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The first Echuca Steam Rally was held in 1963 and grew in popularity over the following decades, especially after the arrival of the paddlesteamers Adelaide and Pevensey. This souvenir gazette may have been a new idea being published in 1976, which says 'Volume 1. No. 1', and consists of an editorial by Jack Prentice, Steam Rally Director, thanking people for their support, as the Rally had by then grown from a small fundraising event to a major event attracting people from 'all over the Commonwealth'. The Rally (and Rotary Park) allowed facilities and demonstrations for enthusiasts to restore and maintain irreplaceable machinery from the past. It has anecdotes and explanations that steam enthusiasts would love and is a lasting reminder of when steam engines were becomoing a thing of the past.

jack prentice, steam rally, locky mckenzie, 1976

conservation lp, p.s. pevensey, barge kulnine, darling river

conservation lp, charles dowell collection, eagle barge

k hutchinson collection, conservation lp, p.s. pevensey

The PS Success was built in Moama in June 1977 by GB Air for Westwood & Air. It was built to tow barges of cargo along the Darling and Murray rivers, as well as running as a passenger boat from Swan Hill to Mildura during 1915-16. The Success was the last paddlesteamer actively working on the river when she performed several rescue voyages to flood bound properties along on the Darling River, rescuing sheep and a large cargo of wool. The vessel ended her working life in 1957 and was put up on the bank at Ned's corner, 80km west of Mildura. In 1996, the Pollard family donated the vessel to the Riverboat Historical and Preservation Society of Mildura with plans to restore her to her former glory. This project became increasingly difficult for the dedicated volunteers to handle and the Port of Echuca took ownership in 2009 in the hopes that further restoration work can be done at the Port. The Succes is currently on static display at the northern end of the Port of Echuca.

The PS Success had a long, colourful history towing barges on the Murray River and in particular in the Mildura, Wentworth and Ned's Corner regions. She was the last paddlesteamer to be working on the river system right up until the 1956 floods towing the barge Vega, where at one point both boat and barge smashed into trees on a wild, uncontrolled journey downstream where she was damaged and later lay stranded on Ned's Corner.

Composite timber hull, 3-inch red gum planks on angle iron frames. Carvel built with counter stern and straight stem. Originally had a round keel and a pair of 35hp engines.

Success

paddle steamers, echuca boat builders, westwood & air

This steering wheel is from the PS Success. The PS Success was built in Moama in 1877 by GB Air for Westwood & Air. The Success towed barges of sawn red gum, wool & other cargo along the Darling and Murray Rivers as well as running as a passenger boat from Swan Hill to Mildura during 1915-16. The Success ended her working life in 1957 and was put up on the bank at Neds Corner, 80kms west of Mildura. The PS Success was donated to the Riverboat Historical and Preservation Society of Mildura with plans for full restoration but with funds becoming extremely difficult to secure, the Shire of Campaspe was approached to take ownership in 2009 to enable further restoration when possible. The Riverboat Preservation Society also donated this original steering wheel.

The PS Success was an important vessel built in the Echuca area during the height of the Riverboat trade in the 1870s. She had a long, colourful history towing barges on the Murray River and in particular in the Mildura, Wentworth and Ned's Corner regions. Importantly, the Success was the last paddlesteamer to be working on the river system right up until the 1956 floods rescuing sheep and wool. The steering wheel is an important original element of the PS Success and her hopes for restoration one day.

Red metal steering wheel with 10 spokes sitting on a heavy iron wheel stand.

One of the last designed H Class Box Van, built at the Newport workshops in 1893. It was an important part of the railway scene but only remained in their relative use for a short time. It remained in service in an altered form until 1983, by which time the H van had been at Echuca Wharf for 10 years.

This van is very significant. It is a good example of the transitional period of rolling stock design, using timber with some steel components around the turn of the 20th century. The H van In Echuca is the only one with the bar doors still fitted.

