Historical information

This card relates to an excursion aboard “The SS Otway leaving the Warrnambool Jetty at 8 am April 18th 1873 to go to Belfast and Portland courtesy of the Warrnambool Steam Navigation Company Limited which was originally called the Warrnambool Steam Packet Company. The Otway was the second steamer purchased by the company. It had a number of ships which traded along the coast including, the Nelson, Julia Percy, Otway and The Edina. The Edina was originally owned by Stephen Henty who was operating it from Portland but he sold it to the new company for £8500. Henty then withdrew from the Belfast and Warrnambool trade for a time but it proved to be a competitive business. The name was changed again in 1878 to The Western Steam Navigation Company and the SS Otway was put up for sale.
This card relates to one of the first trips, if not the first trip, taken by the SS Otway

Significance

Shipping was a major part of the history of Warrnambool and this ticket is a link to one of the earliest passenger and freight services which operated along the coast.

Physical description

Small cream card with light purple text with company name at the top. Capital letters done in scroll lettering. There are feint markings in the centre of the back which appear to have been rubbed off.

Inscriptions & markings

Signed by Captn Selby. William R Evans manager. 18th April 1873.