PS Adelaide towing barges

[dragoncity]

I have just seen a excellent photograph of the P.S Adelaide on the Murray
towing three(3) of the same type of barges ( timber ) I have posted photos of on
Paddleducks.

What is of particular interest is that the RUDDERS of the intermediate
barges are removed, unfortunately the last barge is not clear but I assume that it
has the only rudder fitted. The stem & sterns are fixed by quite short tow lines
offering only a short gap between. She must have looked like a "road-train"
coming along the river.

Also the Adelaide has the 'Square' paddleboxes, not the original round type
she has today. The photo must have been taken before she was placed in the
park at Echuca ( around 1960) when she was still a working boat.

And yes, Derek, she still has the canvas blind fitted

cheers,

Brett S Hallett

[Mike Mayhew]

Hi Bret, I obtained a wonderful video of ADELAIDE from the Port of Echuca
and an excellent book on the history of the old girl. I learnt a lot form
them. I think that the very high tow point is quite unique to these craft as
an ex Tug Master, I like my tow hook well down! Waverley Mike.

[Dai Powell]

Hi Mike,
Just a comment regarding having your tow hook low down, no
doubt your experiences as a tug master would have been in a deep sea
type environment, I guess towboating along the Murray River system
and others in Australia would have been subject to much different
weather and tidal forces together with drought and flash flood
conditions to say nothing of winding courses and unexpected "snags",
I'm sure the combination of all these would have had some influence
on the location of the towing "hook" mounting
position. .............Dai Powell