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Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - SS Nairana, C.1951
The SS Nairana was launched 1915 by William Denny & Brothers in Dumbarton Scotland the 3,402 ton steamer was requisitioned by the Royal Navy and served during WW1. In 1922 she was transferred to Tasmanian Steamers and, apart from again being requisitioned for war service in WW2, was used as a Bass Strait ferry until 1948. The Nairana was blown ashore onto Port Melbourne beach during a severe gale on 19 February 1951. After salvage what remained of the wreck was blown up in 1954. B & W aerial photograph of SS Nairana and Port Melbourne foreshoress nairana, transport - shipping -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - SS Nairana, C.1951
The SS Nairana was launched 1915 by William Denny & Brothers in Dumbarton Scotland the 3,402 ton steamer was requisitioned by the Royal Navy and served during WW1. In 1922 she was transferred to Tasmanian Steamers and, apart from again being requisitioned for war service in WW2, was used as a Bass Strait ferry until 1948. The Nairana was blown ashore onto Port Melbourne beach during a severe gale on 19 February 1951. After salvage what remained of the wreck was blown up in 1954. B & W aerial photograph of SS Nairana and Port Melbourne foreshore. Ship's outline can be seen on far right side of photograp.ss nairana, transport - shipping -
City of Ballarat Libraries
Postcard - Card Box Photographs, Souvenir from Ballarat, Lake Wendouree circa 1900
Part of the Souvenir from Ballarat Series. Shows boat and steamer sheds. Symbol depicts a miner with a pick and a farmer with a sheaf of corn. Inscription reads City of Ballarat 1870.souvenir of ballarat, lake wendouree, public, city of ballarat -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Document: Cuttings, Warrnambool Steam Packet Company, C 1890
THis collection of cuttings relates to the Warrnambool Steam Packet Company.The Warrnambool Steam Packet Company was established in 1868 when capital was raised with 2000 shares at a value of five pounds each.It was established to provide passenger, accommodation and a large stock and freight service between Warrnambool and Melbourne.. At the time Stephen Henty was operating three steamers along the coast and at the prospect of losing his Warrnambool trade with the establishment of the new Warrnambool company, he sold one of his steamers , the Edina in March 1868. The first five directors elected were F P Stevens, J G Crammond, WW Jamieson, R B Paterson and George Wood. Fares were from one to three pounds and freight was 17 shillings per ton.The steamers connected with coaches from the north of Warrnambool as far as Hamilton. The cuttings record the financial position of the company for the first ten years. This collection of cuttings is valuable as a research item as it documents the development and operation as well as many of the stake holders in one of Warrnambool's earliest shipping companies. The cuttings are from a range of papers including The Warrnambool, Examiner, The Warrnambool Advertiser and the Argus.Ledger book with blue pages which is lacking the cover. It contains a number of cuttings which relate to the Steam Packet Company.Dated on first page: Monday November 1st 1869. Most of the cuttings are dated and some are from the Examiner. the Advertiser and Warrnambool Standard.warrnambool, warrnambool steam packet company, edina -
Port of Echuca
Black and white photograph, 1980? A note has been added by C.J (Claire Jackson) saying that the photo was taken about 1973-74
The photograph shows the state of the Echuca wharf in 1973 or 1974. The P.S Pevensey looks like it has just received a fresh coat of paint. There is also a train parked on the wharf behind the school students. The river also appears to be quite high. This photograph shows the state of the wharf in the early 1970's. It shows the fence between the wharf and Murray Esplande was relatively new. The tourism industry was very new to Echuca in the 1970's but the P.S Pevensey looks ready to take Tourists cruising on the Murray River. It also shows schools were using the port as a valuable resource for teaching History.A black and white photograph of the P.S Pevensey tied up to the Echuca Wharf. There is a group of school children leaning over the wire fence at the edge of the wharf. There is also one teacher supervising the children. The Steam Packet Inn and the Customs House can be seen in the background.Pevensey; Melbourne can be seen clearly written on the paddle steamer. On the back of the photograph is written "This photograph is with the compliments of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Victoria. Please acknowledge photo; Michael Cheshire. There is also a purple Port of Echuca stamp on the back of the photograph.echuca wharf, p. s pevensey, ministry of tourism, cheshire, michael -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Functional object - Ashtray, Mappin & Webb, circa 1953