Vic Railways red 4 wheeled Produce Van with solid timber and a barred door to provide ventilation when carrying fruit and vegetables

H Class

wharf, shire of campaspe, newport workshop, barred door, victorian railways, rollingstock collection, steam trains

Built as a wooden flat wagon by Rawlings & Co in Melbourne in 1874. it was altered to a mobile 2 ton crane in 1898. In service in Maryborough for most of its service until February 1974.Actual identity of this unit is not confirmed and is possible it is one of other similar wagon mounted cranes. rebuilt with all timber components replaced at Echuca Wharf c2000

This vehicle is unusual and very significant as even though the timber components have been replaced it still retains substantial ironwork dating from 1874 and the 1898 conversion to portable cranes.

Wooden Flat Portable Crane by Rawlings & Co Melbourne 1874

K 279

wharf, shire of campaspe, rawlings & co melbourne, portable crane, rollingstock collection, steam trains

Standard Victorian Railways Louvre Van one of 905 built. Built at Newport Workshops in February 1st1952. U1422 is one of the last batch of this design of van built at Newport between September 1951 and May 1952. The first of these vans was built in January 1908 as a lengthened of all steel louvre van was introduced in 1897.

This Van is now the only surviving complete example of the long wheelbase louvre van which was a major part of the Victorian Railways from 1908 until 1988. These Louvre Vans would have been a common site at the Echuca Wharf. Although it is a relatively late example of its type.

Standard Vic Railways Louvre Van

U Class

wharf, shire of campaspe, newport workshop, barred door, rollingstock collection, steam trains

This Johnson Bros. (USA) Locomotive Type Boiler was from a steam shovel (that moved on rails) that excavated rock and soil during the construction of Stevens Weir near Deniliquin NSW in 1934. It has a working pressure of 100psi. This is an example of a fire tube boiler where the fire from the fire box heats the water surrounding the fire tubes running through the boiler, smoke escapes out the smoke stack and the steam is captured in the dome and sent through pipes toward other engines in the Port of Echuca Steam Display. Two glass gauges are fitted on the side of the firebox. Two safety valves are fitted at the top of the boiler to maintain the correct and safe pressure. It still functions today for visitors most days of the week.

A good example of the technology and industrial history of the Riverina region of southern NSW and northern Victoria. It is an integral part of the Port of Echuca Steam Display running secondary engines off the steam produced within this boiler.

Large cast iron, fire tube boiler with 124 fire tubes, fire box, steam dome and exhaust chimney.

boiler, johnson bros, steam display, kevin hutchinson steam shed

Standard Victorian Railways Brake Van (Guards Van) originally Z 448 built at Newport Workshops & body built by Grimmond & Party butty gang. Entered traffic on 23rd March 1914. Altered to ZL448 incorporating long travel draft gear, 28th November 1961. Off Register on 10th August 1982 & sold to Echuca City Council 3rd September 1982

This is an example of the most numerous type of brake van used by Victorian Railways over a very long period. Brake vans would not have been a common sight at the Wharf as the line to the Wharf was operated as a siding from Echuca Station, so a brake van was not required. It is possible that a shunter walked ahead of the train to and from the wharf. This vehicle is significant. However a large number survive in operable condition around Victoria.

Standard Vic Rail Brake (Guards) Van.

wharf, shire of campaspe, newport workshop, brake van, grimmond & party butty gang, guards van, rollingstock collection, steam trains

The A2 class was an express passenger locomotive that ran on Victorian Railways from 1907 to 1963. The 996 arrived at the Port of Echuca in 1968 from Newport and was donated to the City of Echuca by the Echuca Lions Club & the Rotary Club who had purchased it for 1250 pounds. the A2 996 is displayed at the Echuca Wharf Railway Siding.

A2 996 is one of the later batch of sixty A2 class express passenger locomotives built with superheating and other design enhancements including Walschaerts valve gear. it was constructed at Newport Workshops in 1916 and was among the last few A2 class remaining in service when taken off register by the Victorian Railways in November 1963.

Steam Locomotive made of steel & wrought iron with black livery.

Front- A2 996 /. Rear - 996

a2 locomotive, echuca lions club/rotary club, wharf, echuca loco shed, shire of campaspe, newport workshop, rollingstock collection, steam trains

This picture frame was hung in the Bridge Hotel in the upstairs display that was assembled in the 1970s and can be seen in some of the photographs taken upstairs over the decades in the Port Collection.

