T. Browns Furniture Warehouse photo taken around c 1870's. Four people standing outside the front of the furniture warehouse. The two story building has two display windows divided into three panes. The entrance door is glass with five arch windows on the second story. The address is 113 Main Street Stawell, later the site of the Coles store.Photograph appears to be taken from an original sepia photo of T. Brown's Furniture Warehouse. The two story building has two display windows on the ground floor with four people standing on the footpath outside the building.T. Brown's Furniture Warehouse Ironmongers T. Brown's Timber Merchant stawell t. browns furniture warehouse business

Jubilee Consols Gold Mining Company located at Browns, near Scarsdale.Pale blue-grey Jubilee Gold Mining Company Share Certificate, Issue No. 53. Certifies that R. Gilpin is a member of the Company and owns one hundred shares (nos. 5201 to 5300). Dated 22nd July 1899, signed "R. Gilpin, Manager". "R. GILPIN, Manager, 7 Lydiard Street, Ballarat" printed inside decorative border down left side of certificate. "Jubilee Consols Gold Mining Company" stamped in purple ink in top right corner.Text: " Jubilee Consols Gold Mining Company / NO LIABILITY / BROWNS, NEAR SCARSDALE. "jubilee consols gold mining company, r. gilpin, gold mining, mining share certificates, mining leases

Brick house in Seaby Street Stawell Lyndsey Browns House

Loggers from Brown's Mill, Kinglake use a hand saw to remove bark and split a tree trunk after its felling in the Kinglake forest. Circa 1923.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book, "Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, kinglake, browns mill, logging, loggers, lumber trade, brown's mill, kingake national park, forest, bush

Names of those in photograph (33 adults, 29 school children) are listed on verso of worksheet - Information from Mrs Murtagh.Photograph of Brown's Plains School unveiling Honour Roll, circa 1920. cardboard, unframed"Unveiling Honour Roll, Browns Plains / After 1914-1918 War"ivy fisher, dearie fisher, ernie beck, mrs j milthorpe, murray smith, ray milthorpe, mary stewart, edmund doolan, jim doolan, joe fisher, mrs c morris, mr c morris, w keeble, fred fisher, harry beck, tom fisher, jack milthorpe, j doolan, mrs mills, j flegg, mrs flegg, louis leseberg, dan whelan, mrs grace, mrs leseberg, daisy flegg, miss milligan, mrs doolan, ann whelan, mrs t fisher & babe, mrs robinson, rev taylor, leo doolan, hec mills, ted newbound, phon doolan, noel mills, norm newbound, jim milthorpe, lin whelan, muriel mills, arthur strahan, eileen grace, nora shelley, matt grace, gladys smith, madge whelan, alice keeble, julia whelan, charles milthorpe, mona newey, jessie hamilton, vonie shelley, daisy smith, mollie grace, eva keeble, artie ashton, tess grace, ernie newey, lyla smith, peggy milthorpe

Football Record VFL 1968, Carlton FC's first premiership after 21 years. Football Record VFL 1968, Carlton FC's first premiership after 21 years, at the time the longest drought premiership in the club's history. The win was the culmination of recruiting Ron Barassi from Melbourne FC in 1965. Ron Barassi leaving Melbourne at the end of the 1964 season was one of the most sensational stories in VFL history. Souvenir Football Record 1968 20centsRegistered with GPO as a Newspaper

Source: Mrs. McMinn, KinglakeThis photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, kinglake, browns mill

Source: Mrs. McMinn, KinglakeThis photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, kinglake, browns mill

This microfilm produced in 1988 is a duplicate of the original Microfilmspooled roll of 16mm film in a cardboard boxrates, public records, shire, 1937-38 to 1953-54, lilliput browns plains

This microfilm produced in 1988 is a duplicate of the original Microfilmspooled roll of 16mm film in a cardboard boxrates, public records, shire, 1954-55 to 1970-71, norong lilliput browns plains

Reverend John Brown was ordained in 1958 and served at Bairnsdale, Presbyterian missionary in Korea, Board of Ecumenical Mission & Relations, Commission for World Mission, UAICC Convenanting Coordinator. He retired in 2000.B&W head and body photograph of Rev. John Brown"John Brown"brown, john

Rev. Thomas Brown (1858 - 1949) was Moderator of Victoria in 1926.Semigloss, black and white, studio portrait of Rev. Thomas Brown with inscriptions, mounted to boardYours sincerely Thomas Brownpresbyterian, brown, t.

