Adelaide Steamship Company

Last updated

Adelaide Steamship Company
IndustryCargo
FoundedSeptember 1875
Defunct2006 (de jure) 1977 (de facto)
Successor Maersk Line
Headquarters
Area served
Australia
Adelaide Steamship Company building, Currie Street, Adelaide in 1917 (built 1903, dem. 1986) Adelaide Steamship Company building, Currie Street, 1917.jpg
Adelaide Steamship Company building, Currie Street, Adelaide in 1917 (built 1903, dem. 1986)
The Adelaide Steamship Company Charles D'Ebro designed building in Melbourne during the early 1900s Adelaide Steamship Company Bldg.jpg
The Adelaide Steamship Company Charles D'Ebro designed building in Melbourne during the early 1900s

The Adelaide Steamship Company was an Australian shipping company, later a diversified industrial and logistics conglomerate. It was formed by a group of South Australian businessmen in 1875. Their aim was to control the transport of goods between Adelaide and Melbourne and profit from the need for an efficient and comfortable passenger service. [1] For its first 100 years, the company's main activities were conventional shipping operations on the Australian coast, primary products, consumer cargoes and extensive passenger services.

Contents

In the 1930s and 1940s, the company diversified into the airline operations, towage, shipbuilding, and the shipping of salt, coal and sugar. [2] Adelaide Airways was formed in 1935, and purchased West Australian Airways before merging with Holyman's Airways to form Australian National Airways (ANA) in 1936. ANA was sold to Ansett Transport Industries in 1957. [3]

In 1964, the interstate fleet merged with McIlwraith, McEacharn & Co, and the partnership developed the world's first purpose-built container ships. [3] [4] [5] [6] In 1973, the company ceased its shipbuilding operations, and in 1977, in its 103rd year of operation, sold its shipping-related businesses and ceased its connection with ship owning and operating. [7] It did, however, retain its interests in tugboat operations.

In the 1970s and 1980s, with John Spalvins [8] at the helm, the company became a corporate raider with a portfolio financed by huge borrowings. The recession of the early 1990s caused lenders, over 200 banks, to demand the return of their assets. [9] [10] This forced the liquidation of the portfolio. [11] [12] [13]

With the completion of the liquidation, on 30 April 1997 the company was renamed Residual Assco Group Limited [14] in order that the Adelaide Steamship name could be reused. Residual Assco was delisted on 24 December 1999. [3] [15] In June 1997, the tug boat operations were floated on the Australian Stock Exchange under the name Adsteam Marine. [3] In 2001, Adsteam Marine acquired its joint venture partner (and major rival as the premier Australian towage operator), Howard Smith. Adsteam Marine became the largest towage operator in Australia and the United Kingdom, with further extensive operations in the South Pacific. [16] In 2006, Adsteam Marine was acquired as the Pacific arm of the world's largest shipping company, AP Moeller-Maersk, [6] [17] thus removing the Adelaide Steamship name from the Australian Stock Exchange and Australian Company registers.

Steamships

The Adelaide Steamship Company wharf in Brisbane during the early 1900s Custom House and Garden Reach, Brisbane, Australia.jpg
The Adelaide Steamship Company wharf in Brisbane during the early 1900s
The Adelaide Steamship Company office in Townsville c. 1940 Townsville flinders street c.1940.jpg
The Adelaide Steamship Company office in Townsville c. 1940
TSMV Manunda c. 1930 in Adelaide Steamship livery (buff funnel with black band at top) TSMV-Manunda-Postcard.jpg
TSMV Manunda c. 1930 in Adelaide Steamship livery (buff funnel with black band at top)

The company was formed in September 1875 in Adelaide, South Australia, by a group of pastoralists and businessmen, some of whom already had steamship interests in the Spencer Gulf, namely Federal Wharf Co. Ltd, Port Adelaide Dredging Company Ltd, and Spencer Gulf Shipping Co. Ltd, and was incorporated on 8 October 1875. [18]

Its promoters and founding directors included Andrew Tennant, [19] Robert Barr Smith [20] and Thomas Elder [21] of Elder Smith & Co Ltd. The first ship of the new company was Flinders. [22] In July 1876 the company's leading promoters amalgamated their private ship-owning interests to form the Spencer's Gulf Steamship Co Ltd, trading in South Australian coastal waters. The two companies amalgamated in December 1882. [23] The fleet circled the coast from Derby in northern Western Australia to Cairns in northern Queensland. [22] Shipping operations were supported by a large network of agency offices in almost every major Australian port. [3]

During World War I, several Adelaide Steamship Company ships were requisitioned, as were several other privately owned ships; Grantala and Warilda as hospital ships and Wandilla and Willochra as troopships. [24] Yankalilla and Echunga were also commandeered. [22]

Adelaide Steamship Company was liquidated and reconstructed twice for more efficient and profitable operation, first in 1900 and subsequently in 1920. [18] On 20 January 1915 they took over Coast Steamships Limited, and kept it running as a subsidiary that retained its own identity until 1968. [7]

By the start of World War II, the company owned 30 ships. [7] [24] With World War II, the company was again forced to surrender nine ships to the Navy, including Manoora and Manunda which became an Armed Merchant Cruiser and a hospital ship. Manunda was in Darwin harbour during the Japanese bombing and was able to bring 260 military and civilian casualties to safety in Fremantle. [24] During the war she carried about 30,000 sick and wounded back to Australia from the Middle East and New Guinea. [22] During the 1940s, a decline in trade necessitated the company to diversify and they began to acquire interests in other companies and projects. Consequently, after the war, the company diversified into towage, shipbuilding, and the shipping of salt, coal and sugar. [2] [7]

