BHP Shipping

In 1917, shipping agent William Scott Fell & Co arranged for BHP to purchase a share in the steamer SS Koolonga.

BHP purchased the ship outright on 30 July 1918 and it was renamed SS Iron Monarch.

[1][2] Captain William Halley, former master of the Emerald Wings, became Marine Superintendent of the Shipping Department.

However, in 1939 the company accepted a government request to establish a shipbuilding facility at Whyalla.

From that time some of the ships were used to carry coal, coke and iron ore to export customers.