THE ADELAIDE STEAMSHIP CO. LTD.

The flag is based on International Code flag “X” with an added star. A black-and-white photograph of Moonta confirms the A436 funnel; a drawing of Acco Transport’s Maltara shows that managed ships also used it.

The Sampson-based FOTW portrayal by James Dignan and the Brown 1926-based portrayal by Jarig Bakker are both recorded for A436. Rosanoski notes that sources generally show a larger star; Jonathan Dixon describes the Wedge 1926 version as apparently intermediate.

The National Maritime Museum’s actual flag, dated about 1951, has the star filling the cross’s fesse point, with its diagonal points extending slightly onto the field. The dimensions are given as 914.4 × 1092.2 mm, with the order reversed in the accompanying comment. Rosanoski considers Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg’s portrayal almost exact; its source is not stated, but he thinks it resembles the museum flag.

Rosanoski identifies the A437 funnel as an error, citing confirmation from NJK on 12 April 2004. The illustration remains associated with the source record, with that qualification.

The Adelaide Steamship Co. Ltd., also known as ASC, was formed on 9 October 1875 and began services in December 1876. It amalgamated with Spencer's Gulf Steamship Co. Ltd. in December 1882. The Adelaide Steamship Company Limited was registered on 15 December 1910 and deregistered on 3 February 1920, when the company was reconstituted under the same name; the register gives The Adelaide Steamship Co. Ltd. for the new registration.

Phil Nelson’s account records reorganisations following liquidation in 1900 and 1920. Rosanoski corrects that account’s “Gulf Steamship Company” to Spencer’s Gulf Steam Ship Co. Ltd. and its 1977 date for the end of maritime operations to 1997. A shareholders’ meeting on 1 April 1997 approved the name Residual Assco Group Ltd. and transfer of the maritime interests to Adsteam Marine Ltd. The change took effect on 23 April, when the wholly owned Adsteam subsidiary was floated; its share offer closed oversubscribed on 26 May.

Adelaide was a founding member of Associated Steamship Companies in 1901, with Huddart Parker, McIlwraith McEacharn, Howard Smith and AUSN; Melbourne Steam Ship Co. joined in 1902. The association ended in 1910, although cooperation continued. Associated Steamship Owners, formed on 24 May 1921, brought together Adelaide, McIlwraith McEacharn’s Line, Howard Smith, Australian Steamships, James Paterson, Melbourne Steamship, Huddart Parker and AUSN. Howard Smith and AUSN withdrew in August 1960; by the end of 1961 only McIlwraith McEacharn and Adelaide remained. Their merger to form Associated Steamships Pty. Ltd. was agreed in 1963 and became operative in January 1964 on a 40/60 basis, ending the association. Adelaide’s additional capital brought parity in October 1967.

Howard Smith acquired 10% of Adelaide’s shares in 1977, but the proposed merger that year was refused. Its holding reached 18.3% before being sold late in 1983; clearance to acquire Adelaide’s towage interests was subsequently reported in 1991. In the other direction, an Adelaide holding of 27.28% in Howard Smith was reported in 1989, probably through Petersville Sleigh, and disposal of the Howard Smith holdings was reported in 1991.

The group included Adelaide Cement Co., later Adelaide Brighton Cement Ltd. Adelaide Ship Construction, formed in July 1957 with Adelaide as a major shareholder, became wholly owned in 1962 and a division of Adelaide Steamship in March 1968; its cessation was reported in 1991. Coast Steamships was acquired in 1915. Sources date the purchase of Adelaide Steam Tug Co. to either 1915 or 1918, after earlier indirect association; an unreferenced note says it became a management company only in 1958. Ritch & Smith was acquired about 1928 jointly with Huddard Parker and was a division by 1973. Waratah Tug & Salvage was formed as a wholly owned subsidiary on 18 May 1931. Other interests included Pacific Tug, bought from the Peters brothers, and Petersville Sleigh. A further entry records the absorption of “Spencer’s Gulf Marine Services Pty. Ltd.” in December 1882.

Adelaide helped found Bulkships in June 1958 and sold its remaining interest early in 1977. Its towage ventures included ABHO with Brambles and Howard Smith; Adstan Tug Charters, Lovett, McCracken & Bray and Moreton Tug & Lighter with Stannard interests; and Fremantle Tug Operators with Swan River Shipping from 1970. Howard Smith partnerships included Cawby, later called Gladstone Tug Services, Charter Craft & Marine Services, Hedland Marine Services, United Salvage, and the second Waratah Towage company, formed in July 1977. Stirling Marine Services, renamed from Elder-Prince Marine Services in August 1988, had been jointly owned with Howard Smith from January 1986. Queensland Tug & Salvage is described both as jointly acquired in March 1972 and as jointly formed. Wallace Tugs was owned equally with J. Fenwick until Adelaide announced the purchase of Fenwick’s share in April 1995. Harbour Lighterage, owned equally with Brambles, ceased in 1992; Osmarine (Australia) was an associate.

The fleet chiefly used Australian names ending in “a”.

Australia, Adelaide.