Adelaide Steamship Company's advertisement is for its new steamers South Australian, Victorian and Aldinga operating on the run to Melbourne. The company is offering reduced fares. The Adelaide Steamship Company was aggressive as it sought a monopoly on South Australian coastal and inter colonial trade. It could not force all of its competitors out of business but it did engage in fierce rate wars which often ended with it gaining an upper hand.

Founded in late 1874 or 1875 the Adelaide Steamship Company began operations with the steamship Flinders, which had in fact been built for the Spencer's Gulf Steamship Company, in some manoeuvering by share holders in both companies. ASC bought South Australian and Victorian in 1876 and 1877. Almost identical in size at 716 and 718 tons, both ships could carry 100 passengers, had a cruising speed of 14 knots and used about 30 tons of coal a day. They were considered luxurious, speedy and efficient.

The Aldinga was an older ship, purchased from McMeckan, Blackwood in 1877. ASC sold it in 1883 as it was becoming too costly to run.

John Turnbull became Secretary of Adelaide Steamship Company in 1877, replacing Herbert Evans.