PS William the Fourth [Newcastle, NSW, Australia]

[Roderick Smith]

This replica of an early vessel was built as a bicentennial gesture, c1988.
The vessel then ran public & charter cruises on Hunter River, between Newcastle and Morpeth.
The last few years have been troubled, with the boat out of service and deteriorating on a slip at Carrington (a Newcastle suburb).
Volunteers were performing essential maintenance to stop it from disintegrating or becoming unrepairable.
There has been a war of words between them and Newcastle Council.
The volunteers blame council for delaying essential slipping, resulting in worm damage to the hull, and making repair work AUD200 000 more expensive.
Council has offered the project for sale.
Dungog Council has expressed interest, but subject to federal funding for restoration.

One helpful reference is:
www.smh.com.au/news/New-South-Wales/Clarence-Town/2005/02/17/1108500193304.html

Regrettably, I didn't have the time to head north for any weekend when some of my railway groups were running charters.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's  - Roderick, in the original PD site some 3 years back I posted snaps of the  PS William IV as taken by a work colleague when she was against the refit wharf @ FORGACS [floating dock] Newcastle

My snaps were lost when I suffered a C drive failure  :ohno  :boom in Y 2004

I checked the FORGACS website tonight, but they offer no old time history on line

The rendition of the PS William IV vessel was  :bow spectacular in presentation - tis a pitty we don't have any resident OZ 'novacastrian' in PD's - Derek

[Roderick Smith]

I don't know a Novocastrian Paddleducker, but I do have a railway-enthusiast contact there (who supplied me with the newspaper clipping on which my earlier post was based).  His comments:
'There was much discussion about dragging the remaining rotting carcas of William the Fourth from Newcastle, where it is currently dry docked, to a purpose-built shed and museum proposed to be constructed at Clarence Town. This will involve the permanent display of it in the museum, as people are finding it more and more cost prohibitive to repair the relatively young vessel back to some sort of servicable condition. This is a great shame, as people have invested many hundreds of thousands of dollars and man hours into the project, only to see it rotting away.
I remember as a 6 year old being taken to Raymond Terrace by my father to bear witness as they were progressing with the construction of the vessel in the lead up to the bicentenary in 1988. It was quite captivating looking at the intricate wooden skeletal mass sitting in its purpose-built three sided shed, and being intoxicated by the smell of the freshly worked hardwoods'.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[tonyh]

Roderick,
             This is sad story, I can remember watching this vessel on the Australian series "The Liners", as previously said in the Plans and Drawings section of this Forum.
             The Paddler looks very impressive, sailing across Newcastle Bay in this programme. Seeing her on the the seas I questioned as to why the P.S.Waverley was the last seagoing paddle steamer. Obviously this is not now not a valid question.
              Do keep us informed as to any further progress
Tony

[Roderick Smith]

I have extracted from two messages forwarded by the new committee.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

The next few years will be very important as we bring our heritage to  the public in new ways better than ever before.
Fort Scratchley will become a place we will all be proud of.
The new Maritime Centre will showcase one of Australia's best and  proudest maritime histories.
The hi-tech redevelopment of the Regional Museum will be beyond  everyone's expectations.
The recent discovery of the oldest railway relic in Australia - a piece
of AA Co. rail dating back to Stephenson's Rocket (pre 1830), will allow
this region's title of the birthplace of Rail in Australia to become a  showcase for railways.
The $3.7million provided by BHP will allow the hi-tech attraction based  on our steel history to be completed.
The next few years will make Newcastle a real tourist destination not
unlike that demonstrated by the recent Pasha Bulker attraction [an empty coal-carrying ship which was beached in a storm, but was refloated after several attempts].
An important part of this attraction package is William the Fourth.
The ship has suffered badly in the hands of its caretakers over the
past four years. But it is not a lost cause, and can still be returned
to a place of value in our maritime interpretation on Newcastle
harbour.
Council has wasted a lot of money for no result, but is still willing
to hand it back to the community, with limited financial assistance.
A small group of dedicated supporters are now launching a rescue
campaign to return to ship to operating condition.
The plan is to install twin diesel engines with props (similar to  Bounty and
Endeavour) and to simulate the steam engine experience, and restore the
fabric of the ship to first class condition. The ship will operate from
the new Maritime Centre, with opportunites to work in Port Stephens and
Lake Macquarie as required.
With the assistance of several strong corporate sponsors we are about
to launch an appeal to raise the balance of the $100 000 needed to
return our ship to life. We need more people to join the team, and cash
to achieve this goal.
On Wed.18.7 we are holdiing a public launch of the plan. We urge you to spead the word and ask everyone you can to come and show support for this important Hunter project.
Many of you will have memories of the magic of touring Newcastle
harbour and learning of our maritime heritage on board William the
Fourth in the past.
The future of tourism here requires us to continue this unique experience.
I ask you to do everything you can to help revive William the Fourth.

