Paddle Steamer Minimus trip

[Murray Whaler]

My wife and I have just had a trip in Minimus (20 foot long ) over 20 km. up the Darling River from Wentworth  and return and from Wentworth up the Murray to Mildura.    It was very hot (37 degrees "C") with strong winds.  I can fit a double bed camp cot to the back of Minimus with mattress and sleeping bags, very cosy.      We attracted a great deal of attention and featured in the Wentworth and Mildura papers.     We followed the Paddle Steamer Melbourne into the lock at Mildura which was a great moment.   No photos as we were too busy fending off but the tourist on the Melbourne took a lot.     The Melbourne is five times the size of Minimus and I imagine it was the first time two steamers had been in the lock for many years.      Many people ask questions regarding the engine but it is the boiler that makes things go and I've leant to keep a good pressure and fire in rough weather.                     Murray Whaler

[Roderick Smith]

I hope that a photo from a Melbourne passenger (or scanned from Sunraysia Daily) does surface.

The last instance of having two steamers in the lock simultaneously of which I am aware was in Sept.03: the return of the Randell Cadell fleet (PS Mary Ann, PS Lady Augusta and PS William Randell in convoy).  I photographed the upriver locking in August, with two of these (or all three) in one locking.

PS Ruby was propelled up through the lock c2005 for a tourism expo, but at that stage its steam equipment wasn't fitted, and the propelling boat was PV Impulse.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor