The Federal Steam Navigation Company was formed in 1895. It was the direct descendant of the London shipowning firm of Money Wigram & Sons a very old firm that had been trading to Australia for many years.
In 1912 the Federal Line was taken over by the New Zealand Shipping Company but kept trading under its own name. In 1916 both of these companies were swallowed up by the giant P&O Lines .
In the year 1922 after much ado, the Federal Steam Navigation Company ceased its passenger trade.