Canberra (Australian Steamer) for website

[Roderick Smith]

These arrived from Michael just before lunch, as part of a set showing Fri.2.8's parade.  He appears in two of them; they were taken by Belinda (Shire of Campaspe's publicity officer).
I noticed that James celebrates his birthday today too: what a way to do it, skippering a centenarian [post edit: read lower down; he missed out].

1: Tooraloora, Ranger, Ivy May, Canberra, Struggler, Hero.
2. Canberra, Struggler, Pride of the Murray, with Alexander Arbuthnot obscured.
3. Birthday greetings from the rival operator, carried on existing centenarian Oscar W.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[clarkrulz]

A video of the sailpast http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbFN9Irhwbs

Includes the PS Ranger hitting the PS Adelaide. Any idea on what happened?

[Roderick Smith]

There was considerable confusion re forming the sailpast: the private boats had gone one way; Canberra went the other.  The boats all had to round up.

On Saturday, it wasn't really a sailpast.  Canberra, Alexander Arbuthnot, Stuggler, Pevensey, Tooraloora came upstream, very spaced; Emmylou went the downstream at the same time.  Other boats waited and watched.

The mystery boat yesterday was Alexander Arbuthnot.

Three vintage planes flew over before Saturday castoff.

Roderick

[James.McD]

4:00-5:00pm      Conner Family Cruise (descendants of a famous river captain, skippered by Paddleducker Master 4 James McDougall)

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

I was meant to be there, unfortunately my MED course popped up at the same time and I'm currently in Adelaide learning the ins and outs of the dreaded diesel.

[Roderick Smith]

I continued to SA after the event, so the first batch of photos has had to wait until today.

Here are the various community celebrations on Sat.3.8 morning: vintage vehicles, Echuca Federal Band, flypast by three members of Echuca Aero Club (a Yak-52, a Boeing Stearman 75 and a Pitts), town crier, ribbon cutting by an Echuca octogenarian regarded as a civic treasure.
The band selection included 'Old man river', and 'Happy birthday'.
Invited guests then went aboard for a centenary cruise, with various private boats out and about: those photos will appear in the next batch.

Beyond the Holden ute is a preserved barge in the park.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

Here are half of the cruising photos.  I tried to get Canberra with as much of the local fleet as possible.
These were all taken from PV Struggler.  Michael had the foredeck loaded with vintage cargo, but that photo will come with the next set.

Today: PS Canberra with the invited guests, with PS Britannia, with PS Hero & PV Tooraloora, with PS Adelaide, with PV Barmah and with PS Alexander Arbuthnot, also PV Amelia Jane not in a joint view.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

This selection concludes the coverage of the gathering for PS Canberra's centenary.
I am not sure what the next major events will be.
There was a push to take PS Alexander Arbuthnot to Koondrook (where it was build for Arbuthnot sawmill, which is still thriving today) for its 90th anniversary, but it can't leave Echuca until PS Adelaide has its new firebars.
PS Marion is looking to celebrate a major anniversary of the recommissioning.
Longer term, Adelaide's 150th looms, and AA's centenary.  It was the last of the traditional Murray paddlesteamers to be built.

In this selection: Canberra with Emmylou and with Etona & Henry Charles; Pevensey with Tooraloora; Ivy May, Struggler, Billy Tea; me at Canberra's helm.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

From the website:
<www.emmylou.com.au/canberra>
As part of Celebrating 100 years PS Canberra is taking a trip to Barham/Koondrook
Join us on day 1, Wed.4.9, Echuca - Perricoota Station.
Depart Echuca at 9.15; morning tea and barbecue lunch provided on-board; arrive at Perricoota Station at 15.30; guided tour of the homestead area, followed by Devonshire Tea in the packing shed; return to Echuca by bus at 17.00.
Adults:  $95;   Children:  $60.

45 min cruises at Barham/Koondrook, Sat.7.9
Adults $20; Seniors $15;  Children $10;  Family [ 2 ad + 4 ch ]  $55

Booking: 03 5482 5244
 
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

I have had a reply.
It is policy not to convey passengers outside familiar territory on this voyage.  It is being regarded as a training voyage for future operation of Emmylou to Barham once per year, exploiting the regular provision of environmental flows.

Not yet on the website, the current program has been modified.
Tues.3.9 to Perricoota station one way.
Wed.4.4: local cruise through Torrumbarry Weir and return, then set forth without passengers, to arrive in Barham on Thurs.5.9.
Fri.6-Sun.8.9 local school excursions and public cruises whilst there.
The return journey will be crew only [and seems to be Mon.9-Wed.11.9.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

Here are the revised plans.  I'll be skipping, as the bits which I want to do I can't do; the bits which are available, I have done before.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria

[Roderick Smith]

It's all happening.  PS Canberra passed through Torrumbarry lock 26 at 10.45 on Wed.4.9.
It is now in a reach which isn't traversed often by anything, let alone a paddlesteamer.
In 2012, PS Adelaide went down and back; PV Iron Dry came up and back.  Only a few weeks ago, PV Black Shag came up.
MV Spirit of the Coorong comes through at least once per year.

The enclosed photo was sent by Michael.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Barry]

Some photos from Tuesday on the first stage of the journey. Weather was a lovely 26 degrees C with a gentle breeze. We were well feed and looked after on board and at Perricoota station. A great day out. 

[Roderick Smith]

Barham (NSW): PS Canberra, in safely by 14.30 on Thurs.5.9.13.  (Michael Snell)

That water is well up; the boat would have been flying, with no tricky snags.
I got under the bridge (just) on similar water, but this seems to be higher: perhaps even Jessie II would need a raising if I were out on the water?
On similar levels at Tooleybuc, I couldn't get under the main span: I snuck through the side span (slimmer wooden beams) hard against the bank.
The boat ramp is just behind Canberra, and most/all if it will be underwater.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

I was at a railway event on Sunday.  One of the passengers thanked me for the alert re the Canberra Perricoota jaunt, and had been aboard.  He had also met another passenger who was there because of an alert which I had posted somewhere.

Michael sent a message: at the end of the public cruises, Canberra left Barham on Sunday afternoon, then came through Torrumbarry lock at 9.00 this morning (Tues.11.9).
It must have been flying despite the current which has brought the good depth, but with the comforting knowledge that there would be no tricky snags.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor