June - July 07 Murray River cruise [Australia]

[Roderick Smith]

I posted advance notice to my other maritime forums, and to direct contacts, before I knew that Paddleducks existed.  It seems that people on this forum are the most likely to be excited by this event, and the most likely to crew vessels (Australian members) or to take the opportunity to trek to Australia.

With the resurgence of interest in heritage paddleboats, and the construction of replicas, it has become fashionable to celebrate river events by assembling a fleet of private vessels and ones preserved by groups.  Commercial vessels tend to stay home, making money.  For many years, there was a Signal Point race program.  The first event, held at Goolwa, was won by PV Rothbury.  The rules stated that subsequent races would be held at the winner's home port: Rothbury has won every one since.

The major rallies which I have attended and reported were:
* Source to Sea (2001), marking the centenary of federation.  Planned for Echuca - Goolwa, but ran as Mildura - Goolwa.
* Randell - Cadell 150th, marking the anniversary of the first commercial paddlesteamers on Murray River.  Planned for Goolwa - Swan Hill, and able to continue to Echuca/Moama (site of Maiden's punt).
I have also been present at smaller ones: Wentworth Junction Rally, 150th anniversary of the Goolwa - Port Elliot Railway, Koondrook/Barham bridge centenary, 50th anniversary of the floods at Wentworth, various Echuca sailpasts.

The 2007 rally marks the centenary of construction of PS Ruby and PS Canally, and will run from Morgan (SA) to Koondrook/Barham (Vic. & NSW twin towns), but many vessels will continue to Echuca if possible.
* PS Ruby was one of the big four passenger steamers, and has been under restoration at Wentworth.  It was recommissioned at Junction Rally in 2004, but was still not steamable then.  It should be steamable from Dec.06.  It was built at Morgan.
* PS Canally is under restoration at Euston/Robinvale.  It was built at Koondrook/Barham.
The rally is attracting many private and club-operated vessels (including my own Jessie II, a Tennessee riverboat).
There will be many cruising possibilities for enthusiasts:
* PS Marion is running staged voyages Mannum - Morgan - Loxton - Renmark - Wentworth, and Mildura - Renmark - Morgan - Mannum.  See the website.  The Renmark - Wentworth sector has been booked out for months (I am aboard).
* PV Murray River Queen (based at Waikerie) will run one or two stages with the fleet, but has not yet announced the program.
* PV Coonawarra will run a cruise to meet the fleet, from Mildura down to lock 9 or lower (but not below lock 7).
* PS Emmylou plans to run from Echuca to Koondrook/Barham.
* PS Industry always runs day sectors when participating.  It will probably run from Morgan to lock 6, but no higher.
* PS Oscar W  has not had a survey for public cruising hitherto.  The work has been in progress for a year for survey.  If awarded, it will convey passengers for day sectors throughout.  If not, it will be in survey by its own centenary voyage, Goolwa - Echuca in 2008 (it was built at Echuca).

The key dates are: 22.6.07 assemble at Cadell; 23.6 ceremonial entry into Morgan; 24.6 ceremonies at Morgan.
25-27.6: Morgan - Loxton; 28.6 at Loxton for the town's centenary celebration.
29.6-5.7: Loxton - Renmark - Wentworth. 6.7 rest. 7&8.7: Wentworth Junction Rally (a combination of paddleboats, agricultural machinery and motor cars).
9-25.7: Wentworth - Mildura - Euston (rest day) - Swan Hill (rest day) - Koondrook/Barham.

Sean has posted elsewhere in Paddleducks that he hopes to have his own paddleboat completed in time to be present for part of the rally (he does have to fit around school dates).

Paddleboats not entering the extended voyage usually make some ceremonial cruising on the day when the fleet is at their home port.

Paddleduckers coming in pairs could hire a car and hunt in tandem: one drives while one cruises.  There aren't many paddleboats outside the Morgan - Echuca reach which won't be present for some/all of the time, or viewable along the way.
* Goolwa: Killawara, Federal, Captain Sturt and a couple of small ones.
* Murray Bridge: Captain Proud, Explorer (former Proud Mary), Madam Jade, Cato & Colonel (Matilda may join the fleet).
* Mannum: Tarella, Decoy and a small one [Murray River Princess may be at Morgan].
* Cobram/Barooga: Julie Fay.
* Yarrawonga: a modern sternwheeler.
* Albury: Cumberoona.
Elsewhere:
* Perth: PS Decoy
* Tasmania: PS Murray Queen (small).
* Melbourne: PV Lady Stelfox (actually MV with fake paddles).
* Sydney: two or three fake Mississippi showboats.
* Bourke: Jandra
* Brisbane: two fake Mississippi showboats.
* Longreach: Thomson Belle.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

