murray • Find • State Library of South Australia

River Steamer, "Bourke"

Dunk, William Peter, 1882, Photograph, B 12221

River steamer, Bourke at Wilcannia. The Paddle Steamer Bourke weighed 153 tons and was later converted to a barge in 1898. She operated on the Murray River from 1876 to 1896

River Steamer, "Ruby"

c. 1890, Photograph, B 12223

River Steamer, Ruby - the second Ruby, built 1876 for Elliot Randell of Euchuca/Moama. There were 4 riverboat of this name to be used on the River Murray. The third "Ruby" was built in 1894.

River Steamer "Marion"

1950, Photograph, B 12283

River Steamer "Marion" at Mildura. She is propped up on the banks of the River Murray. About this time she experienced boiler trouble that necessitated repairs

River Steamer "Mannum"

c. 1925, Photograph, B 12287

River Steamer "Mannum (2)" was largely rebuilt from the fire damaged "Mannum (1)". she was possibly the largest boat on the Murray. The Captain was J Payne from 1920.

River Steamer "Mannum"

c. 1919, Photograph, B 12300

River Steamer "Mannum". She was the largest boat on the Murray and was largely destroyed by fire in 1920. "Mannum (2)" was built from the wreckage

River Steamer "Avoca"

1923, Photograph, B 12308

River Steamer "Avoca" at Mannum operated from 1877, sank in 1878, then left the river for Spencer Gulf trade. Returned to the Murray in 1920 to cart stone

River Steamer "Alpha", known as "Murray Marvel" weighed 50 tons, built in 1899 and was a light draught trading steamer with a reputation for sailing when no other could get through. She was largely built from the wreck of "Nil Desperandum". Mrs Collins was the engineer in 1918

River Steamer "Avoca"

c. 1910, Photograph, B 12536

River Steamer "Avoca" was built in 1877. She sank near Wilcannia in 1878. Left river trade for Spencer Gulf trade c.1890. Returned to River Murray c.1920 to cart stone and occasional "rough" tourist trips. She sank at Mildura in 2014

River Steamer "Etona"

Reiners Studio, c. 1900, Photograph, B 12537

River Steamer "Etona" moored on the bank of the Murray River. Two clerical gentlemen are on board with two women seated on deck chairs, and another man. "Etona 1" (1892-1900) was owned by the Church of England and performed as a missionary boat for Eton School. Purchased by the South Australia Government in 1900 and renamed "Alma". "Etona 2" existed from 1900 to 1912 and was also owned by the Church of England and acted as a fishing launch after being sold in 1912

River Steamer "Merle"

c. 1914, Photograph, B 12563

River Steamer "Merle" and tender "Flo D", which was a store fitted out as a shop inside. Taken at the junction of the Darling and Murray Rivers."Merle" was a stern wheeler built in 1903. She was a Hawking steamer named for Captain Diener's eldest daughter (barge "Flo" was named for the younger daughter) She sunk in Lake Alexandrina in 1917

"Lady Daly" River Steamer

Burnell, G., 1862, Photograph, B 12661

[General description] Side view of 'P.S. Lady Daly' raising 'S.W. Settler', at Settlers Bend, near Renmark. Both are sternwheelers. The "Settler' owned by P.W. Jackson and Alexander Murray, was built at Fletcher's Slip at Port Adelaide. At 167 feet long including the wheel, she proved far too long to negotiate the many twists of the upper river. After just one season she was taken off the rivers. The 'Lady Daly' built by the same owners was 112 feet plus wheel and served with success until the 1890s [On back of photograph] 'The date of the picture is stated to be 1862 / Information supplied by H. Godson, June 1966'

Paddlesteamer "Ellen" steaming

c. 1895, Photograph, B 14932

Paddlesteamer "Ellen" steaming on the River Murray. This vessel was launched in 1876, sank near Euston in 1923 and was destoyed by fire in 1930. She was a barge originally

'Etona' Mission Boat

c. 1900, Photograph, B 15231

'Etona' Mission Boat. The second steamer behind the 'Etona' is the 'Pyap'. The "Etona" was a missionary boat which was purchased by the South Austalian Government in 1900. She was renamed "Alma". She was built in 1892 and from 1900 until 1912 she was skippered by the Reverends WJ Bussell, HF Severn and FW Wilkinson. She was sold as a fishing boat. The "Pyap" was a trading steamer with the lightest draught on the Murray

"Etona" - Mission Boat

c. 1900, Photograph, B 15241

"Etona" - Mission Boat belonging to the Church of England. It was replaced in 1899 by a new paddle steamer built at Milang also called the "Etona". The launch then named "Patroller" was purchased by the Church of England in January 1891. It was then renamed "Etona"in June 1891. The launch was sold by the Church of England as the "Alma" in 1899

River Steamer "Tyro"

c. 1900, Photograph, B 15784

River Steamer "Tyro " operated from 1872 until 1926. She shuttled between Murray Bridge and Mannum from 1884-1917. She was largely destroyed by a boiler explosion in 1897. The Captain and engineer was badly scalded

"Marion", River Steamer

c. 1910, Photograph, B 17796

"Marion", river steamer on the River Murray.

"Trafalgar" and "Gem"

State Library of South Australia, c. 1920, Photograph, B 17815/43

River steamers "Trafalgar" and "Gem'. A researcher has suggested that this is at Wentworth Wharf, at the town of Wentworth in New South Wales, on the junction of the Darling and Murray Rivers.