One of the many Honour Boards from around the district, that were created shortly after the end of World War 1Black and white photograph a large group of people, some of the children seated on the ground, displaying the Browns Plains Honour Board, above a union jack.At the bottom of the Honour Board: "Great European War, 1914-1918" 20 names shown on the boardhonour boards, honor boards, browns plains, world war 1, world war i, ww1, wwi

Colour photograph of a small painted brick building with a story board in front of it. The photograph is mounted on a bright blue sheet of paper, along with a typed caption of the text from the story board.Caption text: "Browns Plains Chapel. In 1866 the Browns Plains community funded the construction of this building to be used for religious and educational purposes. Erected on granite foundations carted from nearby Mt Ochtertyre, the shingle roofed brick building was opened as a Common School No 821 on the 1st of July 1866. In 1880 a weatherboard school was built to the south of the brick building. The School closed on 31st Dec 1895 there were 12 boys and 12 girls in attendance. Regular community church services are still being conducted here."browns plains, churches, schools, common school no 821

ANN JANE BROWN MARRIED EDWIN ROBERTS, CLUNESCOPY OF PHOTOGRAPH OF ANN JANE BROWN, MARRIED EDWIN ROBERTS, CLUNES [BUTCHER]ANN JANE BROWN MARRIED EDWIN ROBERTS CLUNESlocal history, photography, photographs, costumes, female

Reverend John Brown was ordained in 1958 and served at Bairnsdale, Presbyterian missionary in Korea, Board of Ecumenical Mission & Relations, Commission for World Mission, UAICC Convenanting Coordinator. He retired in 2000.B&W head and shoulders photograph of Rev John Brown."Rev John Brown c 1988"brown, john

THE BROWN FAMILY, CLUNES 1875COPY OF PHOTOGRAPH OF BROWN FAMILY OUTSIDE THEIR HOME IN THORNTON STREET, CLUNESWILLIAM AND MARY ANN BROWN WITH ANN, FRANCIS & GEORGE. THORNTON STREET, CLUNES. 1875brown family, william and mary brown

The Brown Falcon is a small to medium bird of prey which can be found all throughout Australia. These birds are raptors and typically feed on mammals, birds, snakes, insects and rabbits. The Brown Falcon are located in all but the densest forests. They typically prefer to reside in locations of open grassland and agricultural areas which have scattered trees or telephone poles which the bird can perch on. When frequenting towns located in the Australian Outback, these birds are reportedly quite tame and can be approached by humans. They may stay in the same location throughout the year or chose to move around locally in response to any changes in weather conditions. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th centuryThis specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.The Brown Falcon specimen has plumage which is mostly brown and intermixed with white. This provides the appearance of having spotted colouring on the birds back. The head is also mostly brown with white under the beak area and a characteristic brown streak under the eye area. The eye is made from dark coloured glass.3 / Brown Hawk / See Catalogue, page 2 / taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, brown falcon, falconidae

Archibald John Nelson Brown No 6225 enlisted in 20th reinforcements 6th Batt AIF on 2.5.1916 age 20 years. Embarked for England 11.9.1916, embarked for France 13.12.1916, WIA 4.10.1917 GSW's left leg and right hand. Returned to France 17.9.1918, discharged from the AIF 29.12.1919.Medals, court mounted, set of 2, re J N BROWN 1. War Medal 1914-19 2. Victory Medal6255 A/CPL A J N BROWN 6BN AIFmedals, military, history, passchendaele barracks trust

Photograph taken of R L Browning standing on pier at Cato Lake/Victoria Lake/ Stawell gardens on 14.4.1928. The photograph taken on Velox photographic paper with the steeple of the Presbyterian church and the Anglican church in the background. The pier was later used to access the Tower diving platform built in c 1932 (refer 67.5). Black and white photograph of R.L. Browning standing on a pier at Lake taken 14.4.1928. Stawell Gardens Victoria R.L. Browning Pier, Lane. R13 1234 14-4-1928stawell

Extract of Victoria As I Found It. "Brown on Pleasant Creek" By Henry Brown. Photocopied at the Public Library MelbourneLight Blue Plastic Cover with clear cutout and white paper insert with Black Print"Brown on Pleasant Creek" from "Victoria as I Found It" By Henry Brown Published London 1862stawell gold

