Historical information

The P.S Adelaide had been displayed in the Hopwood Gardens from 1960. In 1984 The City of Echuca decided to put the paddle steamer back in the river. This happened over several weeks and involved digging a boat ramp into the bank in front of the Hopwood Gardens. This involved a lot of skill and people. It also attracted a lot of attention. Crowds gathered every day to watch the task. In this photograph the P.S Pevensey in the foreground still has the name P.S Philadelphia writing on its name plate. The P.S Pevensey was used in the TV Series 'All The Rivers Run', as the P.S Philadelphia. Relates to a series of images Reg. nos. P000059.3, P000061.3, P000062.2, P000063.3, P000070.2, P000071.

Significance

The re-floating of the P.S Adelaide is significant because it occurred at a time when the Tourist Industry was gathering momentum in Echuca. The City of Echuca made the decision to add another paddle steamer to its fleet to carry passengers on the Murray River. The P.S Adelaide is one of the oldest, still operative wooden hulled paddle steamers in the world. It celebrated it's 150th birthday in July 2016. The re-floating of the P.S Adelaide created a lot of attention locally and regionally.

Physical description

A rectangular coloured photograph, and enlargement photograph, of the P.S. Adelaide being re-launched into the Murray River , on the 3rd April, 1984. The photograph is taken from the N.S.W bank with the P.S Pevensey in the foreground right corner of the photograph. The word Philadelphia can be seen faintly on the P.S Pevensey. There is a large crowd of people on the Victorian bank watching. There is a floating pontoon on the river immediately in front of the P.S Adelaide.

Inscriptions & markings

On near boat obscured are the words Philadelphia.