Convicts & Colonials: Business & Retail

The first business in Ipswich was a bush store established by George and Jane Thorn which stocked cabbage tree hats, slops and general supplies.

John Panton arrived in Moreton Bay in 1851 and established Panton and Co in Brisbane Street. He built a two storey stone warehouse on the riverbank in 1855, then in 1858, built his home "Claremont" nearby.

Steam Ship owners and companies
The steamer owners were a colourful group. Some appear to have been ship’s captains who eventually managed to buy their own vessel. Some were hopefuls who saw opportunities in the river trade. Others were businessmen who bought a steamer as an extension of their existing operations.

There were also several shipping companies. The most important of these was the Australasian Steam Navigation Company (ASN) which began as the Hunter’s River Steam Navigation Company (HRSN), established to provide a better service to people living along the Hunter River in New South Wales. The company placed orders in Britain for three ships. Rose was completed first, reaching Sydney in early April 1841. Thistle and Shamrock arrived later the same year. 

With the arrival of Shamrock, the company expanded and began a coastal service to Moreton Bay. The first trip took place in January 1842 carrying 78 passengers and a full cargo. William Kent was appointed as agent.