Several items were given by a seafarer, Mr Nicholas Garlick (1926-2009) into the care of Father Brady who retired from St Pauls Cathedral, Melbourne in 2018. Father Brady later donated the collection of; objects, documents and an extensive collection of cruise ship menus (1937-end of 20thC) to the Mission via the intermediary William Hastie, volunteer at the Mission for Seafarers.One of the reasons the gift has been accepted is because there are a number of items that relate to images or records of visits in the collection. Crews of ships such as the Orontes and the Orsova were regular donors to the Mission in the 20th century.A square silver ashtray with an undulating edge and indentations for four cigarettes.Upper side: 'Commonwealth Line of Steamers' encircling an Australian flag is stamped in the middle of the ashtray. On the underside: 'Triple dipped'/ over a 3-legged symbol/ 'Mappin & Webb's/ Princes Plate/ London & Sheffield'/ the letter S in a shield/ the number W18372.ashtray, silverware, mappin & webb, commonwealth government line of steamers, nicholas garlick (1926-2009), seamen, seafarers, sailors, smoking -
Orbost & District Historical Society
book, Thematic Environmental History, 2001
This booklet was prepared for the East Gippsland Shire Council in August 2001.A Thematic Environmental History identifies how key patterns of development have influenced the culture of the area and the natural and built environment. The document is not a social history but usually provides the context for future heritage studies and assessments and would provide input to the preparation of a Heritage Action Plan. This booklet prepared for the East Gippsland Shire councilA spiral bound book of 75 pp, titled Thematic Environmental History, prepared by Meredith Fletcher and Linda Kennett for the Centre for Gippsland Studies, Monash University, Gippsland Campus. On the front cover is a black and white drawing of a paddle steamer towing a barge along a river. It contains information on the discovery, settlement and land usage of East Gippsland as well as the development of transport, communication and cultural institutions. Copywright held by East Gippsland Shire Council and Department of Infrastructureenvironmental-study-east-gippsland -
Federation University Historical Collection
Images, Cartoons by Henry Moritz
Henry Moritz was a staff member at Ballarat College of Advanced Education and created 'one off' cards for special staff events. The greatly prized cards are held by staff members. These are copies of some of those cards. Colour photocopies of cartoons by Henry Moritz relating to staff members at the Ballarat College of Advanced Education (later Federation University Australia). .1) Retirement of Stan Sweatman .2) Retirement of Henry Moritz .3) Stanley Steamer .5) Frank (Media Services) .6) Stan Sweatman;s 65th birthday .5) (Media Services) .7) Dinosaurs Disappeared (Stan Sweatman retirement) henry moritz, stan sweatman, ballarat college of advanced education, cartoons, anniversary, celebrations -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Photograph, Segerberg and Bulmer, 1910 c
Also enlargement 17 x 23 cmBlack and white photograph showing view from Jemmys Point of the entrance to the Gippsland Lakes from Bass Strait. Pioneer dredge in centre foreground, and steamer JCD. Cottages and works buildings including Rocket shed on eastern dunes, Schnapper Cottage on far right western dune. Rock groynes and tip of Bullock Island centre left. Vegetation in foreground. Lakes Entrance VictoriaLAKES ENTRANCE Segerberg and Bulmerships and shipping, topography, jetties, houses -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Photograph, Cooper, Alexander, 1909c
Also black and white copy with ornamental edge 17 x 26.5 cm, and another copy 19.5 x 30 cmBlack and white photograph showing excursion boats at New Works jetties, people on jetties. S S Gippsland tied to jetty on left and another small steamer. P S Tanjil tied to jetty on right. Roofs of works buildings and twin gable roof of J Carpenter's house on right. Several small row boats and small sail boat. Lakes Entrance VictoriaNew Works from Hummocks Cunninghamships and shipping, jetties -
Port of Echuca