On 1 January 1964, its interstate fleet was merged with that of McIlwraith, McEacharn & Co in a new company, Associated Steamships Limited, in which Adelaide Steamship Company held 40%. Also in 1964, the merged company developed the world's first purpose built container ship, MV Kooringa. [3] [25] [26] [27] Bulkships, in which Adelaide Steamship held a 40% interest in 1965, acquired all the shares in Associated Steamship Limited in 1968. In 1977 the company's interest in Bulkships was disposed of and Adelaide Steamship Company ceased its connection with ship owning and operating. [7] The company did, however, retain its interests in Tug boats and Tug boat operations and by the late 1980s, Adelaide Steamship was one of Australia's oldest surviving industrial companies. [28]

Ships

An 1882 Adelaide newspaper advertisement for the Company ASC Advertisement.jpg
An 1882 Adelaide newspaper advertisement for the Company

Ships owned and operated by Adelaide Steamship Company included:

Aeroplanes

1935 Short Scion & Monospar Adelaide Airways 1935-Short Scion&Monospar.jpg
1935 Short Scion & Monospar
1936 De Havilland DH.89A Adelaide Airways 1936-De Havilland DH89A VH-UVT.jpg
1936 De Havilland DH.89A

Adelaide Airways was formed as a subsidiary of the Adelaide Steamship Company on 3 July 1935 and commenced operations on 29 October. It had a number of different types of aircraft in its fleet, including the Short Scion, the General Aircraft Monospar ST-25, and the De Havilland DH.89A. [36] [37] [38]

On 12 June 1936, Adelaide Airways purchased West Australian Airways for £25,000. Ivan Holyman (of Holyman's Airways Pty Ltd) approached AdSteam with a view to an amalgamation, aiming to form Australia's most powerful airline which would effectively control airline traffic between Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. On 12 June 1936 the two companies merged and, on 2 November 1936 with Orient Steam Navigation Company and Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, formed Australian National Airways (ANA), "the pre- and post-war giant among Australian domestic airlines". [3] [37] AdSteam retained partial ownership in ANA until Holyman's death in 1957. The ANA board then unsuccessfully attempted to sell out to the Government owned Trans Australia Airlines, before reaching agreement with Reg Ansett to sell the airline to him for £3.3 million. ANA and Ansett Airways merged to form Ansett-ANA on 3 October 1957.

Shipbuilding

Adelaide Ship Construction was set up as a subsidiary of the Adelaide Steamship Company in 1957, and was incorporated in July 1957. At the same time it was issued with the sole Australian licence for the hydroconic hull design patented by Burness, Corlett & Partners of the United Kingdom. This hull design for tugs gave them greater bollard pull from a given horsepower. Adelaide Ship Construction had been set up especially to address the issue of Australia's ageing fleet of tugs. The yard was built on the historic Fletcher's slip site at Birkenhead. [39]

The keel for the first tug was laid 20 May 1958 and it was launched 12 February 1959. The shipyard site grew from two acres and one berth to four berths and 6½ acres in 1968, and to cater for vessels up to 425 feet long. At this time it employed more than 1,000 men. Adelaide Ship Construction had also acquired from Burness, Corlett and Partners the licence for their 'Towmaster' patent. Coupled with the Hydroconic hull design this enabled ever greater pull in its tugs. Hamersley Comet, built in 1968 had a bollard pull of 34.1 tons, the strongest to that time. [39]

However, by 1973 the yard was running at a loss of $3.4 million, and it closed in August of that year. Its last ship was Cape York. [39]

Tug boat operations

The Adelaide Steamship Company vessel ST Uco in Fremantle Harbour c. 1929 AdSteam Tugboat.jpg
The Adelaide Steamship Company vessel ST Uco in Fremantle Harbour c. 1929

A relatively minor sideline, started in the 1890s, was the company's tug boat operations. Gradually, tug boat operations extended over a number of ports, but until the middle of the 20th century they remained the poor relation of the more significant coastal shipping operations. With the decline of coastal shipping however, towage assumed more importance. By the 1960s, towage and associated operations represented a very significant part of the company's activities. [3]

In 1977 the company's interest in Bulkships was disposed of, and Adelaide Steamship Company ceased its connection with ship owning and operating. It had diversified into investment and property ownership, vineyard and wine production, optical goods manufacturing and distribution, engineering, share investment, and, until 1973, shipbuilding. Thus towage and associated operations continued to have prominence, even during the 1970s and 1980s when the Adelaide Steamship Company became the foundation for one the country's major conglomerate organisations. [3]

AdSteam Marine logo Adsteam-marine-logo.jpg
AdSteam Marine logo

As this activity was happening, towage began to reassert itself as an important element of the company; From 1993 it exhibited a period of aggressive growth until the company had a fleet of 156 tug boats, and operated in over 40 Australian, Indian, Pacific Oceana and British ports. [16] Strengthened by a series of industry rationalisations – Brambles' Port Kembla, Sydney and Newcastle operations and P&O's towage operations in Western Australia – the towage division became a valuable candidate for asset disposal. In April 1997 the company changed its name to Residual Assco Group Limited and in June 1997 floated its marine division which was registered on the Australian Stock Exchange as Adsteam Marine Limited. [3]

