APAM- List of Paddlers Part 1 Modern and Restored Vessels

[paddlesteamerman1]

I have seen Tarella a few times now, and had heard of it being restored to working condition.. But it is a pity it got like that in the first place.. I suppose it is a bit like the Federal (though it is a great place to stay. I loved it) that could be returned to working order and run trips from Goolwa, as the Oscar W cant do it anymore, the Aroona has been 'banished' from the community by council, the Mundoo has moved away.. there is a small MV left and the William Randell (private).. It would make a good running there too..
I love hearing that a boat is going to be restored.. I cant wait to see it when it is, but it looks like it will take a while ..

[Roderick Smith]

PS Federal sits on blocks in the water, at the shore's edge, just downriver of Goolwa.  It is run as a rentable holiday home, suitable for fishermen and boaties.  See www.murrayriver.com.au/accommodation/psfederal/default.htm.
AFAIK it is bow into the bank.  Both paddlewheels have been removed.  The port paddlebox has been removed, to give the lounge a broader water view.  The starboard paddlebox has been converted to a toilet.

James was only partly right in lamenting the lack of public cruise vessels at Goolwa.
Spirit of the Coorong Cruises has two boats 'Spirit of the Coorong' based there, plus the one 'Spirit of the Murray'.  The Coorong ones run down through the lock on full- and half-day cruises to the Murray mouth and the Coorong (a long salt lagoon separated from the sea by sand dunes, and a haven for birdlife).  The other runs the popular river safaris.  None may take passengers across Lake Alexandrina.  River-cruise passengers board at Wellington.
See www.coorongcruises.com.au.
Oscar W is being readied for survey.  This may be achieved by the June-July 07 river rally, and will certainly be achieved by 2008, when Oscar W is making its own centenary voyage to Echuca (where it was built).  I have a photo of Oscar W in a different thread, demonstrating the high central mounting point for towlines on Murray-Darling paddlesteamers.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

This one was built to resemble former SWPS Captain Sturt, a Mississippi-style workboat in SA which languished as a houseboat at Goolwa until it was scrapped.  Although I visited Goolwa on many occasions from 1959, I have been unable to find a photo of it in my collection.

I don't know if 'Goolwa' ran regular or charter cruises from Goolwa.  It did cruise as part of the Source to Sea event in 2001, and did some damage to the stern-wheel support when it hit the lifting-span bridge at Renmark.  I photographed it at Mannum.
For most recent years, it was used as a static b&b at Goolwa.  About 3 years ago, it was for sale.  A lot of interior photos appeared on the website of a real-estate agency.  AFAIK it continues to trade as a static b&b.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

This boat is based at Goolwa (SA), and I have photographed it there, and on many other stretches of Murray River.  A stern view is in the Mary Ann thread.
This photo was taken at Mildura during the Randell Cadell 150th anniversary run.
The boat was built privately, around the 1990s.  The owner is a retired teacher of woodwork, and the interior features some beautiful timber craftsmanship.
The boat carries a steam calliope on the aft upper deck, which the owner plays after tying up for the day.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[thewharfonline]

You know the William Randell looks almost identical to the Milang (which was a paddler from the day for those playing at home) However she also bears similarities to Etona which boats such as the Barmah do as well.

I planned on Doing William Randell for the main APAM so you can help me out then later with it Roderick!

I don't have a picture of the Milang which I can post however it appears in the book River Boats by Ian Mudie

W.R has a Ruston Proctor portable engine I believe. The wheel is found on the lower deck in front of the engine. Paddle wheels are green! (Just pulling what I know about the boat from my memory) I believe she is pretty much entirely powered by steam, shower kitchen etc.

She's a pretty trim looking boat and I like her, I think I'd like her more if her wheel were in the top deck housing (I don't like top deck cabins not being used when they look like wheel houses...just something personal)

I do believe Goolwa is offering cruises of some form possibly by her new owners.

Is Tarella still owned by the South Australian Government or is she officially owned by private owners now?

[Roderick Smith]

Sean raised the issue of fake wheelhouses on modern boats.
Traditionally, Murray paddlesteamers reflected centuries of marine design.
The captain (an officer and a gentleman) had a cabin on the upper deck, adjacent to the wheelhouse.  Boats warranting a first mate had a cabin for him at this spot too.
The engineer had a berth in a sponson cabin, adjacent to his baby (the boiler and engine).
Deckhands (the lower classes) had to find space on the decks, or amongst the cargo, or on bunks in the hull forepeak.