A round wooden photo frame decorated with carved circles with a sepia circular photo of young woman with voluminous hairstyle inside it. She has a triple strand of pearls around her neck. At the bottom of the photo if written Talma & Co, Swanston St, Melbourne. A brown string like a shoe lace is threaded through 2 hooks to hang it from.

'Part of her mother's effects, K Robertson, born 1886 carved this frame as a girl probably around 1903. Subject not known, a friend perhaps.' written on the back of the photo.

bridge hotel, k robertson, talma & co, picture frame

This pencilled letter from 1892, was written on the steamer 'Success' by Mr Terry Davidson's grandmother, Frances Edith Ashe was posted to her sister, Florence (Floss) when the steamer arrived at Pooncarrie en route to the Murray and Echuca. Frances Edith (who signs the letter with her nickname 'Yeeds') was finishing her employment as a governess at the Teryawynia Station in the employ of the Gilberts. Teryawynia is situated on the Talyawalka Creek some 30 kms from the Darling River. The beginning point for the river journey recorded as being Henley Outstation - this being some 50 kms upstream from Menindee. At the time of writing this letter, she was 20 years old and on her second job as a governess. Her sister Floss was three years older. The references to 'George' withint the letter relate to a 24-year old George Alecander Davisdon, w worker on Teryawynia while she was therre - she was to marry Geroge some six years later. the description of life onboard and of the river journey (more than family chit chat) make up the valuable historical elements to thi sletter. It is appropriate that this letter will reside within a collection that tells the story of the paddlesteamers and their part in our Australian history.

Steamer "Success" stamp

p.s. success, darling river, pooncarrie n.s.w

Jenny Watson is a long-time employee of the Port of Echuca known for her extensive knowledge of the Murray River and associated stories of past and present. Born in Rhodesia, Jenny escaped internal conflict and came to Australia at 19 years old. A great horsewoman and also a natural on vessels, when she came to Echuca in the 1980s, she soon trained for her Masters Certificate with the encouragement of skippers such as Kevin Hutchinson and Alan Bartch. She skippered the P.S. Canberra and P.S. Emmylou for many years. Jenny worked at the Tourism Centre before the Discovery Centre was built. Her knowledge helped her become an integral Tour Guide at the Port of Echuca and her sensitivity to the unseen world, led her to develop the special Port After Dark Tour revealing some of the spirits and energy that runs unseen through the Port from past events. This remains a very popular tour with visitors and locals. Jenny currently comes in as a specialist volunteer talking to visitors about every subject to do with Port. Jenny is a living legend. Jenny features in the Women of the River Exhibit in the Discovery Centre.

Digital recording of oral history interview with Jenny Watson riverboat captain in the 1980s.

discovery centre, tour guide, port after dark, captains, murray river captains, women of the river, p.s. canberra, p.s. emmylou, 1980s

From the 1870s Captains were required to sit a steamship competency exam to operate a vessel on the Murray River. William Tomas Mansfield freeman was born in Echuca in 1888.

Valid on River Murray & Tributaries

captains, murray river, marine board of victoria, certificate of competency, marine act 1890, master

From the 1870s Captains were required to sit a steamship competency exam to operate a vessel on the Murray River. Alfred Corfield Taylor was born in Echuca in1869 and passed examination 22/5/1902

captains, murray river captains, marine board of victoria, certificate of competency, marine act 1890, third class engine-driver

From the 1870s Captains were required to sit a steamship competency exam to operate a vessel on the Murray River. Certificate states that Alexander George Smith was born in Echuca Victoria in 1869 and passed examination 22/5/1902.

captains, murray river captains, marine board of victoria, certificate of competency, marine act 1890, third class engine-driver

The Ada is a barge made of a composite of wood and iron. it was built at Echuca in 1899 to carry wool and cargo from station properties on the Murray and Murrumbidgee rivers to the Port of Echuca . It was towed along the river by paddle steamers, mainly The PS Pevensey. The Ada could carry 350 tons of cargo and was originally owned by The Permewan and Wright, Murray Shipping Co. In the late 1930s she was bought by the Evans Brothers' Red Gum Sawmill. Two bulkheads were removed to enable the logs, to be placed inside and transported to the mills. Road transport overtook the use of the river barges, and The Ada was left abandoned on the banks of the Murray River opposite the sawmill until it was purchased by the Port of Echuca in 1974 and refloated in 1979.