Once it became a publicly listed company in its own right, Adsteam Marine established a strong investor following. In addition to towage, the company developed shipping agency and tug barging activities. Adsteam Marine doubled its size in May 2001 when it acquired the towage interests of Howard Smith, its partner in many towage ventures, for more than $500 million, making it the largest towage operator in Australia and the United Kingdom, together with operations in Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Other activities included barge operations in the United States, and ships agency services throughout Australia, New Zealand and India. [16]

In 2006, it was acquired by AP Moeller-Maersk. [3] [6]

The corporate raider

After becoming chief executive of the Adelaide Steamship Company in 1977, John Spalvins built up one of Australia's largest industrial conglomerates and became one of the most feared takeover specialists in corporate Australia. [8] [40] [41] Spalvins transformed himself into an entrepreneur, using vast amounts of debt to launch a series of massive takeovers. [42] Adsteam "aggressively acquired significant shareholdings in a variety of companies in a number of fields including retailing, hotels, leisure industries and civil engineering." [28] "Adsteam's share price rose dramatically through much of the 1980s and it was hailed by some commentators as being entrepreneurial, well managed and with a highly disciplined reporting system." [43]

At its height, the Adsteam group included Woolworths, David Jones, brewer Tooth & Co, the Petersville Sleigh food group, the Farmers Union dairy group, Metro Meat, a stable of premium wineries and many others. [41] [44] [45] [46] Also, at various stages, it held a 15% stake in Westpac, [40] a 20% stake in Bell Resources, [47] and numerous other "strategic" stakes and investments. During this period of aggressive growth, AdSteam also had 156 tug boats and operated in over 40 Australian, Indian, Pacific Ocean and British ports. [16] The company was Australia's fourth highest capitalised company during the 1980s. [3]

Group structure

A characteristic of the AdSteam Group during this period was a complex Group Structure of cross ownership where many of the companies of the group owned not-quite-50% of each other. [28] This served the dual purposes of making the elements of the group "take-over proof", but did not trigger the financial reporting requirements of a consolidated set of accounts. In the 1990 Adelaide Steamship Company Annual Report, the following companies were reported as "Principal operating subsidiaries" of the AdSteam Group, with the following cross ownerships greater than 5%: [48]

The Adelaide Steamship Company
David Jones Limited
Tooth & Co
Petersville Sleigh Limited
National Consolidated Limited
Howard Smith Limited
Industrial Equity Limited (IEL)

Other companies, acquisitions and disposals

Other companies, acquisitions and disposals in the group included:

During the 1980s, AdSteam instigated a number of "share plays", [55] and also made significant investments in a number of companies including:

Borrowings

All of this was financed by huge borrowings from about 200 banks. The lendings of just one bank, the State Bank of South Australia, are summarised in the following chart. [55]

SBSA Lendings to AdSteam.jpg

The source of the above data (South Australian Government Auditor in 1993), in a comment dated 26 April 1990, states: "Papers also comment on 'off the record' discussions with Adsteam Group's major bankers and gives exposures of nine banks (including the Bank) which total $4,960M. There is little comment on this figure but an analysis of each company's results shows assets exceed liabilities in each company by a good margin... Paper also comments on recent press issues including potential worst case losses of $110.0M from Bell Resources investment – 'the impact of such a loss ..... is not considered a major concern'." [55]

A subsequent comment dated 26 July 1990 states: "Lending Credit Committee minute notes planned reduction in exposure through maturity of facilities. Also notes extension of other facilities to August 1991 which illustrates 'the continued level of confidence this Bank held in Adsteam's continuity'." [55] With the benefit of hindsight, further comments make interesting reading. Despite the assurances recorded in the board papers, from that point the State Bank of South Australia steadily reduced its exposure to the AdSteam Group.

1990–1991

The opaque nature of the AdSteam Group caused rising concern in a variety of circles. Although shareholders continued to enjoy bonus shares, rights issues, and significant dividends, the share price plateaued. Financial journalists started asking questions, and the share price faltered. After the 1990 Annual General Meeting and the announcement of the 25c dividend (per share) against a diminished share price, investor confidence deserted the company and the share price crashed from over $5 to under $1 in one day.

The previously "nervous" banks were far from happy, and started demanding the return of their capital, despite AdSteam having had this money invested in largely non-liquid assets. Also of course, the banks were not keen to force AdSteam into bankruptcy as such a situation would be unlikely to achieve the return of their assets. Hence, AdSteam organised an "arrangement" with the 200 banks, and in 1991 the Adsteam group was placed under an informal, receivership-type scheme of arrangement. [28] [58] Under this arrangement, there was an orderly disposal of assets.

