When the early settlers arrived in Illawarra, they were isolated from trading at the markets in Sydney.

 The earliest vessels called regularly to deliver goods and take farmers’ produce to market. 

As the area grew so did the need for a good transport system, not only for passengers but also for mail, livestock – such as pigs – and general goods. 

Storekeepers depended heavily on Sydney merchants for supplies  such as fabrics, household goods, medicines and especially beer and spirits.

It was not until 1842, after the dissolution of the General Steam Navigational Company, that moves were made to establish a steam navigational company for the Illawarra. 

A general meeting was held in the Public School House at Wollongong on January 22, 1842. 

The chairman, Dr John Osborne, outlined that there was a need to form such a  company. 

In all there were seven resolutions passed and a provisional committee was formed.

For the purpose of establishing a company, it was proposed that the capital needed would be £5000, which could be raised with the sale of 1000 shares at £5 per share.

No more is known of the formation of the new company until an announcement appeared in the newspaper of a proposed public meeting to be held on July 22, 1852, at the Long Room at Robert Osborne’s Hotel. This notice was authorised by George Underwood Alley, provisional secretary. 

The purpose of this meeting was to form the Illawarra Steam Navigational Company. 

The prospectus proposed the purchase of a paddleboat steamer of between 110 and 130 tons, large enough to suit the trade of the district. 

The proposal was widely accepted. Until October 1, residents who did not have property in the district were not allowed to purchase shares in the company. A further advertisement on  October 16, 1852, notified that surplus shares were now available to the public.  

The issue must have been successful because a new 154-ton steamer, Illawarra, was placed in service between Sydney and Wollongong from October 1854. 

The steamer departed Phoenix Wharf at Darling Harbour, Sydney, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10am and made the return trip from Wollongong Harbour every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at noon.

In May 1858, an advertisement appeared from Percy Owen, solicitor for the Kiama Steam Navigational Company. 

It was proposed that an application be made to the NSW Parliament to amend the 1853 Kiama Steam Navigational Act to become the Illawarra Steam Navigational Act. 

The legislation was enacted in October 1858.

Over the years the company expanded its operations and traded as far south as Moruya. 

With the introduction of the railway to Sydney in 1888, passenger numbers travelling by steamer reduced considerably, although transporting of produce increased.

The Illawarra Navigational Company was also referred to as the ‘‘Pig and Whistle Run’’. 

This name came about when pigs were kept in cages on the deck of the steamers. 

When a vessel neared a port of call, the master sounded the whistle, to announce its imminent arrival. 

The blowing of the whistle caused the pigs aboard to squeal.

The Illawarra Navigational Company was a great success and operated well into the 20th century, to the surprise of business operators and residents of Wollongong. 

 Information courtesy of Carol Herben OAM. Call 0409 832 854 or email  sycado6@bigpond.net.au

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