Black and white photograph, 21/09/1984
This photograph shows the extent of the Euston lock in the early 20th Century. There is a paddle steamer in the background which appears to be going around the lock. This photograph might have been taken during construction of the lock?This photograph possibly shows the Euston lock being constructed. There is a paddle steamer in the background passing around the lock.A black and white photograph of Euston lock.Written on the back in lead pencil "Price. Euston Lock."murray river, euston (lock construction), price family collection, paddle steamer traffic -
Paynesville Maritime Museum
Bollard
This bollard is from the steamer "JCD" and served both to tie mooring lines and to feed them through. It was recovered from the MacMillan Strait some years after the "JCD" was removed from the water and burned.Cast iron bollard -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Document - Ticket, Steamship
Ticket was used in 1931 and kept in storage by a member of the Edina's crew. The SS Edina was the most famous steamer in Australia and underwent a number of changes and refits during its lifetime. It had an unchallenged record of strandings and collisions with other vessels and of escaping serious damage itself. The vessels City of Melbourne, Courier, Manawatu, Excelsior (twice), Hovell, Batman, all suffered. When Edina was retired in 1938 it was the world's oldest working steamer and had travelled more than 1 million km. She was finally broken up by George Seelf on the banks of the Maribyrnong in 1957.The SS Edina was an iconic and affectionately regarded part of Port Phillips maritime history and culture. It is historically significant for being internationally famous as the worlds oldest working screw steamship between 1912 and 1938. Its career was varied and interesting and it is considered significant for its involvement in the Crimean War, US Civil War, NZ gold rushes, and locally for its career as a western district steamship and Bay steamer. The site is archaeologically significant as the only remnant of the hull of the vessel and as part of the Maribyrnong riverine landscape situated amongst the remnants of shipbuilding slipways, Footscray wharves, S781 UnidentifiedClipped and used steamship tickets [the children's tickets are an adult ticket cut in half diagonally] - Melbourne to PortarlingtonAustralian Steamships Pty Ltd, Howard Smith Ltd, managing agentsticket, steam screw vessels, ss edina, port phillip, bay steamers -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Painting - Framed Watercolour, Fishermen's Pier Queenscliff
Queenscliff’s first pier, then known as the Fishermen’s Pier, was completed in 1857. It was not until some thirty years later that the second Steamer Pier was constructed adjacent to the former and periodically extended from the mid to late 1880s to cope with the demand in pleasure bay steamer services. The last of these extensions was to provide a dog-leg construction and the extant shelter shed. 1960 witnessed the demolition of the original Fishermen’s Pier - by this time having been extended in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to the equivalent length of the Steamer Pier - and saw the relocation of its 1926-29 lifeboat house to the Steamer Pier, now Queenscliff Pier. The mid to late 2000s saw Queenscliff Harbour undergo large-scale redevelopment in order to deepen its waters for pleasure craft and increase its berths to over 300. This was met with strong community opposition, largely with concerns for neighbourhood character and perceived cause for gentrification its stakeholders would impart. With early construction estimates of $20 million dollars, this figure had almost doubled upon realisation. (Lovell Chen Architects. ‘Individual Property Citation’, Queenscliffe Heritage Study, 2009.) (Freya Mitchell, ‘Queenscliff residents fight a tide of development sweeping the historic town’ ABC radio, 15 April 2005).Fishermen's Pier Watercolour painting of Fishermen's Pier in Queenscliffwatercolour, fishermen's pier, queenscliff -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Photograph, 1880c
Taking the Bar, 1876 woodcut of original entrance, with paddle steamer 'Lady of the Lake' and pilot boat grinding through rough conditions, can see Roadknight's Jetty, they lived at Merrangbaur, is aboriginal for home of lyrebirds.Colour photograph of a painting of a ship being towed over the natural entrance to the Gippsland Lakes. Red Bluff in background, Roadknight Jetty glimpsed through the natural vegetation. Lakes Entrance VictoriaTaking the Bar from Roadknights Jettyjetties, public works -