The aftermath

In order to facilitate the orderly disposal of assets, a number of the group members were renamed:

During the course of the disposal, there were a number of sales, and four successful floats:

Nevertheless, not all of the disposals were made under ideal circumstances, and Adsteam's loss of $4.49 billion represented one of Australia's largest corporate collapses. [63] [64]

However, the major lesson out of the AdSteam collapse was for the accounting profession; a newspaper report on its failure carried the sub-headline "Adsteam a humiliation for the accounting profession". [28] [65] [66] Adsteam was "an excellent instance of how the rule-book approach to consolidation accounting imposed by the law and the Accounting Standards at the time determined managerial actions". [43]

The "Adsteam saga" resulted in major changes to Australian accounting rules pertaining to consolidation and led to the issue of AAS 24 Consolidated Financial Statements by the accounting profession in June 1990 for application from 30 June 1991 (subject to a "legal impediment", see Deegan, 2005, p. 880) [67] and the issue of AASB 1024 Consolidated Accounts with statutory backing in 1991. [68] [69]

Specifically, the definition of "control" for consolidation purposes was broadened beyond prescribed ownership interests to embrace control over an entity's financial and operating policies, making use of the notion of "substance over form" in determining the existence of a controlled entity. [28]

Industrial Equity Limited

Several matters from the collapse are still ongoing – over 15 years after "the collapse". Industrial Equity Limited (IEL) is worthy of particular mention: [10] [55] [70] [71]

  • IEL acquired Woolworths Limited in 1989 as a wholly owned subsidiary.
  • AdSteam investment company Dextran purchased IEL from Brierley Investments in November 1989.
  • Dextran was one-third each owned by AdSteam, David Jones & Tooth. [57]
  • IEL delisted in 1990. [71]
  • Woolworths floated in 1993 – very successfully – "it was floated in the biggest share sale (at that time) in Australia's history"
  • The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) ruled to disallow IEL $524m of deductions.
  • IEL challenged this ruling – the matter has been before the courts on and off ever since – "One of the largest and longest tax disputes in Australian history." [10]
  • In December 2007, IEL was given leave to challenge the ATO ruling.
  • "While prime assets such as Woolworths and Adsteam Marine were floated, IEL and its tax liabilities remained within the corporate shell of Adelaide Steamship when it was renamed Residual Assco Group Ltd in 1997 and delisted in 1999. Residual Assco has no operating businesses but remains active while several IEL tax disputes wind their way through the courts." [10]
  • Residual Assco's October 2007 annual report notes that the group holds $429 million "on deposit pending resolution of the outstanding matters between IEL and the ATO". At that time, the ATO were claiming $7.3 billion.
  • The dispute continues; the Chairman's address to the concurrent AGMs of Residual Assco, DJL and Tooth on 14 November 2008 is rather bleak. [72] The Tooth & Co. Ltd. Annual Financial Report to 30 June 2008 summarises the then current situation in detail. [73]
  • Other sources of information include "The Three Ugly Sisters", Australian Financial Review, 24 December 1999 and Tooth and Co.#Decline.

Court cases

The Adelaide Steamship Company was involved in two court cases which led to changes in the way the Australian Constitution and Australian Law is interpreted.

The Engineers' Case

Amalgamated Society of Engineers v Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd , [74] (commonly known as the Engineers' Case) was a landmark Australian court case decided in the High Court of Australia on 31 August 1920. [75] From a legal perspective, this case is widely regarded as one of the most important cases ever decided by the High Court of Australia, for it swept away the earlier doctrines of implied intergovernmental immunities and reserved State powers, firmly establishing the modern basis for the legal understanding of federalism in Australia and Australian constitutional law. [74] :pp 141–2 In essence, this meant that decisions of the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Court were binding on State governments. [76] and that the constitution is no longer read in a way which attempts to preserve the power of the states.

When providing his judgement on Strickland v Rocla Concrete Pipes Ltd , (where the Court unanimously rejected the decision in Huddart, Parker & Co Pty Ltd v Moorehead , [77] holding that it was based on the rejected doctrine of reserved State powers, which was abolished in Amalgamated Society of Engineers v Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd), Chief Justice Barwick stated "the earlier doctrine virtually reversed the Constitution". [78]

ASIC vs former Adsteam directors and auditors

"Residual Assco and Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) vs former Adsteam directors and auditors. [79]

Timeline

People

Throughout its history, many people have been involved with, played significant roles in and/or been associated with the company:

Company archives

The archives of the Adelaide Steamship Company are held by the Noel Butlin Archives Centre at the Australian National University in Canberra. [113]

