North Coast Steam Navigation Company Limited

The North Coast Steam Navigation Company was formed after a merger with John See on 13 August 1891. The company had previously operated under the names Grafton Steam Navigation Company, the Clarence & Richmond River Steam Navigation Company and the Clarence, Richmond & Macleay River Steam Navigation Company.

In 1920, the company merged with Allan Taylor & Company but continued to operate the fleets under their own names. The company acquired Langley Bros in 1925 and bought the remaining fleet of the Coastal Co-Operative Steamship Company in 1929. The company further acquired the Port Stephens Steamship Company in 1940.

Many of the company's vessels were requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy during World War II, and two ships were lost due to enemy action. On 5 December 1940 the MV NIMBIN was sunk off Norah Head after hitting a mine laid by the German auxiliary cruiser PINGUIN with the loss of 7 people including the captain. On 29 April 1943 SS WOLLONGHAR was torpedoed off Crescent Head, with the loss of 32 of its 35 crew. The SS NAMBUCCA was destroyed by fire in 1945 while serving with the US Army small fleet in the Pacific islands.

The North Coast Steam Navigation Company continued to operate until 1954 and went into voluntary liquidation due to rising costs and unfavourable industrial conditions