Orbost & District Historical Society
book, Beginnngs, 2011
"A map on the wall of his parent's shop in country Victoria is what got Frank Hutchinson interested in the geography and early settlement of Victoria. He later moved to Ballarat where he spent most of his working life. Whilst there his interest in the early explorers continued until about ten years ago he began to compile the listing which developed into the present publication." (ref.Port Phillip Pioneers Group) When he commenced the research and writing of Beginnings, it was not intended for publication. It was a project of personal interest. A soft covered 122 pp book title Beginnings a brief account of the first Europeans to explore or settle in Victoria. On the glossy front cover is a rough map of Port Phillip Bay. Print is black. a chronological list of the earliest visits to Victoria and attempts to settle. The book contains: brief notes on the exploration and earliest settlement of the state, region by region and a summary of the early Murray River paddle steamer industry.hutchinson-frank history-victoria prahran-mechanics-institute -
Port of Echuca
Document - Television script, Crawford Productions, All the Rivers Run Episode 3, 1982
This original script was from a television mini series titled 'All The Rivers Run' that was filmed in Echuca in 1982. The production took over the township for many months and was often filmed on board the Port of Echuca's paddle steamers.This original script from the mini series 'All the Rivers Run' is of social significance as it was filmed on location at the Port of Echuca and surrounding Echuca township. There are very few remaining scripts in existence. 70 page printed script of Episode 3 All the Rivers Run mini series 'All the Rivers Run' Episode 3 Written by Colin Free, Edited by Betty Archer, Directed by Pino Amenta. Copyright 1982 Crawford Productions Pty Ltd script, paper, miniseries, echuca, river, crawford productions, port of echuca -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Photograph, Paddle Steamer "Arbuthnot", 1986
Paddle Steamer "Arbuthnot", purchased by the Shire of Rodney to be restored using unemployment relief funding. Located on Goulburn River, upstream of Shepparton. Photo taken 1986 during river flooding. Now restored at Echuca.|Rodney Shire -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Leisure object - Model- PS Hygeia
Hygeia Built in 1890 by Napier, Shanks & Bell of Yoker, Scotland (yard no 49). At 300 ft (92 m) long, she was an enormous paddler, outclassing the luxurious Ozone and surviving in service until 1930. In 1932 her stripped shell was scuttled off Barwon Head. The PS ‘Hygeia’ was a paddle steamer, built by Napier, Shanks & Bell, in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1890. When the paddle steamer PS ‘Hygeia’ was built, in 1890, she was considered the largest and fastest bay steamer afloat. She was capable of carrying up to 2,000 passengers and crew and was finished to the highest of standards. The state rooms were lavishly adorned in polished Oak, Hungarian Ash, Walnut and Sycamore – decorated with gilded pilasters. She would carry some 3,000,000 passengers around Port Phillip Bay in Victoria, during her career of 41 years. The PS ‘Hygeia’ was considered far too young to be scuttled and sent to an early grave – just outside Port Phillip Heads . . .Scale model of PS Hygeia -
Orbost & District Historical Society
book, Exploring the Gippsland Lakes 1882, January 2010
The original book was published in Melbourne by M.L. Hutchinson, 1881. This edition was specially compiled for the Lakes Navigation Company by J. Blackwood Howie.A small book - Exploring the Gippsland Lakes 1882. this is a republication of a C 1882 book titled Tourists and Sportsman's Guide to the Gippsland Lakes and Surrounding Country. This pocket reading republishes a story from 1882 that was aimed at promoting tourism to the Gippsland Lakes. It starts with a train trip from Melbourne to Sale and then boards a steamer to experience the Gippsland Lakes. The book was published by Paynesville Maritime Museum in January 2010. It was compiled by J. Howie Blackwood.gippsland-lakes travel tourism-east-gippsland -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - 2 STEREOSCOPE PHOTO CARDS