See also

References and notes

  1. Bach, John (1976). A Maritime History of Australia. Thomas Nelson (Australia). ISBN   978-0-17-005087-6.
  2. 1 2 "Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd (former) (entry 600381)". Queensland Heritage Register . Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 The Adelaide Steamship Company history Archived 10 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine (2008). Shipping Line Histories: The Ocean Liner Virtual Museum. oceanlinermuseum.co.uk Retrieved on 6 July 2009.
  4. The Adelaide Steamship Coy Ltd, Steamship buildings (2009). Picture Australia. Retrieved on 23 June 2009.
  5. 1 2 Made in Australia – Global Solutions From Down Under Archived 18 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine . (2005). Australia's Official World Expo Business Publication. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  6. 1 2 3 Hopkins, Phillip (2006). Adsteam shares make waves after great Dane's $693m takeover bid Archived 27 July 2006 at the Wayback Machine . 4 July 2006, The Age: Business. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Adelaide Steamship Co. Archived 9 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine (2007). The Ships List. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  8. 1 2 3 Clarke et al. (2003) Corporate Collapse, pg.xiii
  9. Macfarlane, Ian (2006). The real reasons why it was the 1990s recession we had to have Archived 28 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine . 9 December 2006. The Age: Business. Retrieved 26 June 2009. (Ian Macfarlane was Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), Australia's central bank, from 1996 to 17 September 2006.)
  10. 1 2 3 4 Sexton, Elisabeth (2007). Fresh twist in IEL's monster tax case Archived 31 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine . 28 December 2007. Brisbane Times Online. Retrieved 27 June 2009.
  11. Fleming, Grant; Merrett, David; Ville, Simon (2004). The Big End of Town: Big Business and Corporate Leadership in Twentieth-Century Australia. Cambridge University Press. p. 184. ISBN   978-1-139-45213-7.
  12. Gettler, Leon (2004). Ex-Spalvins company forced to take $234m tax bill on board Archived 25 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine . The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  13. Randall, Jeff (2005). Wizards from Oz could fall as flat as Eddie the Eagle Archived 12 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine . Telegraph Online. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
  14. 1 2 The Adelaide Steamship Company Limited (AST) Archived 12 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine , 30 April 1997, Delisted Australian companies, delisted.com.au. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  15. 1 2 Residual Assco Group Limited (RAG) Archived 12 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine , 24 December 1999, Delisted Australian companies, delisted.com.au. Retrieved on 12 July 2009.
    A subsequent entry dated 3 April 2007 states: " company is an unlisted public company awaiting resolution of outstanding tax issues – it may then be wound up – shareholders are unlikely to receive any return but they can contact the company on 02 9258 8833 or Registries Ltd on 02 9290 9600".
  16. 1 2 3 4 Gaston, Jack & Ware, Hugh (2001). One World, One Tug Company? Archived 21 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine Marcon International, Inc. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  17. 1 2 Adsteam Marine (ADZ) Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine delisted.com.au Retrieved on 22 July 2009. "Delisted following compulsory acquisition by Svitzer Australasia Services Pty Limited 17 May 2007."
  18. 1 2 Adelaide Steamship Company Ltd (1875–1997) Archived 10 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine (2006). Guide to Australian Business Records. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  19. 1 2 Combe, Gordon D (1976). 'Tennant, Andrew (1835–1913)' Archived 16 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine . Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 6, Melbourne University Press, pp 255–256. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  20. 1 2 van Dissel, Dirk (1976). 'Smith, Robert Barr (1824–1915)' Archived 19 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine . Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 6, Melbourne University Press, pp 153–154. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  21. 1 2 Gosse, Fayette. (1972) 'Elder, Sir Thomas (1818–1897)' Archived 19 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine , Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 4, Melbourne University Press, pp 133–134. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 SA Memory (2008). South Australian shipping lines: Adelaide Steamship Company: Beginnings Archived 27 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine , Expansion Archived 27 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine , Cutbacks and containerisation Archived 27 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine State Library of South Australia, Government of South Australia. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  23. Hoskin, John (2008). Adelaide Steamship Company Ltd Archived 2 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine . Flotilla Australia. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  24. 1 2 3 Wylie, Ron (2006). The Australian Merchant Navy: Adelaide Steamship Archived 21 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 30 June 2009.
  25. Technology in Australia 1788–1988 Archived 27 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine (2000). Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  26. Our History: April 1964 Archived 3 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine (2009). Fremantle Ports, Western Australia. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  27. Rhiannon, Lee (2000). World Maritime Day Archived 21 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine . Hansard: Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Carnegie, G and O'Connell, B. (2005). Accounting scandals in Australia since the late 1980s Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine . University of Ballarat and James Cook University. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  29. 1 2 3 These three ships were purchased from the Clan Line in 1914.
  30. SS Koombana Archived 26 August 2006 at the Wayback Machine , Shipwrecks, WA Museum. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
  31. 1 2 Larsson, Björn (2008). Adelaide Steamship Co. Sailings c. Late 1920s Archived 18 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine , Images: MV Minnipa and SS Paringa Archived 6 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine Maritime Timetable Images. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  32. SSMaritime article Archived 20 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  33. HMAT Warilda Archived 17 December 2006 at the Wayback Machine , Memorial to Edward (Hughie) Dodd. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
  34. SS Yongala Archived 13 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine (2009). Townsville Maritime Museum. Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  35. The Yongala Story Archived 24 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine , Heritage Centre Education Kit, Sheet 6, Issue 2, April 2006, pp.3–4. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  36. Adelaide Airways postcard, 1935 Archived 5 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine , The Airways Museum & Civil Aviation Historical Society. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
