PS Canberra

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The River Boat Canberra (8426021363).jpg
The PS Canberra on the Murray River
History
Murray River Flag (Combined).svg Australia
NameCanberra
OwnerBFER Pty Ltd (Tony and Genny Nunan)
OperatorMurray River Paddlesteamers
Route River Murray, Australia
OrderedJ D Conner
BuilderDavid Milne and Son [1]
Laid down1912
Launched1913
Maiden voyage1913
Homeport Echuca, Victoria (Australia)
Nickname(s)The Canny
StatusIn active service
General characteristics
Class and typePaddle steamer
Tonnage51 gross
Length74 ft (22.6 m)
Beam15 ft (4.6 m)
Draught2 ft (0.6 m)
Depth of hold4 ft (1.2 m)
NotesData compiled from several sources [2]

PS Canberra is an original paddle steamer operated by Murray River Paddlesteamers in Echuca. [2]

Contents

History

The PS Canberra under construction (c. 1912) PS Canberra under construction (c. 1912).png
The PS Canberra under construction (c. 1912)
The Conner family on the deck of the PS Canberra during her maiden voyage (1913) PS Canberra (featuring Conner family) - 1913.jpg
The Conner family on the deck of the PS Canberra during her maiden voyage (1913)

PS Canberra was commissioned to be built in 1912 by the Conner Family, She was built at the mouth of the Murray in Goolwa, South Australia. Originally used as a single deck fishing steamer by the Connor family at Boundary Bend, she was part of their large fishing fleet which consisted of the PS Etona and PS Ranger.

The Canberra was sold to the Collins family in Mildura , in 1945. It was here that the second deck was added and she pioneered the tourist trade. [1]

Former Murray River steamboat captain Charles Frederick William Payne (Captain of the PS Mannum, PS Marion, and PS Gem) noted the Canberra as being "afloat at Mildura, now an excursion boat" in 1947. [3] In May 1951, Governor of Victoria Sir Dallas Brooks cancelled a trip on the PS Canberra, opting instead to play golf after enjoying his experience at the Red Cliffs RSL Centenary Golf tournament the day before. [4]

In January 1953, the PS Canberra was purchased by Captain Hilary Hogg (Royal Australian Navy veteran, formerly of the PS Kookaburra), to operate excursions and charter trips in Renmark. [5] The purchase was proceeded by a series of renovations, painting, and improvements. [6] Governor of South Australia Sir Robert George took his first trip on the Murray River, aboard the PS Canberra, on October 11, 1953. [7]

In 1966, the Echuca Tourist Promotion Council was formed, with one of their earliest projects being to operate a paddleboat for daily excursions. [8] As a result, during the 1960s The PS Canberra and the PS Melbourne were switched; the Canberra steamed to Echuca and the Melbourne to Mildura. The Canberra arrived in Echuca on the afternoon of Saturday, 24 December 1966. [8] Once again the Canberra became a pioneer of tourism. In early 1964, the Canberra's steam engine was described as "spotless in green enamel and polished brass, her shining piston rod and valve gear reciprocating nobly". [9] In 1971, the steam engine was found to be in poor condition, and was considered unworthy of repair. A Perkins Marine Diesel engine was installed, with work completed in November 1971. This engine was connect to the original fitting, giving the unusual impression that the "steam engine was still driving the boat". [8]

The PS Canberra was purchased by the owners of the PS Emmylou and PV Pride of the Murray in 2001. Shortly after Easter 2002, the vessel began a refit on the Moama slip. Much of the original deckhouse was removed, a number of hull planks were removed, and the diesel enine was replaced with a portable 1923 Marshall and Sons portable steam engine. [8] [10] The 'PS Canberra was repainted with a new colour scheme, and resumed regular service in May 2003. [8]

The PS Canberra is the oldest river boat in the Murray River Paddlesteamer fleet, having celebrated her century in August 2013.

Modern Day

Following her purchase in 2001, the Canberra underwent a 9-month restoration during 2002-2003 and was returned to being steam powered once again.

The PS Canberra operates as a tourist attraction in Echuca, running daily hour long journeys.

Particulars

PS Canberra is powered by a 1923 wood-fired Marshall compound steam engine. [2]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moama</span> Town in New South Wales, Australia

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<i>Alexander Arbuthnot</i> (paddle steamer)

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PS <i>Ruby</i> (1907)

The PS Ruby, also known as the Paddle Steamer Ruby is the flagship of the historic port of Wentworth, New South Wales at the junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers. She is a composite hull paddle steamer that features a 1926 Robey & Co 20 nominal horsepower portable steam engine. Between 1996 and 2007 she was restored to her early 20th-century appearance.

