Echuca news

[stephenf10]

I've been on the Pevensey when it's done the "stick the end in the bank" turns and thought it was a neat trick. Nudging the bank with the bow is straightforward but I've always wondered about rudder damage when doing it with the stern.

Stephen.

[clarkrulz]

I have seen the marks from the boats doing that in the silt infront of the wetdock recently, Clark

[clarkrulz]

Anyone going down on Queens B-day weekend?

[clarkrulz]

soz anyone know whats gown down on queens b-day weekend

[steamboatmodel]

soz anyone know whats gown down on queens b-day weekend

I am planing on cleaning the BBQ, and checking some of the camping equipment. My son and I had been going to go camping but he now has to work. The Queen's Birthday is this weekend here.
Canada
According to the present (1952) legislation governing Victoria Day, originally the birthday of Queen Victoria (born 24 May, 1819) and now a holiday in her memory, Canada celebrates the day on the Monday on or before 24 May. However, it is not widely known that the official birthday of the reigning Queen, Elizabeth II (born 21 April, 1926), is also, not by legislation but by proclamation (permanent in 1957), celebrated on the same Monday on or before 24 May. The two holidays are in law entirely distinct except for being appointed to be observed on the same day. The Queen's official birthday is marked by the firing of an artillery salute in the national and provincial capitals of Canada and the flying of the Union Flag on buildings of the national government if there is a second pole already available. For Canadians in the warmest regions, Victoria Day is sometimes considered the beginning of summer, when theme parks and outdoor pools are opened, and other summer activities begin.
There is usually some fireworks displays on monday night.
Regards,
Gerald.

[Roderick Smith]

I won't be in Echuca: I will still be in South Africa.
So far the whole holiday has been railway.
I got a glimpse of a paddleboat at Knysna, and three photos.
I will return to Upington to research the sternwheeler photo which I saw 10 years ago.
I will visit V&A in Cape Town, but that is mainly tug, not paddle.

Recall, at the end of June: the big event will be in Wentworth.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[ljhall]

Hi Michael, Roderick & other new members !

Haven't posted anything for ages, but have been relatively and also still limited internet access, I have been doing lots of research lately and hope to get back to Echuca later in the year, I was planning a trip for late April, but I had to put that on hold.

Michael, the Sundowner is really coming along nicely - keep up the good work !
It's also good to see a bit of new interest in the site.

Will do another post soon when I have a bit more time.

Regards,

Leith Hall

[Excelsior]

The Success has arrived in Echuca...  Wouldn't mind seeing some more detailed shots.  If anyone there could help out, I'd be very appreciative.

 Mac

[clarkrulz]

The Success has arrived in Echuca...  Wouldn't mind seeing some more detailed shots.  If anyone there could help out, I'd be very appreciative.

 Mac

Yes, I went up there on the weekend and noticed that. My family and I had dinner with an employe of the port and they told us that the Success was purchased for $10. A mere formality to ensure it was properly handed over. Also PS Adelaide cannot run due to legal red tape put in place by the operators of the Emmylou etc.

Clark

[Roderick Smith]

From Michael via www.nangilocps.vic.edu.au/PaddleBoatNews9Sept09.html
Hero, Pevensey, Adelaide, Canberra and Emmylou have all had boiler inspections recently; all passed.
Pevensey is supposed to be up on the slip having hull inspection and maintenance, but the shire and slip owner aren't getting along too well, so she can't get up, Adelaide was supposed to have gone up earlier this year.
PV Amelia Jane is currrently up on the slip.

I suspect that Adelaide can't convey passengers until it has had its survey slipping.  Some of the SA boats must have been granted extensions when water levels prevented them from reaching a slip, but they are the big metal-hull ones.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Mike Smith]

Mac
 This hyperlink is from the ABC's wesite and provides additional photos plus audio interview with 3 Mildura locals who were initialli involve with bring the Success to Mildura for retoration.

http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2009/08/20/2661667.htm

[Roderick Smith]

That is worth listening to.  I have met three of the four speakers, and was a member of the group during the period when it was becoming increasingly obvious that the project was beyond the resources.
Not mentioned in the interview: it was this group and these people who created the replica PS Mary Ann and lookalike PS Lady Augusta for the 2003 fleet voyage marking the 150th anniversary of the original Randell and Cadell voyages, in 1853.
The first speaker owns PV Matthew James; the second runs PV Impulse and PV Mosquito, and has the hull from PV Wanera.

Also in the region PV/PS Canally, under restoration at Robinvale/Euston.  That hull was a project tacked by shipwright Adam from Echuca, whose name wasn't mentioned in the interview.

There are several postings about all of these boats in Paddleducks already: use the search function to find them.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[michael]

Success in Port log yard

[michael]

Pevensey, finally on the slip.

[michael]

With a week of high river... a rise of about 5-6ft, which is higher than summer levels, actually hasn't been like this since Sept 2003, for the 150th trip.
PS Britannia and Ivy May were out cruising, PB Pride of the Murray is on the slip being caulked.