  37. 1 2 Adelaide Airways DH89A VH-UVT, 1936 Archived 5 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine , The Airways Museum & Civil Aviation Historical Society. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
  38. Adelaide Airways Ltd (1935–1936) Archived 17 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine , Guide to Australian Business Records. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
  39. 1 2 3 SA Memory (2009). Adelaide Ship Construction Ltd Archived 27 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine , Shipbuilding in South Australia: Twentieth century, State Library of South Australia, Government of South Australia. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  40. 1 2 Porter, Ian (2006). "Tyresome approach has Spalvins trying to tread on board" Archived 4 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine . The Age: Business. Retrieved 27 June 2009.
  41. 1 2 Korporaal, Glenda (13 October 2007). "This time it's different, says '87 crash victim John Spalvins". The Australian . Archived from the original on 15 June 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  42. Porter, Ian (2006). "Japanese parent foils bid to unseat Bridgestone four" Archived 21 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine . The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 June 2009.
  43. 1 2 Clarke et al. (2003). Corporate Collapse p. 159.
  44. 1 2 Wineries acquired by AdSteam included: Penfolds, Wynns Coonawarra, Seaview, Glenloth, Kaiser Stuhl, Barossa Co-op, Tulloch and Loxton Co-op. These were sold to South Australian Brewing Company in 1990 who named them the Penfolds Wines Group and then in 1994, Southcorp Wines. They are currently owned by the Foster's Group.
  45. Jacinta Peachey, Elizabeth French, David Gianfrancesco and Brett Willey (2004). Southcorp Limited Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Case Studies. johnwiley.com.au. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  46. Southcorp's Wineries Archived 15 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine , February 2004, Australian Wine Online. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  47. 1 2 "The Bell Group Ltd vs Westpac Banking Corporation" Archived 12 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine 2008 WASC 239, Supreme Court of Western Australia, 22 July 2003 to 22 September 2006. Judgement delivered 28 October 2008.
  48. Adelaide Steamship Company (1990). AdSteam Group Structure Archived 24 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine , 1990 Annual Report. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  49. Martin Wells Holdings Ltd, delisted.com.au Retrieved on 22 July 2009.
  50. Sellers Atkins Ltd, delisted.com.au Retrieved on 22 July 2009.
  51. Percy Marks Properties Ltd Archived 25 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine changed its name on 29 November 1973 to Valinda Properties Ltd (VLP) Archived 25 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine , and again on 24 January 1985 to Pioneer Property Group Ltd (PPG) Archived 25 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine . It was taken over by Sydney Slipway and Engineering Co Pty Ltd on 26 September 1990, and is currently delisted. delisted.com.au Retrieved on 22 July 2009.
  52. National Consolidated Ltd (NCL) Archived 24 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine , delisted.com.au. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  53. 1 2 3 4 5 Industrial Equity Limited, which owned Woolworths, was one-third each owned by Adsteam, David Jones & Tooth
  54. Lockwood locks Archived 15 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine , ASSA ABLOY's flagship brand. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  55. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 SA Govt Auditor (1993) Chapter 9, Appendix B: Summary of Movements in Facility – Adelaide Steamship Company Archived 24 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine , 1993 Audit of the State Bank of South Australia. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  56. 1 2 Tropical Canning (Thailand) plc acquires Safcol Food Processing Archived 27 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine , www.alacrastore.com
  57. 1 2 McIlwraith, Ian (2003). IEL tax bill for Woolies float blows out to $3bn Archived 13 May 2004 at the Wayback Machine , 19 April 2003, Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
  58. Peers, M., (1991), "Adsteam disaster – the next phase", Australian Financial Review, 2 April, pp. 1–2.
  59. David Jones Limited Archived 5 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine delisted.com.au Retrieved on 22 July 2009.
  60. DJL Ltd Archived 5 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine delisted.com.au Retrieved on 22 July 2009.
    David Jones Limited changed name to DJL Limited on 16 October 1995 and was "delisted at entity's request" on 24 December 1999 (at the same time as Residual Assco.) A note at delisted.com.au dated 9 January 2003 states: "company is an unlisted public company and part of the Residual Assco Group (see further details there) – according to our information DJL no longer has any operating entities but is an investor in Residual Assco Group Limited (42.2%), Tooth & Co Limited (44.2%) and Dextran Pty Limited (1/3) which in turn owns Industrial Equity Limited."
  61. Metropolitan Wholesale Meat Company Limited Archived 9 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine delisted.com.au Retrieved on 22 July 2009. – "name changed to Metro Meat Limited 23 March 1972"
  62. Metro Meat Limited (MRM) Archived 9 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine delisted.com.au Retrieved on 22 July 2009. – "name changed from Metropolitan Wholesale Meat Company Limited 23 March 1972" – "taken over by Central Timber Traders (1946) Limited 10/03/1982"
  63. Clarke et al. (2003) Corporate Collapse p.153
  64. Mayne, Stephen (2009) The $100m loss club by financial year Archived 8 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine , 19 May 2009, maynereport.com. Retrieved 12 July 2009. – Refer to the data for Financial Years 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93.
  65. Kohler, A., (1991), "In the bad books", Australian Financial Review, 2 April, pp. 1 and 52.
  66. Burge, G., (1991), "Adsteam's $4.49 billion loss is biggest ever", Sydney Morning Herald, 1 October, p. 25
  67. Deegan, C., (2005), Australian Financial Accounting, fourth edition, North Ryde: McGraw-Hill.
  68. Walker, R. G., (1992), "Consolidation standard – in practice", New Accountant, Vol. 5, No. 10, 28 May, p. 24.
  69. Walker, R. G. and Mack, J., (1998), "The influence of regulation on the publication of consolidated statements", Abacus, Vol. 34, No. 1, pp. 48–74.
  70. Survey of Companies/Organisations Archived 6 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine , www.ilo.org. Refer to entry for Tooth & Co. Limited. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
  71. 1 2 Industrial Equity Limited (IEL) Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine , Status: Delisted from ASX 11 July 1990. delisted.com.au Retrieved on 22 July 2009.
  72. Chairman's Address to 2008 AGM Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine , ASX announcement, 14 November 2008.
  73. Annual Financial Report to 30 June 2008 Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine , Tooth & Co. Ltd.