This telescope was amongst various items collected from a sea dive in Port Phillip Bay. The diver was the caretaker of the Port Lonsdale Lighthouse, who dived on various wrecks in the bay during the 1960's. After the caretaker's death, his son sold off many of the shipwreck artefacts. The telescope was purchased from the caretaker's son in the 1990's by a previous owner of the Marine Shop, Queenscliff, Victoria. John Browning was particularly well known for his scientific advances in the fields of spectroscopy, astronomy, and optometry. Between 1856 and 1872, Browning acquired provisional patents for designs of numerous scientific instruments. He was also the recipient of an award at the 1862 International Exhibition held in London. Also recognised for his temperature-compensated aneroid barometer. Browning's scientific instruments were used in physics, chemistry, and biology. The products he designed and manufactured included spectroscopes, telescopes, microscopes, barometers, photometers, cameras, ophthalmologist, and electrical equipment such as electric lamps. John Browning was born around 1831 in Kent, England. His father, William Spencer Browning, was a maker of nautical instruments. John Browning's great-grandfather was also an instrument maker as well as John’s brother Samuel Browning of the firms Spencer & Browning and Spencer, Browning & Rust, who also manufactured navigational instruments. The latter firm was in operation in London from 1784 to 1840 and was succeeded by the firm of Spencer, Browning & Co. John Browning initially intended to follow the medical profession and entered Guy's Hospital, a teaching hospital and a school of medicine. Despite having passed the required examinations, however, he abandoned his plans. Instead, he apprenticed with his father, William Spencer Browning. At the same time, in the late 1840s, he was a student attending the Royal College of Chemistry several days per week. By the early 1870s, practical optics had become John Browning's primary interest, and he listed his occupation as an optician on the census records from 1871 to 1901. He was well known among London's ophthalmic surgeons for his various ophthalmic instruments. He had a large part in reforming the art of crafting spectacles. Other achievements were as an author of the book, How to Use Our Eyes and How to Preserve them by the Aid of Spectacles. Published in 1883, the book included thirty-seven illustrations, including a diagram demonstrating the anatomy of the eye. In 1895, he was one of the founders of the "British Ophthalmology" the first professional organisation for optometry. He was not only its first president but also registered as its first member so many considered him to be the first professional optometrist. Other professional organisations he belonged too was as a member of “The Aeronautical Society of Great Britain”. In 1871 constructing the first wind tunnel located at Greenwich Marine Engineering Works. He was also a member of other scientific organisations, such as the “Microscopical Society of London”, the “Meteorological Society”, and the “Royal”. Then in 1908 the company of W. Watson & Son, opticians and camera makers, took over John Browning's company since 1901 John Browning had been semi-retired but in 1908 he fully retired and moved to Bournemouth in Hampshire. He died in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in 1925.The telescope is significant for its association with one of the world’s leading scientific instrument makers and inventor of the 19th and early 20th century. It is believed the donation came off a wreck either in Port Philip Bay or between Point Lonsdale and the Nepean Heads making it a significant maritime historical artefact. Its provenance is good given it was taken off a wreck in this area by the Point Lonsdale lighthouse caretaker. Examples of John Browning's telescopes because of their scientific and historical importance are highly valued by collectors.Marine style single draw brass telescope with a sunshade. The single draw has no split and the second cartridge is held in a long brass tube within the single draw, mounted from the objective end. The eyepiece is flat and at the end of the first draw in a very faded engraving that is believed to read "John Browning, 63 Strand, and should read London under the word strand but this is hard to establish given the engravings condition. This interpretation of the engraving has been arrived at by examination of other John Browning telescope engraving examples."John Browning, engraved to the first tube in copper plate style "63 STRAND" Engraved under in capital textflagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, shipwreck artefact, port phillip bay, port lonsdale lighthouse, wreck, 1960’s diver, queenscliff marine shop, john browning, telescope, spectroscopy, optometry, scientific instruments, william spencer browning, optician, navigational instrument, microscopical society of london, aeronautical society, marine technology

In 1885 John Francis Brown first planted 10 acres of vines in Milawa, Victoria. Brown Brothers was founded in 1889 when the vines were ready to produce their first crop, as John hoped his brothers would join him in this new and promising venture. This did not happen but the name remained. Since 1899 Brown Brothers has grown into one of Australia’s largest family-owned wine businesses and now operates several vineyards in Victoria and Tasmania. These ceramic jars were used by Brown Brothers in the 1970s and 1980s to package Port, Muscat and Tokay. Fortified wines packaged in this manner would maintain their quality for decades as long as the wax seal was unbroken. Elischer Pottery was started in Sandringham, Melbourne Victoria in 1947 by well-known sculptor John (Johann Wolfgang) Elischer (1891-1966) and his son, also named John, (known as Wolly). John (Snr) was born in Vienna and trained at the Academy of Vienna from 1908 to 1911 and was an Associate of the Royal Academy Vienna. John (Senior) died in 1966 and the business was continued by his son John (Wolly), until 1987 when it was sold. Prior to that, at some time, he started making pieces the brand NCP. The business continues today as “Unique Ceramics” in Highett, Victoria. They continue to use the “Elischer” brand on some of their products.This jug is representative of an historic and continuing leading Australian Winemaker located in Northeast Victoria.An earthenware wine jug created for Brown Brothers Milawa Vineyard manufactured by John Elischer Pottery. The jug has a tradition loop handle. The bottom half of the jug is a traditional beige colour with a darker brown top section. The logo is imprinted in black and is covered in a clear glaze. The cork stopper is still intact although before being opened would have been sealed with wax.Company logo on one side: at top a central male image between the text "Founding Father /John F Brown. In a central oval around the name "Milawa", BROWN BROTHERS/ VINEYARD AUSTRALIA" On base: "97"brown brothers milawa, elischer pottery, northeast victorian wineries

