hello

[Jim Stein]

Hi
Just found this group.
To give you some background I have been building models for a number of
years.
And since moving here ECHCUA VICTORIA Australia I have become interested in
paddle steamers.
I can here them every day from work and home as they work up and down the
Murray river.
Echuca is reported to have the largest fleet of paddle steamers in the world
and the oldest wooden one afloat.
You can catch their page at http://www.portofechuca.org.au/


Jim Stein

[Derek Warner]

Hi Jim - from Derek Warner in Wollongong NSW - (building a 1/24 scale of PS
Decoy) - I have only been with "paddleducks" for twelve days and am totally
impressed with the forum

The "moderator" is Paul Jordan from Canada who does a superb job

Note for PJ - I could e-mail Jim some of my communications, but it would be
best for you to provide the appropriate details here etc

God damm it Jim - I had searched the web for paddle steamers since October
2000!

Have just looked at your web site and viewed remaining paddlers as per my
copy of "Ships of the Inland Rivers" ISBN 0947284346

We flew to Adelaide on 16/3/01 and viewed "Oscar W" at Goolwa - she is
great - looks like next call is Eucha

regards Derek

[Paulrjordan]

Dear Jim:

It certainly didn't take long for you to find our founding OZZIE
member,...thank you Derek for making Jim feel at home!!

I was positively breathless at the images I found on the Port of
Echuca Website you sent ....THREE PADDLERS ON THE RIVER??? It's
positively PADDLER MECCA!!!

You are indeed lucky to be in a place where obviously a great deal of
care and foresight has taken place in making sure the local
Paddlewheel ship heritage is continued. From reading the captions
beneath the photos, these vessels have exceptional historical
significance locally and are plainly revered as monuments to a bygone
era. Too bad the rest of the world couldn't have had the same
foresight!! But then the Ozzies have a great attitiude towards
preserving the past..just look at some of the beautfiful steam
locomotives they've restored..AND some nice looking harbour tugs too.

Strange that we don't immediately think of OZ when it comes to
paddlers..but I have a feeling that is all going to change. I rather
feel there are a few Paddlers waiting to be discovered in Australia.
Jim and Derek do you have information on others?

How about your museums?? Models? Plans? Pictures? What would you
answer be if someone ever asked you the name of the most famous
Australian Paddle Ship?

Anyway, Jim please "paddle on" through the many interesting files
and images the Paddleducks are putting together from all over the
world...and feel free to add your own at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Paddleducks/files/

(This page should come up with your YahooGroups ID/an orange banded
page along with a yellow control panel at left)

If you have any difficulty using the Yahoo Groups system, don't
hesitate to ask for help!!

Again on behalf of us all at Paddleducks..WELCOME!!

Paul (Jordan)
Paddleducks Moderator.

[Jim Stein]

Hi
As to the number of paddle steamers here at Echuca there are 3 which belong
to the Port of ECHUCA there are a further 9 paddle steamers plus numerous
paddleboats some of which were steamers and have now been converted to
diesel. There are also a number of steamers under construction.
A friend of mine is a skipper and engineer on the Alexander Arbuthnot
<http://www.portofechuca.org.au> .
She also has a page which details all the paddleboats on the Murray..
http://www.murrundi.murray.nu <http://www.murrundi.murray.nu/> follow the
Murray paddleboat links.