In building a modern houseboat to a traditional style, the owner has to face the practical problem of running with a reduced crew, and socialising with the friends who are aboard as guests.
A steamer must have the boiler and engine downstairs.
In a small vessel (eg PS Ranger), having the wheel downstairs allows solo operation, or at least chatting with the engineer.
With a diesel engine, remote control is possible.
There are two design schools:
* Bedrooms on the lower deck; lounge and wheelhouse on the upper deck (eg PV Impulse).
* Bedrooms on the upper deck; lounge and wheelhouse on the lower deck (eg PV Kulkyne).
My design for PV Sunbury, a 13 m vertically-reduced variation on PV Shiralee, put bedrooms on the lower deck (recessed into the hull, as on the forecabins of PS William Randell and PS Etona), and the lounge and wheelhouse on the upper deck.  I had a large engine room, capable of holding steam equipment, although if I ever build it, it will be diesel.  I have placed my two design sketches into General Discussion (Large).

When I inspected PV Matilda (as a potential purchaser), I commented on having the wheel amidships on a single-deck vessel, and not at the front.  I would have liked a good vantage point for seeing snags ahead.  The owner commented that he wanted to be able to socialise with his guests (who would be sitting in the lounge at the front); they shouldn't have to spend a whole cruise looking at his back.
I have found this with Jessie II.  Guests sit in the rear lounge.  Invariably, one will come forward and stand in the wheelhouse (there is no guest seat) to chat with me skippering.

There are a couple of boats with wheels upstairs and downstairs; IIRC the new Temeraire (photo in the Preserved forum) is one.

I was unaware that Tarella was owned by the government at any stage; AFAIK it has moved from one private owner to another.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[paddlesteamerman1]

I have never, in person, seen the Goolwa under power.. never.. And I heard that it looked more like a cheap seventies motel on the inside, rather than a paddle boat..

William Randell does have the Ruston Proctor engine on it.. and powers all the boats hot water and steam and cooking needs..

Roderick, is the PV Sunbury based also on the plans that you sent me about making a paddle boat with an old carriage from a train??? It looked a little similar..

[Roderick Smith]

Adding to yesterday's post, here is another modern cruising paddleboat with a fake wheelhouse.  PV Jumbuck is normally based at Wellington, where Murray River enters Lake Alexandrina.  This day at Psyche Bend marked the end of participation in the Randell Cadell 150th anniversary run for many boats.  At the planning stage, it was the limit of guaranteed navigation.  The fleet would continue to Swan Hill if at all possible.  Many boats (including PS Oscar W) had run out of crew availability by Mildura, and turned for home.  The voyage had started at the end of June, and had run through bleak grey weather through July.  This day at Psyche Bend had magnificent weather, and a great local event.  It is the site of a preserved steam pumphouse, which was on full activation while the fleet was moored for lunch.  There was a large rally of classic cars and trucks too.  Every cloud has a silver lining: the bleak weather had brought rain to north-east Victoria; the river had risen; passage to Swan Hill was guaranteed; subsequently passage to Echuca/Moama was achieved.  In 1853, Randell had left Goolwa (having obtained customs clearance) in March, but had to turn back to Noa No because of low water.  He resumed in August.  Cadell left Port Augusta days behind Randell, but overtook near the Murrumbidgee junction.  The two raced.  Both turned into Wakool River by mistake.  Cadell beat Randell into Swan Hill by a few hours.  However, Randell got further.  Cadell had to turn his larger boat back at Gunbower Creek; Randell got to Maiden's punt (Moama, a few km upstream of Echuca).  Hence the importance of these two destinations for this commemoration fleet.

One reason for putting the lounge downstairs is to utilise the space between the paddles: a large open kitchen/lounge can spread back into this space, still with a view forwards.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[AlistairD]

What boat was this?
 Â 
 Alistair
 

  ----- Original Message -----
   From:    Roderick Smith (research@paddleducks.co.uk)
   To: research@paddleducks.co.uk (research@paddleducks.co.uk)
   Sent: Tuesday, December 05, 2006 11:25    PM
   Subject: RE: APAM- List of Paddlers Part    1 Modern and Restored Vessels
   

   
This boat is based at Goolwa (SA), and I have    photographed it there, and on many other stretches of Murray River. A stern    view is in the Mary Ann thread.
This photo was taken at Mildura during the    Randell Cadell 150th anniversary run.
The boat was built privately, around    the 1990s. The owner is a retired teacher of woodwork, and the interior    features some beautiful timber craftsmanship.