  74. 1 2 Amalgamated Society of Engineers v Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd (Engineers case) [1920] HCA 54 , (1920) 28 CLR 129.
  75. Booker, Keven; Glass, Arthur; Watt, Rob (1998). "Chapter 3, paras [3.25]-[3.36]". Federal Constitutional Law: An Introduction (2nd ed.). Sydney: Federation Press.
  76. "Timeline 31 Aug 1920 Engineers case". Australia's Prime Ministers. National Archives of Australia. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2018..
  77. Huddart, Parker & Co Pty Ltd v Moorehead [1909] HCA 36 , (1909) 8 CLR 330.
  78. Strickland v Rocla Concrete Pipes Ltd [1971] HCA 40 , (1971) 124 CLR 468(3 September 1971) per Barwick CJ at p 489.
  79. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Adsteam Settlement Archived 30 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine , 2 November 2000, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Retrieved 30 June 2009.
  80. Australian Securities Commission v Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Formerly Known As Deloitte Haskins and Sells and Deloitte Ross Tohmatsu) [1996] FCA 1733 (28 August 1996), Federal Court (Full Court).
  81. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd & Anor v Janis Gunars Spalvins & Ors [1998] FCA 144 , (1998) 152 ALR 418(2 March 1998), Federal Court (Full Court).
  82. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd v Spalvins 1998 152 ALR 418 (1998). Networked Knowledge. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
  83. Re Wakim; Ex parte McNally [1999] HCA 27 , (1999) 198 CLR 511.
  84. Federal Courts (State Jurisdiction) Act 1999 (SA).
  85. Residual Assco Group v Spalvins [2000] HCA 33 , (2000) 202 CLR 629(13 June 2000).
  86. Australian Trade Union Archives (2003). Timeline: 1851–1900 Archived 12 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 1 July 2009.
  87. (Images: 1 2 3 4)
  88. Images: 1 2
  89. 1 2 "Adelaide Steamship Company building, Currie Street, 1917". Flickr. 1917. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  90. Linn, R W (1988). 'Smith, Tom Elder Barr (1863–1941)' Archived 15 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 11, Melbourne University Press, p. 664. Retrieved on 11 July 2009.
  91. Shanahan, Martin. (2002). 'Smith, Sir Tom Elder Barr (1904–1968)' Archived 15 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 16, Melbourne University Press, pp 274–275. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  92. Shorten, Ann R (1979). 'Berry, William (1857–1928)' Archived 9 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine . Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 7, Melbourne University Press, pp 277–278. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  93. Macdougall, R J (1979). 'Calder, George (1839–1903)' Archived 22 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine , Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 7, Melbourne University Press, pp 525–526. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  94. Jaensch, Dean (1979). 'Charleston, David Morley (1848–1934)' Archived 22 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine . Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 7, Melbourne University Press, pp 616–617. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  95. Finlay, H.A. (1981). 'Duffy, Sir Frank Gavan (1852–1936)' Archived 22 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine . Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 8, Melbourne University Press, pp 352–353. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  96. Stock, Jenny Tilby (1996). 'Duncan, Sir Walter Gordon (1885–1963)' Archived 1 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine . Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 14, Melbourne University Press, pp 52–53. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  97. Donald Allan Dunstan 1926–1999 Archived 22 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine (2009). Flinders University, SA. Retrieved 10 July 2009.
  98. Donald Allan Dunstan AC QC Archived 12 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine (2013). History SA, Government of South Australia, SA. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  99. Bolton, G.C. (1981). 'Forrest, Alexander (1849–1901)' Archived 24 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine . Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 8, Melbourne University Press, pp 540–543. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  100. Gosse, Fayette (1996). 'Gosse, Sir James Hay (1876–1952)' Archived 15 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine . Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 14, Melbourne University Press, pp 301–302. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  101. Strahan, Frank (1996). 'Holyman, Sir Ivan Nello (1896–1957)' Archived 8 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine . Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 14, Melbourne University Press, pp 480–481. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  102. Perry, Warren (2000). 'Lloyd, Herbert William (1883–1957)' Archived 29 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine . Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 15, Melbourne University Press, pp 107–108. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  103. OM Business Development > Our People and Sponsors Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  104. Dunstan, David. (1986). 'McEacharn, Sir Malcolm Donald (1852–1910)' Archived 6 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine . Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 10, Melbourne University Press, pp 263–264. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  105. Waterson, D.B. (1986). 'McIlwraith, Andrew (1844–1932)' Archived 14 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine . Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 10, Melbourne University Press, pp 282–283. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  106. Hancock, Joan and Eric Richards (1986). 'Muecke, Hugo Carl Emil (1842–1929)' Archived 21 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine . Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 10, Melbourne University Press, p. 604. Retrieved 10 July 2009.
  107. Hardwick, G.A. (2000). 'Packard, Guy Spencer (1884–1963)' Archived 25 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine . Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 15, Melbourne University Press, p. 553. Retrieved 10 July 2009.
  108. Foldi, N.S. (1988). 'Poole, Daniel (1882–1959)' Archived 12 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine . Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 11, Melbourne University Press, p. 255. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  109. Hayman, Noel (1976). 'Ross, Sir Robert Dalrymple (1827–1887) Archived 31 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine . Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 6, Melbourne University Press, pp 62–63. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  110. Transurban (2002). ASX Release: Appointment of Directors Archived 14 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  111. Guyatt, Joy (1988). Seymour, Charles (1853–1924) Archived 2 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 11, Melbourne University Press, p. 572. Retrieved on 22 July 2009
  112. Make sure the roof is secure, 17 June 2008, Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  113. "Adelaide Steamship Company - Archives".