2 x Stereoscope faded photos (circ. 1880's ?) on cream slightly damaged cards - Number 2532 , Grand Saloon , Steamer City of Natchez, Mississippi River showing tables , chairs and chandelier / Number 135. Dumbarton Castle - Scotland ,Photographed and published by Kilburn Brothers , Littleton N.H. / accompanying scrap paper states -'Antique photos -Stereoscope cards , Mr W. Ennis , 87 Harley St , Bendigo ,Kilburn Brothersphotograph, building, stereoscope photo cards /grand saloon , steamer city of natchez, mississippi river / dumbarton castle - scotland / kilburn brothers , littleton n.h /mr w. ennis , 87 harley st , bendigo -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Document - Letter/s, State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV), Geelong tramlines - 1943, 1943
Letter giving information to a tramway historian about Geelong opening dates and how the wharf was arranged.Letter to W.Jack from SEC - electricity Supply Department (Melb) dated 26/8/1943, re opening of Geelong tram lines, dates, extensions, duplication, typed on both sides of foolscap sheet. Refers to an enclosed answering specific questions, not attached. Also gives information on how the trams were arranged for Geelong wharf service and the steamers ex Melbourne that were involved. Paper watermark - "SATISFAGA Bond"trams, tramways, geelong trams, opening, duplications, geelong wharf -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Audio - Oral History, Hugh Kilpatrick, Joy Kilpatrick Phillips, 2003 - 2005
Given to the Society by Joy PHILLIPS nee KILPATRICK, the niece who conducted the interviews(.01) oral history interview 2003 from Hugh KILPATRICK who lived in Port Melbourne from 1920 to 1990s, son of Cowen KILPATRICK and Alice KILPATRICK nee DAVIS. Hugh was interviewed by his niece Joy on his 85th and 87th birthdays . (.02) 23 May 2005 Hugh speaks about early Port Melbourne. He worked at Swallow and Ariells and also talking about the paddle steamers.transport - shipping, industry - manufacturing, domestic life, paddlesteamers, hugh kilpatrick, swallow & ariell ltd -
Orbost & District Historical Society
box, Richardson, Albert, 1882
The box was made by Albert Richardson from the first Blackwood Tree felled, dried and treated on the Brodribb River by him at the Tabbara Mill in 1882. Albert was the son of Samuel Richardson early Orbost pioneer and builder of The Paddle Steamer Curlip.Small, rectangular hand- carved wooden box made of blackwood. On the top it has a diamond design. It has metal hingesbox handcraft richardson-albert carving -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Postcard, The Tyser Liner Indrabarah stranded 10 May 1913 (New Zealand)
The steamer Indrabarah was stranded for 45+ days on the west coast of the north island of New Zealand, before being successfully towed free during a high spring tide. The cargo (mostly frozen meat) was reported to have survived the ordeal. This card (postcard) with print of Liner Indrabarah -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Photograph, Bulmer H D, 1925 c
Also two Sepia photographs 10 x 15 cm, with inscription 'The famous steamer Gippsland completed in 1908 for the Dahlsen family. She ran on the lakes until 1937 when withdrawn form service and sold to Sydney buyers.'Black and white photograph showing S S Gippsland on the Gippsland Lakes, large crowd of people on board, shed on Kalimna Jetty extreme left. Lakes Entrance VictoriaS S Gippsland Bairnsdale H D Bulmer Photoships and shipping, retail trade, transport, township -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Journal (item) - Periodicals-Annual, Shiplovers' Society of Victoria, The Annual Dog Watch
This journal provides the reader with glimpses of the adventures and hardships of a seaman's life. Many of the stories are of sailing ships.Contributes to our knowledge of the importance of shipping and places on record those stories of the sea which would otherwise be lost.The foreword is written by the Hon. Sir Arthur Warner then Minister for Transportsailing ships, steamships, shipping, seafaring life, shiplovers' society of victoria, dog watch -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book - Reference guide, Charters for Travellers Orient Line Guide
Book, titled “Orient Line Guide, Charters for Travellers by Sea and by Land”. Illustrated Guide of the Orient Line of Steamers between England and Australia. Issued on behalf of the Orient Steam Navigation Company Limited and the Pacific Steam Navigation Company, by the managers of the line, F. Green & Co. – Anderson, Anderson & Co. London, Contract with the Government of New South Wales. Brown leather and cloth cover with gold lettering and fine gold floral decoration. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, charters for travellers orient line guide, book, steam ship travel, passage from england to australia, orient steam navigation company limited, pacific steam navigation company, f. green & co. – anderson, anderson & co, e.c. maclure m macdonald -