Regards,
Roderick B    Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor



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[Roderick Smith]

Alistair asked which boat was being discussed (the one with beautiful interior woodwork).
It was (and is) PS William Randell.
I have some information buried during house rebuilding; Sean has promised a full writeup when APAM gets that far downriver.
It is private, and isn't licensed to convey commercial passengers.
It was build around the 1990s, but with very traditional lines.
I can't recall how the steam equipment fits in with the kitchen and lounge; I have a dim memory that it sits in the middle of the lounge, rather than in a separate messy and dirty engine room (I have been aboard only once, and wasn't expecting to write a description for paddleboat enthusiasts).

From Parsons: 60 ft x 14 ft x 5.6 ft [18 m x 4.3 m x 1.7 m]
The third figure is hull depth; draft is less.
Built 1995-97.
1 cyl 7 hp Ruston-Hornsby semiportable steam engine, built in 1923.
As in another thread, this hp is an arbitrary rating, but I have still not found the formula which delivers it.  PLAN/33000 delivers an estimate of actual power (indicated hp).

Sean commented that William Randell looks like former PS Milang.  I couldn't see the resemblance.  It is very close in appearance to the original PS William R Randell of 1908.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[thewharfonline]

I think Jumbuck is a good looking boat. Shame about fake wheelhouse. Henry Charles has two working wheels I believe on lower and upper deck. I was dissapointed when I saw the lower wheel and it's what made me dislike the fake wheel house idea.

from the front Jumbuck's sponsons look to large. Like a Sternwheeler almost. But (just adding to my earlier post of this message) the first time I saw her in a book I thought Id love to own this boat. She looks powerful and large...unlike many modern private boats. She has some old fashioned class to her, like the boats of old and I think it's because of her size and colours.

[Roderick Smith]

When Sean compiled his modern summary, somebody counted 121 vessels listed.
PV Captain Proud, at Murray Bridge, cruising to welcome the Source to Sea fleet.  I was aboard PS Industry that day (the Mannum to Murray Bridge sector).

From my article in Sept.06 RNV:
PV Captain Proud: was built as Proud Lady in 1977, and worked as one of the original showboats on Port River (Adelaide, SA).  It was rebuilt after a fire in 1987, and was renamed Captain Proud in 1989.  In 1993 it entered Murray River and travelled to Echuca.  From 1994, it was based at Murray Bridge, running short charter cruises for groups and parties.  It was withdrawn by the start of 2005, and offered for sale.  In Feb.06, Captain Proud was placed back in survey for commercial trading, and was put back into service by Marina Wellington for charters and functions.  It is still undergoing cosmetic change to bring it back to a heritage colour.  Captain Proud will cruise any day with bookings of 15 adults or more, from the main wharf at Murray Bridge.   The dining room can seat up to 70 guests. See www.captainproud.com.au; contact captainproud@internode.on.net.

The second photo shows its latest livery.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

Madam Jade is now moored at Murray Bridge semipermanently.  It was for sale 3 year ago, and I did inspect it.
The boat was built as a retirement hobby, to be a floting bric a brac shop.
It incorates a flat for the owner, and garage space for a car.
The man who built it died; his widow runs it at Murray Bridge, no longer cruising.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

Murray Bridge (South Australia) was once known as Edwards Crossing.  It grew to become an important centre when the first bridge across the SA Murray was constructed there, in 1879.  From the 1880s until the 1920s, the bridge was dual road & rail, carrying the interstate line to Melbourne.  A second, rail-only, bridge was constructed then.
A railway and paddleboat enthusiast has a small shipyard there, with several boats.
He is constructing a replica of PS Cato, helped by a small syndicate, and is restoring PS Colonel.
The photos also show an old work barge, and a Popeye river launch.  These were not paddle, but are very famous.  The launches provided public cruises on Torrens River, in the heart of Adelaide.  A well-placed weir had turned this minor creek into something resembling a capital-city river.  When the 1930s fleet was superseded, all passed into preservation.  One on the Murray has been given completely new superstructure, but the hull reveals the ancestry.  The one at Murray Bridge is in original condition.

The rear-view photo shows the Popeye as well.

A photo of MV Expedition (former fake SWPV Proud Mary, based at Murray Bridge) has appeared elswhere.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[thewharfonline]

I think I will write an article on Cato when we arrive further downstream in the main APAM thread as it is a replica of an original boat.

Notice the funnel position further indicating the location of the engine, similar to that of PS Australien as discussed in another thread.

Sean