Historical information
Built in 1910 by A & J Inglis, of Glasgow, Scotland (yard no 290). 1412 t. Her length of 310 ft (95 m) made her the largest paddler on the bay, serving until 1942. It was initially owned by Huddart Parker Ltd, Melbourne. She then embarked on a new adventure having been bought by the US Navy for use as an accommodation ship. She sailed to Sydney and then onwards via Brisbane and new Guinea under tow. She ended up in the Philippines sailing as part of the towed convoy of assorted vessels backing up the US invasion. She came back to Australia owned by the Federal Government and sold for scrap. In 1951, her remains were scuttled off Berry Bay in New South Wales.
Physical description
Scale model of PS Weeroona
Subjects
References
- PS Weeroona The PS ‘Weeroona’ was a paddle steamer, built by A & J Inglis Pointhouse, in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1910. ” . . . At Glasgow on Wednesday the new excursion steamer which is being built for the Port Phillip Bay summer trade was successfully launched. The Weeroona, as the new vessel has been named, will, when completed, be one of the finest excursion boats afloat . . . “ ” . . . In external appearance she will follow on the lines of the Hygeia and the Ozone. She will be propelled by three cylinder surface-condensing, diagonal engines, working on three cranks, which will reduce vibration to a minimum ; is to have a speed of from 18 to 20 knots an hour, and should cover the distance between Port Melbourne and Queenscliff in one hour 45 minutes . . . “ Source: Excerpt – ‘Geelong Advertiser’ – Article “New Bay Steamer – The Weeroona Launched” – published 10 Jun 1910
- Item MM 103 Negative - Stern & Paddlewheel Wake of P.S. 'Weeroona', Port Phillip Bay, Port Melbourne, Victoria, 1914
- A salute to the doyen of old Paddle Steamer Weeroona Recently the attention of the NHSA was drawn to the possibility of a paddle-steamer serving in the RAN. It appears that the closest was PS Weeroona built as a Port Phillip excursion steamer, originally considered as an RAN patrol vessel until wiser council prevailed, but taken over by the USN in 1942. She was used as a rest vessel around the New Guinea area and further North and brought back in 1945. This article by Max Thomson, an Honorary Life Member of the Naval Historical Society reprinted from the Afloat magazine July 2003 edition covers the life of Weeroona.
