Commonwealth Government Line of Steamers
Commonwealth Line · Australian Commonwealth Line
1916 – 1921
Government-owned merchant shipping line that carried Australian exports during and after the First World War, using cargo steamers bought overseas and ships later built in Australian and British yards.
How it came into existence
Created in 1916 by executive decision of the Hughes government, which bought 15 cargo steamers while the Prime Minister was in London to relieve the wartime shortage of shipping for Australian exports. It was a new undertaking administered through the Prime Minister's Department.
How it ended
In 1921 control of the line passed to the newly constituted Australian Commonwealth Shipping Board, which also took over Cockatoo Island Dockyard.
- Commonwealth-owned merchant fleet and shipping services
Main functions
- Carriage of Australian export cargoes
- Operation of Commonwealth-owned cargo steamers
- Acquisition of ships built in Australia and overseas
- Overseas cargo and passenger services
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Prime Minister's Department.
Lineage
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Sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.