Water levels are such that the planned June-July 07 fleet voyage from Morgan (SA) to Koondrook/Barham (Vic./NSW) has been postponed to 2008, in conjunction with the centenary voyage of Oscar W from Goolwa to Echuca and return.
See www.nangilocps.vic.edu.au/2007RiverRun.html

Any paddleduckers who have paid for a cheap air ticket to Australia to be present won't have wasted their money.  There are still many boats to see, and many on which to ride at ports within a pool.

Wentworth Junction Rally, Sat.7 & Sun.8.7 happens regardless, and will be the event at which Ruby's centenary is celebrated.  See www.junctionrally.org (currently just a flyer, no content) or email rally@junctionrally.org.

I spoke to the secretary tonight (seeking information about the boat ramp for launching Jessie II).  The three groups which provide this event are machinery, paddleboat and vintage vehicle ones.  Undoubtedly the Mildura-based private paddleboats will be there.  Also welcome are trailable paddle vessels, steam launches and putt putts (like a steam launch, with vintage lines, but with an old fixed engine).
RC MODEL BOATS ARE WELCOME.  They haven't had many in the past, largely because advertising goes only to past participants, and not to clubs.  The water is fairly sheltered, and I have suggested that Ruby's restoration dock would be an ideal spot, as it will be unoccupied over the weekend.

I have offered to tow either Michael's Bunyip or Sean's Grebe if either is there unpowered (I doubt that James's Sarah J will be ready in time).

Whether or not you are bring a working or semicomplete model, I am sure that the many Australian Paddleduckers would have an enjoyable time there, even if it is a long drive from Bundaberg, Sydney, Wollongong, Caroline Springs or Hackney (are there any Perth or Tasmanian members?).

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

PS Marion's replacement cruise program has now been announced: two Thurs.-Mon. cruises from Mannum to Swan Reach and return (and so not having to negotiate the shallow sandbank section into lock 1 at Blanchetown).
These are more leisurely than a usual Marion cruise, with more time for shore-based exploration.  They would be ideal for a visitor from UK, USA or Switzerland, as they would be wife-pleasing too.
Thurs.21-Mon.25.6 and Thurs.26-Mon.30.7.
Thurs. afternoon: board at Mannum, overnight at the dock.
Fri.: to Big Bend, nocturnal animal tour.
Sat.: to Swan Reach, tour of an aquaculture & almond farm.
Sun. to Caurnamont, tour of Ngaut Ngaut aboriginal site & conservation park.
Mon.: Back to Mannum by mid afternoon.

see www.psmarion.com
e-mail mannumdockmuseum@baonline.com.au

Overseas visitors could hire a car to inspect private and preserved boats from Goolwa to Albury, and should find commercial paddle operation available at:
* Murray Bridge (PV Captain Proud)
* Mannum: the PS Marion cruise.
* Renmark: PS Industry, one Sunday per month, safely in the pool above lock 5.
* Mildura: PS Melbourne & PV Rothbury, safely in the pools above locks 10 & 11.
* Swan Hill: PV Pyap, may be level affected.
* Echuca: Many vessels, safely in the pool above lock 26.
* There is insufficient water now at Albury for PS Cumberoona to cruise; it may be stranded for months.
Alternatively, Spirit of the Coorong cruises may have a suitable Wellington - Renmark (and even a Renmark - Mildura) cruise available.  I have posted the site url before, or google.

More remote: PV Jandra at Bourke (in the pool of a weir); PV Thomson Belle (Longreach, good water) and PS Decoy (Perth), plus modern paddleboats at Sydney and Brisbane.

The proposed 2008 Oscar W centenary cruise will take place over Aug.-Oct.  Ruby, Canally and Marion will join if water levels allow.  There is a knee-jerk push from the SA government to build a 'temporary' weir at Wellington, without a lock.  This would block Oscar W from entering the main river.  A fall-back position would be to run simply a weekend cruise to Milang over the October long weekend.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[paddlesteamerman1]

I have offered to tow either Michael's Bunyip or Sean's Grebe if either is there unpowered (I doubt that James's Sarah J will be ready in time).
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

Yes, I am fairly sure that PPV Cricket will be unable to float in a few months time too!!!!
Although it does sound like a brilliant little cruise
Hopefully water levels let you all do it!!!

