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From: "Lynn & Ross Humphreys" <>
Subject: Our Steam Marine Part 2 - was [Mar] Paddle Steamer.? ILLAWARRA
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 18:43:35 +1100


Part 2 of article on steam in Australia in 1851
> >
> > We have, however, had some deaths from old age. The James Watt, after a
> > service of twenty years, was broken up, and her machinery transferred to
> > the Eagle. The Sophia Jane was run until she was completely worn out:
> > she was an excellent boat, admirably adapted for the Hunter trade, and
> > did an immense quantity of work in this colony ; her engines were placed
> > in the Phoenix.
> >
> > We close this brief sketch of our steam history with a list of steam
> > vessels now actually in the colony :
> >
> > Tamar, wood, Greenock, 1833, 130 tons, 60 horse power, low pressure;
> > Hunter River trade.
> >
> > Rose, iron, Poplar, 1840, 275 tons, 100 horse power, low pressure;
> > Hunter River Trade.
> >
> > Thistle, iron, Poplar, 1840, 231 tons, 100 horse power, low pressure ;
> > Hunter River trade.
> >
> > Eagle, wood, built in Sydney, by Chowne. in 1849, 224 tons, 80 horse
> > power, low pressure; Moreton Bay trade.
> >
> > Shamrock, iron, Bristol, 1841, 322 tons, 100 horse power, low pressure;
> > Port Phillip trade.
> >
> > William the Fourth, wood, William River, 1831, 84 tons, 18 horse power,
> > low pressure Wollongong trade.
> >
> > Emu, iron, British, 1841, 72 tons, 35 horse power, low pressure;
> > Parramatta River.
> >
> > Comet, wood, William River, 1842, 78 tons, 29 horsepower, low pressure;
> > Parramatta River.
> >
> > Brothers, wood, Sydney, 1847, 23 tons, 12 horse power, high pressure ;
> > ferry boat, Port Jackson.
> >
> > Waterman, wood, Sydney, 1844, 17 tons, 8 horse power, high pressure;
> > ferry boat, Port Jackson.
> >
> > Hawk, wood, Brisbane, 1849, 43 tons, 12 horse power, high pressure ;
> > Brisbane River.
> >
> > Agenoria, wood. Sydney, 1850, 21 tons, 9 horse power; Parramatta River.
> >
> > Pet, wood, Sydney, 1849, 10 tons, 3 horse power, low pressure;
> > ferryboat, Port Jackson.
> >
> > Ferry Queen, Balmain ; ferryboat.
> >
> > There are at Port Phillip, the Maitland, Aphrasia, and Derwent, employed
> > between Geelong and Melbourne, and a screw propeller called the
> > Melbourne, intended for the Launceston trade, is nearly ready to
> > commence running.
> >
> > Before leaving the subject we may say a few words on our prospects for
> > the future, A very large proportion of the steam trade of the colony is
> > now in the hands of the Hunter River Company, nearly all the seagoing
> > steam-boats in the colony belong to them, and in the Hunter River,
> > Moreton Bay, and Port Phillip trade, there are no steamers but theirs.
> > Finding, however, that the trade is increasing beyond their capital and
> > means, the Company is to be dissolved on the 30th June, and a new
> > Company, with an enlarged capital, has been formed, called "The
> > Australasian Steam Navigation Company. An agent is now in England
> > purchasing steam vessels for this Company, and at least three steamers,
> > one a full power paddle boat, and two screw-propellers, may be expected
> > to arrive from England within the next six months. Should much longer
> > delay in connecting this colony with the Indian steam route take place,
> > it is probable that the Australasian Company will procure a couple of
> > suitable vessels and run them between Singapore and Sydney.
> >
> > Information has also been received that Mr. H. G. Smith is having a
> > screw steamer built for the Wollongong trade. She was intended to leave
> > England in June, and may therefore be expected here in November.
> >
> > It will be seen from this that preparations are being made to meet the
> > growing and extending wants of the colony as population increases, and
> > that this is done by the gradual accumulation of colonial capital, and
> > that the profits from Steam Navigation belong to the colony, and are not
> > sent away to swell the dividends of absentees.
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > Paul
> > 50.33.50N 02.26.70W
> > http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/Naval.html


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