A barge with a composite hull of steel and timber which was built in 1898

ADA signage on port and starboard bow

The D26 is an authentic outrigger logging barge - one of four that were towed by P.S. Adelaide for 80 years of its working life. In March 1987 Council purchased the barge from Deakin Shire in South Australia for $15,000. However, its restoration was put on hold until the crew had completed work on the P.S. Enterprise, eventually beginning in 1988 using local red gum. The barge was relaunched at Echuca East on Australia Day, 1990. The D26 remains at the Port of Echuca and on special occasions can be seen being towed by the P.S. Adelaide for demonstrations.

The restored D26 outrigger barge is an example of early 20th century boat building technology developed for transporting reg gum logs downstream along the Murray River, often from the Barmah Forest to the Murray River Sawmills at Echuca. It shows the resourcefulness and manual transport techniques for a timber that does not float and had to be chained to the outrigging logs laying perpendicular to the hull. These outrigger barges could be let go to float with the current downstream with a bargeman onboard. Often there was no tiller or helm, but a chain was tied to the ballast at the back to keep the barge in the centre of the river channel. This allowed the Murray River Sawmills built 4 barges to go behind the PS Adelaide, the A11, the B22, the C24 and the D26.

Timber outrigger logging barge

D26

d26, p.s. adelaide, logging industry, murray river sawmill

PS Pevensey was the last vessel to be built on the Moama slipway in 1910. it was originally built as the barge Mascotte a year earlier. It is powered by a 20hp Marshall and Sons steam engine and was first used on the Murrumbidgee River where it collected wool bales and brought them back to Echuca where they were loaded onto trains and taken to Melbourne for shipping overseas. The PS Pevensey was named after the Pevensey Station on the Murrumbidgee River. In the 1950's it travelled to South Australia where it survived being burnt and sunk but continued to keep working in the agricultural industry. It was sold to the Port of Echuca in 1973 where it was restored over 3 years and is still the largest vessel operating from the Echuca Wharf. In 1982, it was temporarily renamed The Philadelphia, and starred in the TV mini series " All The River's Run" based on the books by Nancy Cato. In 1985 Prince Charles and Lady Diana visited Echuca and cruised on the PS Pevensey, although it was labelled PS Philadelphia for the occasion. It is the largest vessel operating from the Echuca wharf as it can carry 90 passengers or 120 tons of cargo.

PS Pevensey is a Murray River paddle steamer from 1910 and was built at Moama in NSW opposite the Port of Echuca. It was one of the largest towing and cargo paddle steamers on the river and was known as "the great Clydesdale" of the river. PS Pevensey remained operating on the river until 1958 after a number of years lying dormant it was purchased in 1973 and restored at Echuca. It began operating again in 1976 and it is still taking trips. it is one of a small number that still operates in its cargo carrying layout and with its original reconditioned engine. Coming back to Echuca PS Pevensey brought Kevin Hutchinson OAM to work at the Port of Echuca for the rest of his life.

A side wheeled paddle steamer. Originally built as a barge the barge Mascot in 1910. Rebuilt as the PS Pevensey a year later in 1911.

Pevensey sign on the wheelhouse.

wool bales, murrumbidgee river, all the rivers run, pevensey station, port of echuca wharf, prince charles and lady diana, the barge mascotte, kevin hutchinson.

Built in 1866 in Echuca, the PS Adelaide is the oldest wooden hulled paddle steamer still operating as a passenger vessel in the world. Engines made in Melbourne by Fulton and Shaw. JG Grassie was the original owner who was looking for a wool carrying boat as a commercial venture with the arrival of the rail at the Port of Echuca making the future look bright. Seutonius and Charles Officer of Murray Downs Station joined Grassie in financing the venture and they used the boat for 6 years before David Blair and partners (Echuca sawmillers) bought the Adelaide in July of 1872 and she began her long working life as a logging boat providing a shuttle service between the forests around Barmah and the mill, usually towing up to 3 or 4 barges. The paddle boxes were rebuilt from round to a square configuration in approximately 1924 by Charles Felshaw, local Echuca shipwright. The Adelaide had unusual strength for her size. Her career ended in the mid 1950s where she lay idle tied up near the mill at Echuca wharf. For a short time she was sold to Mildura but fortunately the Apex Club raised funds to buy her back to be a reminder of the riverboat days at the Port. She was lifted out for safekeeping into Hopwood Gardens where she remained on show for nearly 25 years. After restoration by Port shipwright Keven Hutchinson OAM, she returned to the waters of the Murray River on Sunday March 4th 1984 at 5.20pm. After further restoration, in 1985 the Prince and Princess of Wales re-commissioned PS ADELAIDE in a ceremony on their tour of the region.

The world's oldest wooden hulled paddle steamer still operating as a passenger vessel today built in Echuca in 1866. It is often considered the flagship of the operational fleet of the Port of Echuca given its age and known provenance to Echuca. The Adelaide is an iconic symbol of the riverboat timber and cargo trade that worked on the Murray River from the mid 1800s. Remarkably, PS ADELAIDE still operates with its original Fulton and Shaw engines.

Composite hull, side wheeler with two single cylinder steam engines, producing a total of 36hp. Currently cream and burgundy moored at the Echuca Wharf. 49 passenger capacity.

P.S. Adelaide signage on wheelhouse and port and starboard bow.

p.s. adelaide, paddle steamers, echuca boat builders, charles felshaw

Permewan Wright & Co Ltd were one of the biggest shipping agents on the Murray in the 2nd half of the 19th century. They were a cartage company established in 1856 in Geelong, who opened one of its twenty Victorian branches at Echuca in 1875. The company dominated the river trade in Echuca during the 1880s and 1890s, operating a fleet of steamers on the Murray, Murrumbidgee and Edwards Rivers.

Off White Vase with blue decorative Permewan Wright Co Flag. Thin blue lines encircled at top and middle. Slightly scalloped opening.

Decorative Scrolls embossed on one side.

permewan wright, river transport, permewan wright building, permewan wright flag

The P.S. Alexander Arbuthnot was the last of the paddle steamers built at Koondrook, for the river trade in 1923. Owned by the Arbuthnot Sawmills. She was used to bring timber in from the forest to the sawmills to be processed from logs to timber. She was later owned by Evans Bros and then Barmah Charcoal Ltd. She sank at Yeilima, re-floated in 1973, placed on a low loader and taken to Shepparton for preservation. Echuca city council bought her for the Port of Echuca in April 1989. She was bought to Echuca in December 1991 to complete her restoration by shipwright Kevin Hutchinson. She is now used as a passenger vessel and is licensed to carry 47 passengers. The P.S. Alexander Arbuthnot is a reminder of the past life on the river.

Being the last paddle steamer built for the river trade in 1923, the Alexander Arbuthnot is a reminder of the past life on the river. Licensed to now carry 47 passengers, she was used by the saw mills to bring timber in from the forests to the sawmills.

A timber planked, monohull, side wheeled paddlesteamer with a 8hp horizontal Ruston Hornby steam engine. It has a flat bottom and mutiple decks. Currently painted cream with burgandy trim.

Alexander Arbuthnot signage on wheelhouse and port and starboard bow

p.s. alexander arbuthnot

black and white photo with color border

on back views of Wharf at Echuca River Murray

Small wooden frame of a Lithograph showing a river scene with 2 paddle steamers, a sailing boat and an Indigenous bark canoe on a river, with a town and a wharf in the background. The sky is cloudy.

LADY AUGUSTA & MARY ANN at Swan Hill, September 1853. (By courtesy of South Australian Archives)

Wooden mantel clock mounted on a piece of timber which appears to have been screwed down onto another piece of furniture.. The timber is red coloured. The clock has brass handles on both sides, one of which is missing. The clock is very rectangular in shape.

Eight hour, half hour turn E.N Welch Mfg. Co. 37/6 Fosterville. are the only discernable words written on the remains of a red label stuck on the back of the clock. WELCH is written on the clock face.

Wooden Blasbulk Mantel clock, with gold clock face.

Watchmakers & Jewellers. M.Blasbulk; Dean St, Albury . Written on the inside of the back door of the clock; MB Rep 7/4/05 RB, M.B Representative 16/6/08. R.E, MB Rep. 4/1/11 NXS Rep.12/2/19 J.McK '85 29/10/98