Historical information

This photographic postcard of the SS Edina was taken after the 1890’s due to the style and configuration of the vessel.
There is a black and white photograph of the same image also in our Collection (RN 3192). It is most likely that both of the photographs were donated by the same person because the people mentioned in the inscription on the black and white photograph’s reverse side connect with two of the people mentioned in the letter on the reverse of the coloured photograph.
* RN 3192; Black & White photograph - inscription:
"Donated by Mrs. Nancy Mason, Bay View. Owned by Mac Fordham, Chief Engineer, 'Edina', then given to Mrs. Mason's father-in-law Arnold Mason (both Engineers W.W. I)"

The “Arnie” to whom the letter was addressed is likely to be Arnold Mason, Engineer. The author of the letter, “Mac”, is likely to be Mac Fordham, Chief Engineer of SS Edina. The transcribed letter tells of two men who know each other well and have an interest in the Edina. “Mac” mentions that he may be “too old” to be at sea again; this would also support the idea that the older writer would give his photographs to the perhaps younger “Arnie”.

* RN 3193 (this photograph) - Transcription of pen and ink script handwriting
= = = = = = = = = = = =
19-12-37
No. 1 Flat, “Goodwood Lodge”
196 Lennox Street,
Richmond [Victoria]

Dear Arnie ,
Been meaning to write
for long time but you know, it’s just the usual
routine of the seamen within Bay trades.
Had a good trip back from Sydney. Took our time, spent almost
a week coming back, rather monotonous in parts in the hill
country, too many darn curves, still was a good trip.
How are you all keeping? Suppose you’ve moved back to
Drummoyne [erettris?], expect you can let the house in
Manly easily enough. Noticed they had a strike at Cockatoo [Cockatoo Island NSW].
don’t suppose they pulled the boys out. How is Jack doing?
Has [Willie?] commenced training yet, or no! too young, isn’t she?
Been a lot of “paper” talk about the “Edina” finishing but
nothing official that I’m aware of, but it’s always on the
cards I suppose, then I suppose it will be to sea again if
I’m not too old.
Easy Winter only 3 trips per week, running every day from
today until further notice.
Trust [Mary?] Is well & all’s well with you too.
Best wishes from us both for Xmas & New Year.
Cheerio
Mac
= = = = = = = = = = = =

ABOUT THE S S EDINA

The three masted iron screw steamer SS Edina was built in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1854 by Barclay and Curle. She was adorned with the figurehead of ‘fair maid of Judea’. The many years of service made SS Edina famous world-wide as the longest serving screw steamer. (The term screw steamer comes from being driven by a single propeller, sometimes called a screw, driven by a steam engine.)

SS Edina’s interesting history includes English Chanel runs, serving in the Crimean Ware carrying ammunition, horses and stores to the Black Sea, and further service in the American Civil War and later, serving in the western district of Victoria as well as in Queensland and carried gold, currency and gold prospectors Australia to New Zealand. SS Edina had the privilege of being an escort vessel to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh during his visit to Australia in 1867.

In March 1863 SS Edina arrived in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne and was bought by Stephen Henty, of Portland fame, to work the cargo and passenger run from Melbourne – Warrnambool – Port Fairy - Portland. After a short time of working the run from Australia to New Zealand, with passengers and cargo that included gold and currency, she returned to her Melbourne - Warrnambool – Port Fairy run, with cargo including bales of wool produced in the western district of Victoria.

The Warrnambool Steam Packet Company purchased SS Edina in 1867; she was now commanded by Captain John Thompson and Chief Engineer John Davies. She survived several mishaps at sea, had a complete service and overhaul and several changes of commanders.

In 1870 SS Edina was in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, when a gale sprung up and caused a collision with the iron screw steamer SS Dandenong. SS Edina’s figurehead was broken into pieces and it was not ever replaced.

SS Edina was re-fitted in 1870 then was used as a coastal trader in Queensland for a period. She was then brought to Melbourne to carry cargo and passengers between Melbourne and Geelong and performed this service 1880-1938. During this time (1917) she was again refitted with a new mast, funnel, bridge and promenade deck, altering her appearance.

In 1938, after more collisions, SS Edina was taken out of service. However she was later renamed Dinah and used as a ‘lighter’ (a vessel without engine or superstructure) to be towed and carry wool and general cargo between Melbourne and Geelong.

In 1957, after 104 years, the SS Edina was broken up at Footscray, Melbourne. Remains of SS Edina’s hull can be found in the Maribyrnong River, Port Phillip Bay.

[Reference:
A Brief Review of Steam Navigation in Victoria; C Dickson Gregory; Centenary Maritime Exhibition catalogue, 1934; published by Shiplovers' Society of Victoria
Dandenong, Passengers in History, http://passengersinhistory.sa.gov.au/node/924034
Edina, Victorian Heritage Database VHR S199 http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/shipwrecks/heritage/199
SS Edina, Coastal Trader and Passenger Ship 1853-1938, Museum Victoria Collections, https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/articles/6227
SS ‘Edina’ – the Longest Serving Screw Steamer in the World, POI Australia, https://poi-australia.com.au/ss-edina-the-longest-serving-steamer-in-the-world/ ]

Significance

This photographic postcard with the letter on the revers tell about the SS Edina and are significant for its association with the screw steamer SS Edina.

The SS Edina is heritage listed on the Victorian Heritage Database VHR S199. She had endeared herself to the people of Port Phillip Bay as a passenger ferry, part of their history and culture. She played a significant role in the Crimean War, the American Civil War and the gold rush in New Zealand. She also served western Victoria for many years in her cargo and passenger runs.

The SS Edina is famous for being the longest serving screw steamer in the world. After spending her first nine years overseas she arrived in Melbourne and her work included running the essential service of transporting cargo and passengers between Melbourne and the western Victoria ports of Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland.

The SS Edina was purchased in the late 1860’s by local Warrnambool business, the Warrnambool Steam Packet Co. and continued trading from there as part of the local business community.

The SS Edina’s original ‘fair maid of Judea’ figurehead was broken to pieces in a collision with another vessel (the SS Dandenong) in a gale off Warrnambool, Victoria, in 1870.

Physical description

Coloured (hand coloured) photographic postcard of SS Edina. Letter on reverse, hand written in pen and ink, from Mac to Arnie, dated 19-12-37 [1937]. The photograph shows the SS Edina moving under steam power, many people on both the bow and stern and a few people in the centre of the vessel. There are buildings on the shore in the background. The ship's configuration is dated post 1890.

Inscriptions & markings

Hand written in pen on base of front “1854-1957”
Hand written on back in blue pen and crossed out “REC 409”
Hand written on back in pen ‘EDINA,’ “3173,” “086.2”
Hand written letter dated 19-12-37, from Mac to Arnie. Script writing in pen and ink letter on reverse of photograph – see “Context” section for transcription.