Port Fairy Historical Society Museum and Archives
Photograph
The steamer S.S.CASINO was much loved by the whole Port Fairy community- with the possible exception of some of the fishermen whose boats she ran down! Transport of the large quantities of wool, potatoes, onions, grain, sheep, cattle and other produce grown on the rich lands of the Western District Belfast was served by a plethora of shipping, both sail and steam, but only one of the steamers then in the regular trade (S.S. DAWN) would ever be able to get up the river and reap the cost savings of loading against a wharf. It was not unusual for four steamers to be anchored in the bay at once and for seven or eight different steamers to call during a week. A number of inter-colonial steamers also called to pick up produce for delivery to Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. Production in the Western District was increasing and virtually all of that production had to go through one of the western ports in order to reach markets. By 1882 a meeting 15ft. March, 1882, in the office of auctioneer, J.B. HoIden in Cox Street took action and it was unanimously resolved - that the Belfast & Koroit Steamship Company be formed with a capital of £20,000 in 10,000 shares of £2 each". A number of steamers were offered by letter to the fledgling company, including the new and almost sister ships, CASINO and HELEN NICHOLL. The CASINO was on her delivery voyage from England was due to arrive in Warrnambool to load potatoes for Sydney and, initially, arrangements were made for her to call into Port Fairy for inspection by the BKNS Co directors. She eventually proceeded direct to Warrnambool and the Directors inspected her there. Without hesitation they purchased her even though they had to raise a large bank loan to do so. The CASINO arrived in Port Fairy on Saturday, 29th. July, 1882, steaming triumphantly up the Moyne River, and was greeted by crowds, many of whom had driven in from the surrounding countryside, which gave her “loud ringing English cheers". By 1884 the CASINO could not carry all the cargoes available to her and in December of that year the company purchased the new steamer BELLINGER to provide additional capacity. She helped to open up the intermediate ports of Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell, but the BELLINGER was not really suitable for the trade and she was sold in 1887, leaving the CASINO to operate alone -as she was to do for almost all of the next 45 years. The opening of the railway in 1890 decreased the cargo available to the steamers and the economic depression of the early 1890's worsened the situation. The weak soon began to fall by the wayside and when the Portland & Belfast SN Co. decided to go into liquidation in April 1895, the Belfast & Koroit Company bought the Portland Company's steamer DAWN on advantageous terms, a substantial part of the payment being in BKSN Co shares. The BKNS Co and the Howard Smith Line came into direct head to head competition and nearly forced the BKNS Co out of existence. Cargo dropped to such an extent that in 1899, they reached agreement that only one ship would run and that the ship which ran would pay a weekly amount to the competitor to stay out of the trade. This controlled service ceased in1909, and competition intensified when Howard Smith placed the newly built, larger steamer EUMERALLA on the run. The BKNS Co survived this competition and even prospered during it partly by extending on a more regular basis, the CASINO'S voyages to South Australian ports Port Macdonnell, Kingston, Beachport, Robe and, on occasions Adelaide. There were setbacks when, on 20 October 1924, CASINO went ashore at the Kennett River, near Apollo Bay, and again, in February l929, when she struck a submerged object at Warrnambool and had to be beached. The railways placed great competitive pressure on the small steamship company and this pressure was intensified when the Great Depression slashed the market for Western District produce, BKNS Co struggled on, paying dividends in most years, and the company planned a big celebration for the CASINO'S fiftieth anniversary in the trade on 29th July, 1932. Disaster struck soon after 9 o'clock on the morning of Sunday I0 July, 1932 when the CASINO was lost at Apollo Bay together with the lives of 10 crew members. Black and white photograph of s.s.Casino steaming down to berth at her wharf on the left fishing boats in foregroundship, boat, industry, belfast and koroit steam navigation company, moyne river, river, s.s.casino, wharf -