Further reading

Shipping
Australian corporate governance

Related Research Articles

SS <i>Yongala</i> Passenger steamship that was wrecked in Queensland, Australia

SS Yongala was a passenger steamship that was built in England in 1903 for the Adelaide Steamship Company. She sank in a cyclone off the coast of Queensland in 1911, with the loss of all 122 passengers and crew aboard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peters Ice Cream</span> Australian ice cream brand

Peters Ice Cream is an Australian ice cream brand, now a subsidiary of European food firm Froneri. It was originally developed by an expatriate American, Frederick (Fred) Augustus Bolles Peters in 1907, using his mother's recipe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elders Limited</span> Australian agribusiness company

Elders Limited, formerly known as Elder, Stirling & Co., Elder Smith and Co. and Elder Smith & Co. Ltd, is an Australian agribusiness that provides agricultural goods and services to primary producers in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellerman Lines</span> Large UK based shipping firm

Ellerman Lines was a UK cargo and passenger shipping company that operated from the late nineteenth century and into the twentieth century. It was founded in the late 19th century, and continued to expand by acquiring smaller shipping lines until it became one of the largest shipping firms in the World. Setbacks occurred through heavy losses to its merchant fleet in the First and Second World Wars but were overcome in each case.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian National Airways</span> Australian airline company

Australian National Airways (ANA) was Australia's predominant aerial carrier from the mid-1930s to the early 1950s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tooth and Co.</span> Australian brewer and beer brand

Tooth and Co was the major brewer of beer in New South Wales, Australia. The company owned a large brewery on Broadway in Sydney from 1835 to 1985, known as the Kent Brewery. It was historically one of Australia's oldest companies, having been established as a partnership in 1835. The brand was revived in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illawarra Steam Navigation Company</span> Australian steamship company

The Illawarra Steam Navigation Company was a shipping company that serviced the south coast of New South Wales, Australia from 1858 to the early 1950s. It was formed through the amalgamation of the General Steam Navigation Company, the Kiama Steam Navigation Company and the Shoalhaven Steam Navigation Company, each of whom serviced parts of the south coast with their respective vessels. After merging, the new company held a near monopoly in regard to shipping on the south coast, and their fleet visited every significant port between Sydney and the border of Victoria. The company transported both passengers and a range of produce, including livestock, and hence it became known as the 'Pig and Whistle Line': it was said that ships would wait an hour for a pig but not a minute for a passenger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Furness Withy</span>

Furness Withy was a major British transport business. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elder Dempster Lines</span> Shipping company

Elder Dempster Lines was a UK shipping company that traded from 1932 to 2000, but had its origins in the mid-19th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union Company</span>

Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand Limited was once the biggest shipping line in the southern hemisphere and New Zealand's largest private-sector employer. It was incorporated by James Mills in Dunedin in 1875 with the backing of a Scottish shipbuilder, Peter Denny. Bought by shipping giant P&O around the time of World War I it was sold in 1972 to an Australasian consortium and closed at the end of the twentieth century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiger Airways Holdings</span> Defunct airline holding company of Singapore (2007–2016)

Tiger Airways Holdings Limited was a Singapore-based airline holding company for a group of low-cost carriers operating in the Asia-Pacific region. It was formed in 2007 to allow for easier management of the airline subsidiaries, as well as any future expansion, without having to focus on operational issues, leaving those to the airlines themselves. In 2016, Singapore Airlines purchased the company and it was delisted from the Singapore Exchange.

The Loch Line of Glasgow, Scotland, was a group of colonial clippers managed by Messrs William Aitken and James Lilburn. They plied between the United Kingdom and Australia from 1867 to 1911.

SS <i>Ferret</i> Early 20th century Scottish steamship

SS Ferret was an iron screw steamship of 460 tons built in Glasgow (Scotland) in 1871 by J & G Thomson, Glasgow.

MVKooringa was the world's first fully cellular purpose-built container ship and was built by Australian company, Associated Steamships in partnership with McIlwraith, McEacharn & Co and commissioned in May 1964. It was built at the New South Wales State Dockyard in Newcastle as a "custom-designed cellular container ship to handle 20-ton containers".

HMAS <i>Grantala</i>

HMAS Grantala was a passenger steamship that was built in England in 1903 as a coastal interstate liner for the Adelaide Steamship Company. In 1914 the Commonwealth government requisitioned her as a Royal Australian Navy hospital ship.

Coast Lines Limited provided shipping services in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Channel Islands from 1917 to 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indo-China Steam Navigation Company Ltd.</span> Hong Kong-based shipping line

The Indo-China Steam Navigation Company, Limited (ICSNC), was established in 1873 as a subsidiary of Hong Kong based Jardine, Matheson & Co., one of the largest trading companies in the Far East at that time.

John Spalvins, in Latvia, was Managing Director of the Adelaide Steamship Company from 1977 until the company's collapse in 1991. During this period under Spalvins' control, "Adsteam" became Australia's major corporate entity with interests and significant holdings in retailing, food, wine, dairy, hardware, building, banks, and numerous other companies. "Spalvins built up one of Australia's largest industrial conglomerates, which took in David Jones, Woolworths, Metro Meat, food company Petersville Sleigh, beer and wine company Tooth & Co, as well as a tugboat business, before it was put into receivership in 1991."

Howard Smith Limited was an Australian industrial company. Founded in 1854 as a shipping company, it later diversified into coal mining, steel production, stevedoring, travel, railway rolling stock building, sugar production and retail. Its divisions began to be sold off in the 1990s with the remainder taken over by Wesfarmers in August 2001.

Sidney Cooke Limited was a printing and manufacturing company based in Melbourne, Australia, from 1872 to 1999.