.1) Notice was placed in the newspaper by Wesley BERTUCH. .2) Both notices were placed by the family. Lindsay Noel Brown, National Serviceman, No 3790530, 3RAR 28.12.1967 - 26.5.1968 Wesley BERTUCH collection, refer catalogue No 1664.2.1) News paper death Notice, print in black relating to the death of Lindsay Noel Brown KIA Vietnam .2) Newspaper death notice , two on one piece relating to the death of Lindsay Noel Brown KIA Vietnam, has blue and black hand written on..1) “Brown Lindsay Noel” .2) (“On Active service”) In blue pen, “26 May”, In black pencil “1968”articles, newspapers, kia, vietnam

This is one of two cast brass nameplates of James & Alexander Brown in our collection. The Newcastle, NSW, firm was renowned for its coal mining and exporting business established in colonial Australia in 1843. The firm had an office in Melbourne and sold coal for commercial use and from the Wharf for the domestic market. The coal was then distributed along the southwest coast of Victoria in steamships or steam packets and into the regional areas of Victoria by cart and wagon. In 1890 there was a strike of coal workers but the Geelong Advertiser, September 1, 1890, announced that “a firm of coal merchants only recently received some large cargoes from Newcastle”. This supply of coal could have originated at the colliery of James & Alexander Brown. About James & Alexander Brown: - James (1816-1894), John (1823-1846) and Alexander Brown (1827-1877) migrated with their parents from Scotland to Sydney, Australia, in 1842. The next year James leased land and was assisted by his brothers Alexander and John in mining coal in the area near Maitland. The market was very competitive, with the government controlling prices. James was instrumental in a legal battle that resulted in the introduction of open competition for coal mining. James and Alexander had become business partners by 1852 and moved south of Newcastle where they established and worked a profitable mining enterprise. Their assets by 1857 included a ships’ chandlery, a fleet of steamships and an overseas trading business. They were the first firm to import rum, sugar and coffee into Newcastle. By 1892 they were exporting coal to New Zealand, China, North America, and various colonial ports. They had elaborate workshops to service their own steam engines and steamships. They were the first to use a steam collier vessel in Australian waters and they set up the second tug boat in Newcastle, the beginning of being owners of many more tug boats and performing a towing business. By 1868 James & Alexander Brown was the largest coal producer in the colony. James focused on managing the colliery and Alexander on overseas trade. It was estimated that the firm had produced over eight per cent of coal in New South Wales by 1914. James & Alexander Brown advertised in the Melbourne Herald in the early 1900s and kept an office at Queen Street, Melbourne as well as at the Wharf, stating their telephone numbers for both places. The coal was available for ‘Immediate Delivery’ for household and industrial purposes. The advertising claimed that their Pelaw Main coal was the famous household coal that met the highest test in Australia and burned bright and clean. Domestic customers could purchase the coal at the wharf or pay for delivery. Commercial customers could load their purchases into their steamships or wagons for further distribution into regional Victoria. After James’s death in 1894 his son John managed the firm, which was also known as J & A Brown. John passed away in 1930 and his sons took over. In 1931 the firm amalgamated with Abermain Seaham and the new name was J & A Brown & Abermain Seaham Collieries Ltd. commonly abbreviated to JABAS, which merged with Caledonian Collieries Ltd in 1960 and Coal & Allied Industries Ltd. was formed. The pair of nameplates is significant for its connection with the firm James & Alexander Brown. The firm was established in 1845 and became one of the largest collieries in colonial Australia. It was involved in trading within Australia and overseas. James was involved in the introduction of open competition for coal mining prices. They were the first to use a steam colliery in Australian waters and the first to import goods such as rum, sugar and coffee into New South Wales. The firm had a Melbourne office in the early 1900s, selling and distributing coal throughout Victoria, which likely included the Port of Warrnambool, which opened in 1890. The nameplates are likely to have originated from the Melbourne location.Brass Entrance Name Plate, one of a pair. Eight holes are formed through the plate; one in each corner, and four more holes are within the inscription area. The cast plate has three rows of text with the company’s name and type of business. The plate was owned by James & Alex. Brown. "JAMES & ALEXR. BROWN / COLLIERY PROPRIETORS / & STEAMSHIP OWNERS"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, nameplate, james & alexander brown, j & a brown, james & alexr brown, colliery proprietors, steamship owners, ship chandlers, coal mine, coal export, australian import, australian export, newcastle, colliers, coastal trade, steamships