PS <i>Waimarie</i> Paddle steamer in New Zealand

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PS <i>Adelaide</i>

PS Adelaide is the oldest wooden hulled paddle steamer still operating anywhere in the world.. It is now moored at the Echuca Wharf and used for special occasions.

PS <i>Success</i>

PS Success is a historic paddle steamer in Victoria, Australia. Originally built as a snagging steamer in June 1877, it is currently being restored by the Port of Echuca to full working order. When operational, it will be added to the fleet of paddle steamers at Echuca Wharf.

PS <i>Pevensey</i>

PS Pevensey is a historic paddle steamer, with its original steam engine, in the fleet of steamers at Echuca Wharf, Victoria, Australia. Built in 1911, it traded on the Murray River until about 1958. In 1973 it was brought by Echuca for restoration and now operates as a tourist boat.

PS <i>Emmylou</i>

PS Emmylou is a paddle steamer operated by Murray River Paddlesteamers in Echuca, used for both day and overnight accommodation cruises.

PV <i>Pride of the Murray</i>

PV Pride of the Murray, like many other Australian paddle wheelers, started out life as a timber logging barge. It was built at Echuca on the Murray River in 1924, and relaunched as a tourist vessel in 1977, also at Echuca. In 2022 the vessel was transported overland to Longreach, Queensland, for use as a tourist attraction on the Thompson River.

PS <i>Hero</i>

The Hero is a paddle steamer that was built at Echuca in 1874 by George Linklater. The working life of Hero first ended in 1957, but it was later restored c2000 as a first class luxury paddle steamer finely fitted-out for private charters.

This is a list of captains and boat owners and others important in the history of the Murray-Darling steamer trade, predominantly between 1850 and 1950.

PS <i>Enterprise</i>

PS <i>Gem</i> Side-wheel paddle steamer

The PS Gem is a retired side-wheel paddle steamer that was first launched in 1876 on the Murray River at Moama, New South Wales. She operated as a cargo and passenger steamer, regularly cruising between Morgan and Mildura. The Gem operated as a tourist passenger vessel during the 1930s and 1940s, and was retired in the early 1950s. In 1962 the Gem was sold to the then Swan Hill Folk Museum, where it would become a static display and historic monument.

PV Pyap Paddle vessel at Pioneer Settlement, Swan Hill

The PV Pyap is a tourist paddle vessel operating within Swan Hill's Pioneer Settlement. Originally launched as a barge in July 1896 at Mannum, the Pyap was completed as a paddle steamer in late 1897 and operated on the Murray River. In 1970, the Pyap was purchased by Toby Henson and refitted with a diesel enginge, with the intention of relocation to the Pioneer Settlement.

PV Amphibious Vessel in Echuca, Victoria

The PV Amphibious is a diesel-powered paddle vessel based in Echuca, Victoria. She was constructed in Melbourne in 1875 by Bevan & Cooke, and started life as a screw steamer in 1876.

References

  1. 1 2 "Canberra". Australian National Maritime Museum. 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "P.S. Canberra". Murray River Paddlesteamers. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  3. ↑ "A Jewel Casket". Trove. Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser. 19 June 1947. p. 1. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  4. ↑ "Vice-Regal Party Have Big Week End". Trove. The Age. 28 May 1951. p. 6. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  5. ↑ "River Boat Again for Murray Trips". Trove. The Chronicle. 15 January 1953. p. 8. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  6. ↑ "Captain Hogg in New River Venture". Trove. The Riverine Herald. 9 February 1953. p. 1. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  7. ↑ "Governor Visits Barmera R.S.L." The Advertiser. Trove. 12 October 1953. p. 13. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Plowman, Peter (2005). Murray Darling Paddleboats. Dural Delivery Centre: Rosenberg Publishing Pty Ltd. p. 15. ISBN   1877058378.
  9. ↑ "The River Boats Look Brave Again". Trove. The Canberra Times. 16 May 1964. p. 19. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  10. ↑ "52nd Steam Rally". No. 52. Echuca Moama: McPherson Media Group. Rotary Club of Echuca Moama. 6–7 June 2015. p. 14. Retrieved 24 February 2022.

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