Barge "Dart" sunk at Goolwa!

[stephenf10]

We were having a coffee in Hectors on the Goolwa Wharf today when I looked out and realised that, instead of the Dart sitting nicely at the wharf, all I could see was the steering wheel sitting low down and at a strange angle. Went outside for a look and, sure enough, the Dart has sunk! The hull is completely submerged and it looks like it's being supported partly by the mooring ropes.

There was nobody around to ask what happened. It looks like a fairly recent incident as the white vinyl cover is still clean around the water line.

Stephen.

(ps How do I insert an image?)

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's ....& we all hope you enjoyed your  Stephen........

With respect to the barge Dart [72 x 17 x 5]..she is TOO big to get lost so if she is resides below water someone will find her

With respect posting a snap......easy! go to the lower left of screen [Additional Options]...from there you just attach your chosen image ........easy as a Balfour's pie....

  ...PD's...Balfour's are a famous South OZ manufacturer of meat pies [relos to the first fleet ] ....they go down really well with a  or two ....... regards Derek

[stephenf10]

Ok, thanks Derek. I've done it before so I should have remembered.

Stephen.

[Roderick Smith]

While it was disappointing that the barge has sunk, that does reveal more water than I had expected to see at Goolwa.  How did you eliminate the bridge from the view?  I hadn't realised that the wharf continued under the bridge.  The only hint I have is on this existing scan, which shows one end of Dart.  The two deck cabins are disguised as deck cargo, looking like stacked railway sleepers or wharf timbers; they are all which is visible above the water in Stephen F's photo.

My photo was taken on Sun.16.5.04.  This was the weekend of celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Goolwa - Port Elliot railway.  PS Industry had come from Renmark carrying river cargo, and met up with PS Oscar W for the weekend portion.  Beyond the wharf is the anniversary train.  At its rear is a flatwagon carrying a replica original wagon, and the cargo transferred from the paddlesteamers.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[stephenf10]

The original photo has bridge piers to the left and right but I cropped these out before posting. The bridge shadow is visible on the water to the rear of the barge. The northern end of the wharf is just under the bridge. There is a story on the sinking at http://victorharbor.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/old-barge-dart-sinks/782477.aspx

The water level at Goolwa, while still low, seems to have risen by a foot or more in the last few months.

Stephen.

[michael]

I'm hoping on being down that part of the river next Wednesday or Thursday, so will be interesting to see her, apparently PS William Randell is on the slip too.

[michael]

I arrived in Goolwa Thurday 12 evening, and made my way to the wharf Friday 13th. The old ferry was along side the Dart with winches off it and winches off the wharf. They nearly raised her Thurday tho a chain snapped and she went back down. I managed to spend half of friday watching the raising, they had the bow halfway out of the water when I had to leave, so I presume she is afloat now. She will be taken out of the water and sit on land beside the bridge. Photo's of the raising and my SA trip to come soon.

[stephenf10]

The Dart has been raised and is now on dry land. Story at http://victorharbor.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/the-dart-barge-recovered/791036.aspx. I like the bit about the hull being "re-corked"!

Stephen.

[stephenf10]

The Dart is now sitting underneath the Goolwa end of the Hindmarsh Island bridge. This photo was taken yesterday.

Stephen.