[michael]

The flotilla of paddle vessels will be arriving in Wentwort the week prior to the weekends festivities, at the own will a small flotilla will departing Mildura Friday 6th July arriving at the raised abotsford bridge at 2.30pm and continuing onto Wentworth by that evening, these are PV Impulse, Iraak, Mosquito and Miralie. MB Bunyip will not be attending nor will JesseII. However Echuca based SL Breezy will be there.

[michael]

Here is a paper clippig out of this weeks Weekly Times.

[Roderick Smith]

We have planned, dreamed and posted about this event for 3 years.
Now it is happening.
The enclosed item is from the July paddleboat news from the 2007 River Run site (url posted earlier):
'The great migration of paddle boats from Mildura to Wentworth has started. PB "Temporary" (not her real name but the owner refuses to give her a name) is already at Wentworth; PB Matthew James is almost to Wentworth and will complete the journey on Friday afternoon; SWPB Chalka and PB Kulkyne departed their Karadoc moorings on Sunday and went on through lock 11 with SWPB Risbey on Monday; PB Yarrara and PB William Albert are already at Coomealla and will complete the trip later in the week; Robert Ferguson's new paddle boat is to be launched this week and will make her way there during the week; PB Settler will make her way down to Wentworth on Thursday; PB Shiralee will depart Mildura on Wednesday for a leisurely run down to Wentworth; PB Miralie goes to Mildura on Tuesday then will make her way to Wentworth in convoy with PB Mosquito, PB Impulse and PB Iraak on Friday.
Along with many other vessels of varying shapes and sizes, these paddle boats will be at Wentworth on Saturday, at the Junction Rally site to wish PS Ruby a happy 100th birthday'.

MV Jessie II won't be there: it is slipped in SA for some urgent maintenance, plus some modifications plus some cosmetic work.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

Here are some general photos of paddleboats at the rally.
The ones of Ruby have gone into a Ruby thread.
The ones of the new boats have gone into APAM list of preserved and modern.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[ljhall]

More great pics Roderick,

So many new vessels these days espescially in the Mildura district !
I had never even heard of the P.V. Settler until it had already been launched.
I had heard of the P.V. Iraak, I think this one was built at Nangiloc by a John Mason.

Building new boats is definitely the cheaper option, but I'd hate to see what's left of some of the originals get left behind so to speak !

The ease of using metal fabrication ie. welded steel hulls/superstructure is certainly encouraging the growth of the contemporary fleet right along the river.

I have seen the list (on an earlier thread) and it's certainly a whole lot bigger than it was even 2 years ago.
There's just so many boats these days I simply can't keep up with them !

I added up that between Picnic Point near the Barmah Lakes & Torrumbarry Weir there are approx. 30 Paddleboats plus a few Salvaged Wrecks.
And furthermore, the Sunraysia District seems to be fast catching up, between Wemen and Wentworth there must be a similar number of Paddleboats.
Now all we have to do is build enough slipways to keep up with the demand !

My last trip to Echuca was last October as I mentioned before, and way too short to say the least, I arrived on Friday Oct 6th and left on Monday 9th.
Steam Fest was great and very well organised and I made myself available to answer any questions from other visitors most of which thought that I actually worked at the Port, but that's another story !
I basically spent most of my time in the Port Precinct and took a few short drives out to Deep Creek Marina and Barmah, I also went out to check on the Australien & the Edwards, as I have done before.
The Edwards is really starting to fall apart now isn't she ! - I only saw her starboard side, which is the side that's more intact, but as Michael's photos show, it's the port side that's really falling to bits.

Anyhow, on the Saturday I took a trip downstream on the Pevensey, and got chatting with one of the newer deckhands, - I just can't remember his name though.
I could tell that the gears/cogs on the 'Pev' had been machined/replaced as they are a lot quieter, you can still just detect that familiar old knocking sound but she runs a whole lot smoother than before.
But 1 trip just wasn't enough, so on Monday morning, I went back for more, and took a trip on my personal favourite - the Adelaide, we chuffed upstream to Bowers Bend and back and I talked with Aaron for most of the trip. We had quite a few people on board that day and it was a tight squeeze to walk around the boat, often someone would ask a question and I'd just answer it no problems at all, - just like water off a ducks back !
By the way Roderick, do you have a favourite boat ?
I liked the Adelaide from the moment I saw her, which was back in 1986 just after her restoration & re-commissioning.
She's doing well in her old age, 141 years old and still going strong, it was good to see her brought out of retirement back in the Spring of 2002, in fact during 2003, she was operating most days of the week, as the 'AA' was out of action for boiler repairs, - then again you probably know all of this, sometimes I just tend to babble on a bit !