Port Fairy Historical Society Museum and Archives
Photograph - Panoramic Photograph, A.C. Aberline, Moyne River East Beach Port Fairy. SS Casino
The steamer S.S.CASINO was much loved by the whole Port Fairy community- with the possible exception of some of the fishermen whose boats she ran down! Transport of the large quantities of wool, potatoes, onions, grain, sheep, cattle and other produce grown on the rich lands of the Western District Belfast was served by a plethora of shipping, both sail and steam, but only one of the steamers then in the regular trade (S.S. DAWN) would ever be able to get up the river and reap the cost savings of loading against a wharf. It was not unusual for four steamers to be anchored in the bay at once and for seven or eight different steamers to call during a week. A number of inter-colonial steamers also called to pick up produce for delivery to Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. Production in the Western District was increasing and virtually all of that production had to go through one of the western ports in order to reach markets. By 1882 a meeting 15ft. March, 1882, in the office of auctioneer, J.B. HoIden in Cox Street took action and it was unanimously resolved - that the Belfast & Koroit Steamship Company be formed with a capital of £20,000 in 10,000 shares of £2 each". A number of steamers were offered by letter to the fledgling company, including the new and almost sister ships, CASINO and HELEN NICHOLL. The CASINO was on her delivery voyage from England was due to arrive in Warrnambool to load potatoes for Sydney and, initially, arrangements were made for her to call into Port Fairy for inspection by the BKNS Co directors. She eventually proceeded direct to Warrnambool and the Directors inspected her there. Without hesitation they purchased her even though they had to raise a large bank loan to do so. The CASINO arrived in Port Fairy on Saturday, 29th. July, 1882, steaming triumphantly up the Moyne River, and was greeted by crowds, many of whom had driven in from the surrounding countryside, which gave her “loud ringing English cheers". By 1884 the CASINO could not carry all the cargoes available to her and in December of that year the company purchased the new steamer BELLINGER to provide additional capacity. She helped to open up the intermediate ports of Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell, but the BELLINGER was not really suitable for the trade and she was sold in 1887, leaving the CASINO to operate alone -as she was to do for almost all of the next 45 years. The opening of the railway in 1890 decreased the cargo available to the steamers and the economic depression of the early 1890's worsened the situation. The weak soon began to fall by the wayside and when the Portland & Belfast SN Co. decided to go into liquidation in April 1895, the Belfast & Koroit Company bought the Portland Company's steamer DAWN on advantageous terms, a substantial part of the payment being in BKSN Co shares. The BKNS Co and the Howard Smith Line came into direct head to head competition and nearly forced the BKNS Co out of existence. Cargo dropped to such an extent that in 1899, they reached agreement that only one ship would run and that the ship which ran would pay a weekly amount to the competitor to stay out of the trade. This controlled service ceased in1909, and competition intensified when Howard Smith placed the newly built, larger steamer EUMERALLA on the run. The BKNS Co survived this competition and even prospered during it partly by extending on a more regular basis, the CASINO'S voyages to South Australian ports Port Macdonnell, Kingston, Beachport, Robe and, on occasions Adelaide. There were setbacks when, on 20 October 1924, CASINO went ashore at the Kennett River, near Apollo Bay, and again, in February l929, when she struck a submerged object at Warrnambool and had to be beached. The railways placed great competitive pressure on the small steamship company and this pressure was intensified when the Great Depression slashed the market for Western District produce, BKNS Co struggled on, paying dividends in most years, and the company planned a big celebration for the CASINO'S fiftieth anniversary in the trade on 29th July, 1932. Disaster struck soon after 9 o'clock on the morning of Sunday I0 July, 1932 when the CASINO was lost at Apollo Bay together with the lives of 10 crew members. black and white panaramic photograph mounted on cardboardMoyne River & East Beach Port Fairy- s.s.Casino-A.C.Aberline-Canterburyship, boat, sea, river, training walls, wharf, moyne river, s.s.casino, steamer