Historical information

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.

PS Etona was built in 1898 at Milang, South Australia as a missionary church steamer for the Church of England. The Etona's run was from Mannum, South Australia, where she was based up to Renmark. As churches were built in river tower she was no longer required and in 1912 she was sold to Captain Arch Conner who used her as a fishing steamer at Boundary Bend for many years. She was brought out of retirement during the 1956 floods to do trips up the Murrumbidgee River. She was eventually bought by interest in Echuca and restoration was commenced in 1962. The Etona, now fully restored with her original steam engine can now be seen moored along side the historic wharf at Echuca.

Significance

Contributes to our knowledge of the importance of shipping and places on record those stories of the sea which would otherwise be lost.