McEacharn. Commencing first with a general agency and merchandise business, the firm soon entered into the coal and shipping trade. The first steamers to begin operations were the NORKOOWA and TAGLIAFERRO, followed by the CLONCURRY, NEW GUINEA and FEDERAL and later by the COOLGARDIE and KALGOOLIE. A large coal business was quickly acquired, necessitating the employment of newer and more modern steamers, among these being the COOEYANNA, KOORINGA, ASHRIDGE, KOMURA, KOOYONG, KOONDA AND KOOLONGA, the latter steamers being still employed in the Interstate Coal and General cargo trade. With a view to meeting the requirements of the large and growing Interstate Passenger trade, the well known passenger steamer KAROOLA was built in 1909, her advent causing quite a stir with the lavish and superior passenger accomodation provided. Not content with this, the KATOOMBA, a larger and even more magnificent steamer, was built about twelve months ago [1913], and it may safely be said that no two finer steamers can be met with in any coastal trade in the world. Since these two steamers began running they have become popular favorites, and their passenger accomodation[sic] always fully taxed. [Note.This above sentence was crossed out and a lead pencil sentence made over it: It reads: “The KAROOLA [sic] has been running for the past two years as a Hospital Ship while the KATOOMBA maintains a 4 weekly service between Sydney & Newcastle via ports.”] With a fine turn of speed – each steamer being capable of doing from 17 to 18 knots – they keep their time-table with unfailing punctuality. In 1891 the Firm of McIlwraith McEacharn & Company was converted into a Limited Liability Company, and later on to a Proprietary Company. In addition to their Australian coal and shipping interests, the Company have large industrial connections in the East and elsewhere, and hold a controlling interest in several well known undertakings. [Note: This above sentence has been crossed out with lead pencil] Branches have been established at Sydney and all round the Coast, and at Melbourne, Adelaide, Albany, and Fremantle, the Company do a large Bunkering trade with a fleet of hulks at these ports. At Fremantle and Perth, the Swan River trade is catered for by the twin-screw passenger steamers ZEPHYR and WESTRALIAN, together with a fleet of tugs and cargo lighters. [Note: This above sentence has been crossed out wih lead pencil] Mr M.D. McEacharn, who afterwards received the honour of knighthood, and was well known in public life in Melbourne, died in March, 1910. The Head Office of the Company is at Melbourne, the Directors being – Mr David Hunter (Chairman), Mr D.B. Fullarton, and Mr A. Niven. In London the Directors are – Mr Andrew McIlwraith, Sir Thomas B. Robinson, and Mr Robert Gambles. SignificanceMcIlwraith, McEacharn & Co. was an early and successful shipping company in Australia, and a had a significant impact on the transport of cargo and immigrants to Queensland, Australia. McEacharn and McIlwraith soon began to build up a mercantile import and export business with Australia and with a range of vessel types was capable of being involved in all aspects of the shipping trade.