In 1904 the Bond government responded to complaints about the Reid service, and a deteriorating relationship with the Company, by subsidizing two Bowring vessels (
Portia and Prospero) and re-instituting the old north and south routes. (Although all the steamers have since been known as "coastal boats" originally only the "outside" steamers were called coastal boats, the others being known as "bay boats.") In 1912 Crosbie's
Sagona and
Fogota were added as well. The Reids also added to the Alphabet Fleet in later years, acquiring
Invermore for the Gulf run after
Bruce sank in 1911, the legendary
Kyle for the Labrador in 1913, as well as
Lintrose and
Meigle.
Lintrose was sold to the Russian government in 1915, followed by the second
Bruce in 1916.
Fogota was sold in Europe and both
Ethie and
Dundee were lost in 1919.