paddlesteamers.info : The Internet's leading website for
Side-Wheeled Paddle Steamers
PS
Melbourne
Built : 1912
Hull : Wood (redgum) and iron
Engines : Compound
Boiler : Wood-fired - built by Marshall Engineering in the UK
Length : 98 ft : Breadth - 40ft across sponsons : Draught - 2 ft 6 in
(bow), 3 ft (stern)
Built for the Government of the State of Victoria for
clearing fallen trees from the Murray river and also was on hand tohelp with
any contruction work along the river such as bridges and locks. She was later
owned by the Evans family's saw mills and used to transport logs, but was takenout
of service in 1942. Owned since 1965 by the Pointon family, she was quickly
renovated moved from Echuca to Mildura and now operates two daily cruises from Mildura, in late morning
and early afternoon. She normally passes through Lock 11 and cruises
include commentaries about local history, landscape, vegetation and
wildlife. The engines and boiler are open to view.
Return to
Australia