OK, better finish up here, as it's getting late !

[Roderick Smith]

Here are three more of the rally.

Leith: did you view the special operation of PS Adelaide at the 2006 Echuca Heritage Festival, running to Moama to collect bales of wool which had been brought from Wilcannia by horse dray?  I was aboard, with Paddleduckers Sean, Michael & James.  A report and photos appear somewhere (probably Echuca news).

I don't have a favourite (I always prefer variety to nominating a single favourite in any of my hobbies).  PS Canberra was the first paddlesteamer on which I rode, and took me through my first lock.  PS Melbourne and PS Rothbury I knew before conversion to tourist boats. PS Etona I knew before restoration to original configuration.  PV Coonawarra was the Murray cruise vessel of the 1950s, and had a lot of publicity; I have cruised on it.  PS Ruby featured in my father's memories, and I have watched it through the houseboat, park and restoration eras.  PS Marion was also one from my father's memories, and I have watched it in the preservation and restoration eras, and have cruised overnight.  And one of which I hold special memories is PV Ostrich, in Bangladesh (shown in a different thread).


Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[ljhall]

Thanks Roderick,

No, unfortunately I didn't get to see the Long Paddock Demonstration with the wool bales being loaded onto the Adelaide.
I was staying at Moama Riverside Caravan Park probably not far away, but ended up missing out, - I slept in - (a poor excuse) but there were gail force winds blowing that morning, and apparently loading those 3 wool bales on board was a lot harder than it looked.
I think they weighed something like 200 kg each - does that sound about right.
I have seen the photos from that day on another thread and I also have my own photos, and a copy of the Riv Herald from the following day.

As usual I'm on the lookout for more books, as I said before I have about 14 in my collection, plus a few smaller books on Echuca-Moama & District, plus even more tourist news papers and brochures.
I have some video's also; All The Rivers Run, All The Rivers Run II,
A Grand Old Lady & Riverboats Remembered.
Plus hundereds of photos, actually I still have slides from the 1980's.

Some of the books in my collection are:

Riverboat Days - Peter J. Phillips - 1983
Redgum & Paddlewheels - Peter J. Phillips - 1982
Ships of the Inland Rivers 2nd Edition - Ronald H. Parsons - 1987
Ships of the Inland Rivers 3rd Edition - Ronald H. Parsons - 1996
The Wheels Still Turn - Peter Plowman - 1992/93
The Adelaide Story - Helen Coulson - 1985
A Pictorial Review of Murray River Paddle Ships - Railmac Publications
Murray Darling Paddleboats - Peter Plowman - 2005
Paddle Steamers of the Murray River - Kit Bennett - 2004

Plus a few others that I can't remember the names of, including another by R.H. Parsons, and another by Peter Christopher, and an old one from 1974 on all historic vessels in Australia & NZ - this one was by Graeme Andrews

The Vessels I have taken trips on are:

PS Cumberoona
PS Melbourne
PS Canberra (many times - at least twice when she was diesel)
PV Pride of the Murray
PS Emmylou (many times)
PS Pevensey
PS Adelaide


Yeah, it doesn't sound like much, but I have been on-board the following whilst moored:

PS Alexander Arbuthnot
PS Hero  (not recently)
PS Gem
PV Rothbury (to buy souvineers)
PS Ruby (when she was in Fotherby Park)
PS Oscar 'W'

I've been right up close with many of the others including the
PS Industry, but I don't remember ever taking a look on board.
There are a few originals which I haven't seen yet ! - mainly the SA Boats - PS Marion etc.

I noticed a book called 'A Pictorial Review of Australian Paddleboats/Riverboats' - by Peter Christopher, it's possibly the same one that I already have but with a different cover, if it's different it will be the next one I buy.

Thanks again,

[michael]

Finally got the time to do some proper posting. I had a great time at the Junction Rally, my first time there and will sure like to make the next one. The only bad part was the weather with heavy rain friday and shower and overcast clouds on Saturday and of course the weather became good on the last day.
Spent alot of time checking out all the boats, very friendly owners so alot of talking was done, also of cruising on a few paddle boats and steam launches and put puts.
Sunday afternoon watched Melbourne come thru the Lock11 and also looked at the new boats being built in the nearby shipyard.