This is one of two cast brass nameplates of James & Alexander Brown in our collection. The Newcastle, NSW, firm was renowned for its coal mining and exporting business established in colonial Australia in 1843. The firm had an office in Melbourne and sold coal for commercial use and from the Wharf for the domestic market. The coal was then distributed along the southwest coast of Victoria in steamships or steam packets and into the regional areas of Victoria by cart and wagon. In 1890 there was a strike of coal workers but the Geelong Advertiser, September 1, 1890, announced that “a firm of coal merchants only recently received some large cargoes from Newcastle”. This supply of coal could have originated at the colliery of James & Alexander Brown. About James & Alexander Brown: - James (1816-1894), John (1823-1846) and Alexander Brown (1827-1877) migrated with their parents from Scotland to Sydney, Australia, in 1842. The next year James leased land and was assisted by his brothers Alexander and John in mining coal in the area near Maitland. The market was very competitive, with the government controlling prices. James was instrumental in a legal battle that resulted in the introduction of open competition for coal mining. James and Alexander had become business partners by 1852 and moved south of Newcastle where they established and worked a profitable mining enterprise. Their assets by 1857 included a ships’ chandlery, a fleet of steamships and an overseas trading business. They were the first firm to import rum, sugar and coffee into Newcastle. By 1892 they were exporting coal to New Zealand, China, North America, and various colonial ports. They had elaborate workshops to service their own steam engines and steamships. They were the first to use a steam collier vessel in Australian waters and they set up the second tug boat in Newcastle, the beginning of being owners of many more tug boats and performing a towing business. By 1868 James & Alexander Brown was the largest coal producer in the colony. James focused on managing the colliery and Alexander on overseas trade. It was estimated that the firm had produced over eight per cent of coal in New South Wales by 1914. James & Alexander Brown advertised in the Melbourne Herald in the early 1900s and kept an office at Queen Street, Melbourne as well as at the Wharf, stating their telephone numbers for both places. The coal was available for ‘Immediate Delivery’ for household and industrial purposes. The advertising claimed that their Pelaw Main coal was the famous household coal that met the highest test in Australia and burned bright and clean. Domestic customers could purchase the coal at the wharf or pay for delivery. Commercial customers could load their purchases into their steamships or wagons for further distribution into regional Victoria. After James’s death in 1894 his son John managed the firm, which was also known as J & A Brown. John passed away in 1930 and his sons took over. In 1931 the firm amalgamated with Abermain Seaham and the new name was J & A Brown & Abermain Seaham Collieries Ltd. commonly abbreviated to JABAS, which merged with Caledonian Collieries Ltd in 1960 and Coal & Allied Industries Ltd. was formed. The pair of nameplates is significant for its connection with the firm James & Alexander Brown. The firm was established in 1845 and became one of the largest collieries in colonial Australia. It was involved in trading within Australia and overseas. James was involved in the introduction of open competition for coal mining prices. They were the first to use a steam colliery in Australian waters and the first to import goods such as rum, sugar and coffee into New South Wales. The firm had a Melbourne office in the early 1900s, selling and distributing coal throughout Victoria, which likely included the Port of Warrnambool, which opened in 1890. The nameplates are likely to have originated from the Melbourne location.Brass Entrance Name Plate, one of a pair. Eight holes are formed through the plate; one in each corner, and four more holes are within the inscription area. The cast plate has three rows of text with the company’s name and type of business. The plate was owned by James & Alex. Brown. "JAMES & ALEXR. BROWN / COLLIERY PROPRIETORS / & STEAMSHIP OWNERS"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, nameplate, james & alexander brown, j & a brown, james & alexr brown, colliery proprietors, steamship owners, ship chandlers, coal mine, coal export, australian import, australian export, newcastle, colliers, coastal trade, steamships