[williamthefourth@pacific.net.au]
New offers of support for the ship have commenced.
The media launch of the fund-raising drive
to rescue William the Fourth will take place at the ship, on Wed.18.7 at Sensation Yachts Shipyard ­ 50 Fitzroy St, Carrington. You will be able inspect the hull.
The incorporation of William the Fourth Inc. has commenced, and the
ship now has an email address, a phone and postal address.
(Bob Cook, Convener William the Fourth Committee)

The replica of William the Fourth was built on the banks of the Williams River, Raymond Terrace from 1985 to 1987 and was launched by Hazel Hawke on 26.9.1987.

William the Fourth, first Australian coastal steamship replica was constructed as a community Bicentenary project. Its principal dimensions are:
LOA      32.3 m
L (Deck)  26.5 m
LBP  24 m
B (MLD)    4.8 m
B (Extreme) 9.2 m
Depth (MLD)   2.5 m
Draught (mean)  1.6 m
Wheel diameter 2.4 m

Displacement (load)  110 tonnes

Speed  6 knots (11 km/h) in smooth conditions
Engine Specifications:
Two cylinder compound double acting side lever steam engine.  
Cylinders 250 mm dia, and 500 mm dia x 750 mm stroke
1000 kPa (150 psi) boiler pressure
Nominal 75 kW (100 hp) at 40 rpm
Weight of Engine 8750 kg
Boiler scotch wet black 2000-2500 lb/w (150 psi)

For photos: see www.alkiraboats.com.au/william_IV.php

[Roderick Smith]

On Tues.24.7 night, Newcastle City Council voted
unanimously to transfer ownership of William the Fourth to a new
community group William the Fourth Inc.
The group must now become serious about raising $100 000 to
get the ship back into operation.
There are many issues to be resolved, and the group will call a meeting as  soon as possible seeking ideas and support to make it happen.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

I am now on the regular update mailing list, although it is a project too remote for me.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

Here is the 11.8.07 update, from Bob Cook (convenor of the new committee, now going through the stages of becoming incorporated).
[bobcook@pacific.net.au]

Newcastle City Council, which has owned the ship since 1992, voted in Dec.02 to spend money on preservation of the ship and then hand it to a local community organisation.
In the almost 5 years since then, the council has spent considerable money while overseeing the gradual deteioration of the ship to the point that it will not float.
Late in 2006, the council voted to dispose of the ship on the open market. By July 2007 it had become obvious that noone wanted it in its present condition.

The local group which had been interested in taking ownership throughout the 5 years is now moving towards taking ownership (with the increased problem of having to undertake repairs) and returning the ship to operation.
To do this we need to raise at least $100 000 in addition to existing offers of support.

Over the last 3 weeks discussions with various stakeholders have progressed, and the tasks are now defined under seven headings:
* Formation of William The Fourth Inc.
* Contract to transfer ownership from Council
* Fundraising for repairs and long-term
* Reengining project - design and funding
* Sensation Yachts – costs and access issues
* Contract for repairs
* Permanent home berth at Honeysuckle

To allow all interested persons to particpate in the process and be updated on progress, we are holding a meeting on  Thurs.16.8 at the new Maritime Centre, Honeysuckle Dve, Newcastle.
Anyone who is interested in supporting the ship is invited to attend this meeting. Please pass on this invitation.
If you require any further information, or can offer any help, don’t hesitate to contact me [williamthefourth@pacific.net.au].

[Roderick Smith]

I was in Newcastle for a 3 day railway event, with Tues.6.11 spare.
By special approval from a senior manager of the secure site where PS William the Fourth is stored on a trailer, I was allowed to enter the area and take photos (this took quite a bit of negotiation, and is not available at short notice, or widely).
I enclose my first view, which is the only glimpse available from a public area.  This was taken across Throsby Creek, which houses most marinas and has waterside flats (aparments) and restaurants.

I am not a good judge of wooden hull condition, but it didn't seem to be as gloom and doom as earlier messages indicated.  However, the earlier information is that the problem is worm damage to the hull planking, not leaking caulking.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

Here are two more photos.  I did take lots of angles.

Regards
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

The latest news bulletin has just arrived:

William the Fourth Inc. is proceeding towards taking ownership soon.
Sensation Yachts is now willing to consider repairs being undertaken at its site.  
Council has approved $74 000 of funds; money is ready to hand over. Council has also agreed to pay all of Sensation Yachts costs in getting the ship back in the water, leaving the $74 000 all for hull repairs.
Bloomfield Colliery has agreed to provide diesel engines.
Council is currently preparing an ownership transfer contract.
When all the paperwork is acceptable to all parties, we will be ready to start the real work, repairs to return to the water and fit engines.

We need many new members and sponsors.
Membership is AUD25 for individuals.
Contact: williamthefourth @ pacific.net.au

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor