Build Date: 1916 (Barge) 1923 (Steamer)
Built by: Charles Felshaw
Build location: Koondrook
Construction: Wood
Engine: Ruston and Hornsby Steam Engine
Power: 10hp
Fuel: Red Gum Logs
Speed: 10kmh (6mph)
Tonnage: 46
Length: 22.8m (76')
Beam: 4.57m (15' 3")
Draft: .67m (2' 3")
Built by: Charles Felshaw
Build location: Koondrook
Construction: Wood
Engine: Ruston and Hornsby Steam Engine
Power: 10hp
Fuel: Red Gum Logs
Speed: 10kmh (6mph)
Tonnage: 46
Length: 22.8m (76')
Beam: 4.57m (15' 3")
Draft: .67m (2' 3")
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The Story of P.S Alexander Arbuthnot
1916 saw her start life as a barge. 1923 she was converted to a paddle steamer in Echuca. Once a paddle steamer, she replaced the PS Glimpse and towed logging barges generally red gum logs for processing at the Arbuthnot Sawmills for which she is named after. Alexander Arbuthnot was the owner of the time, taking it over from his father, also Alexander Arbuthnot. 1927, Thursday 15 December, First mate, Edward Henry Gobbett is committed for trial at Albury on March 18 1928 for "maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on Sydney James Smith"1 the steamers cook. 1940s she continued this role until being replaced by P.S Hero, she was then taken over by coal producers from Barmah (Mr Newman) who used her for carting bagged coal to Echuca to aid in the war effort. With the end of the war, she was no longer required and ceased work, eventually sinking. 1942, Tuesday 28 July, she brings in a load of charcoal from Picola destined for Melbourne by the railways. Mr Newman also has plans to turn her into a pleasure craft, giving pleasure trips to the public. - I guess in a way this did occur, though it took a little longer than he would've hoped. The captain of the boat at the time also believed that the railways was becoming restricted and that boats should start carting wool again. 1942, Monday 7 September, 946 Bags of charcoal arrives, again destined for Melbourne though it came from Yallama this time. Trips are becoming weekly as there are 20,000 bags which need to be transported. 1972 volunteers from Shepparton saved her for use at the International Village Theme Park. 1989 she was purchased by the Echuca City Council. She was restored by the Port of Echuca. 1994 she was recommissioned adding to the Adelaide and Pevensey fleet run by the Port of Echuca. She is the last working boat to be built and today provides tourist services out of Echuca. |
Captains
Further Information and References
http://www.echucapaddlesteamers.net.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=61 http://www.echucamoama.com/echuca-moama-paddlesteamers http://trove.nla.gov.au/result?q=alexander+arbuthnot http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116307695 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116308788 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115178194 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3899014 |
