Aberdeen Line This company, ply ing between London and Australia, via the Cape. Founded in Aberdeen in 1824, has occupied for three quarters of a century a prominent position in the Australian cargo and passenger trade; due in the first instance to the runs of their noted clippers to Melbourne and Sydney. The Aberdeen, built in 1881 was the first ocean steamer to demonstrate decisively the superior merits of triple expansion engines. The total tonnage now only includes one sailing vessel of tons, the old clippers having. Been replaced by modern steamships. The M ii tiades holds the record from London to Melbourne via the Cape', her steaming time being 34 days, actual time from port to port 35 days.