Queensland Steam Shipping Company

The Queensland Steam Shipping Company (QSS Co) was a shipping company of Australia from 1881 to 1887.

In 1881, the British India Steam Navigation Company was operating a regular mail steamer service from Brisbane to England via the Torres Strait and it wishes to provide coastal services to connect with the mail steamer. The Queensland Steam Shipping Company was formed by the British India Steam Navigation Company with Charles Parbury, James Burns and McIlwraith McEacharn & Company with headquarters in Brisbane. The company was registered in London in August 1881.

Initially the company offers a service from Brisbane to Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, Port Douglas and Cooktown. In September 1882, the company spent £25,000 to purchase the Tasmanian Wharf in Sydney to extend their services to Sydney. Later the company extended their services to Normanton, Burketown, Thursday Island and New Guinea.

On 30 May 1884, two of the company's ships, the Archer and Taldora collided in Moreton Bay. Although it was a serious collision, fortunately there were no deaths or serious injuries. The Marine Board inquiry censured Captain Lowries of the Archer for making in error of judgement in navigation.

The shipping company was amalgamated with the Australasian Steam Navigation Company with their respective vessels in 1887 to form the Australasian United Steam Navigation Company.

The company's first ship was the SS Gunga (189 tons net).

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