The Loch Line was started in 1867 as the Glasgow Shipping Company by William Aitken and James Lilburn, who used the business methods of bygone years (visiting intending shippers daily and personally supervising the loading and dispatching of vessels) to great effect long after others had given up the practice. The Loch Line clippers were held up by seamen as examples of what well run and comfortable ships could and should be. The Line carried first, second and third class passengers The usual route was to load general cargo and passengers at Glasgow and then sail to Adelaide. The ships then sailed to Melbourne or Sydney where they loaded wool or grain, generally for London. Fares charged at the end of the 19th century were £40 to Melbourne, £42 to Sydney and £76 for a return trip.

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