The Main Line Fleet of Burns Philp

Canberra: The Nautical Association of Australia, 1981 The Sydney based Burns Philip (BP) company operated for more than 75 years from 1871 when James Burns established a store in Townsville but, finding obtaining supplies on unreliable shipping services, he chartered a small steamer to be independent of existing services. In 1881 he formed a partnership wtth Robert Philip and in 1883 they established the BP company with HQ in Sydney and were soon operating a number of coastal and Pacific agency services and soon BP was synonymous with South Pacific trading with the company opening stations at a number of ports and islands. Although it was 1896 before they purchased ships to operate under the BP name trading soon extended well into the South Pacific, New Guinea and to South East Asia while also providing Australian coastal services and inter- island trading. BP became a major Australian commercial enterprise employing a large work force., However, having survived two world wars and the Great Depression, by 1970 trading conditions in the BP's area a of shipping had changed so dramatically that the company decided to cease as a ship-owner, while continuing to operate through affiliate trading, retaining its trade stations and other commercial organisations. Thus, although the ships of BP, with their distinctive black and white square funnel marking may have disappeared the BP name remained strong. During its maritime operations BP owned up to 150 ships, varying in size from luggers and schooners to large motor ships on the longer runs, with passengers and cargo. The "Main Fleet." book deals with ships of the BP main line fleet and about 40 of these provide the main content. Each ship's chronological listing contains the name, dimensions etc, builder, routes traversed, masters, together with many events, incidents and anecdotes from the frequentl long-life of the BP Main Line ships. Each entry is accopanied by a photograph of the vessel concerned. The page preceeding the title page carries an illustration of the BP funnel marking and its house-flag. This is an important maritime history, worthy of a place in any Australia-South Pacific nautical library. Book & Jacket are in near fine condition.

Please feel free to inquire for item specifics or additional photos. Books will be carefully packaged in cardboard boxes only. Combined shipping can apply for multiple purchases – please check out our other listings. International shipping costs will be assessed on a case by case basis.