PS Kookaburra

[dragoncity]

Paul, this was the hawking boat that 'unkind' words were cast her way upon
launch ! -- however the owner found her to be a most profitable craft !!
So he had the last laugh !

( I assume you "Northerns' know that the Kookaburra (bird) is also know as
the Laughing Jackass !!)

As for the 'fan' - I have no idea, I assume that it was aa sort of air
conditioner for the shop ( or perhaps a 'bull s..t extractor !!)
The boat operated from 1917 to 1928 as a shop, so electricity was certainly
available. (sunk near Nyah downriver from Swan Hill on the Murray, 1960)

One account of her is quite interesting, originally she was a barge (100ft)
called
the 'Flo D' fitted out as a shop, to accompany the sternwheeler Merle ( also
a hawking boat). The Merle sank in a storm on Lake Alexandrina in March 1917,
the Merle was raise, but sold off , her steam gear moved to a lengthened Flo
D (141ft) and the engine and boiler fitted, then renamed KooKaburra

QUOTE : "driving a peculiar stern-wheel arrangement in which twin wheels were
placed at the stern, either side of the engine. The boiler placed well forward
for balance" ( from book "The wheels still turn" , page 132)

Note the reference to engine singular. So I assume direct drive to both wheels

I must follow up some of those interesting links published in this issue.

--- What does the term 'quarter wheeler' actually mean ?

Cheers,
Brett

[Alistair Deayton]

It means that the wheels are on the stern quarter, as distinct from a
side-wheeler with the wheels on the side of the boat, or a sternwheeler,
with a wheel across the stern.

Alistair Deayton