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Port Phillip Bay, Victoria
Paddle steamers are believed to have operated from the 1840s as settlement expanded and tourist resorts developed in the Port Phillip Bay area.......and a thriving industry survived until into the second world war. The removal of PS Weeroona for military duties for the US Navy brought an end to paddle steamer operations and although the paddler returned to Australia after the war she never resumed her earlier role and languished in Sydney harbour for five years before being scrapped.
The Bay Excursion Company
was
started by Sorrento-based entrpreneur George Coppin, whose interests
included the local theatre, hotels and a tourist tramway. He had also
been involved with the Sorrento & Queenscliff Steam Navigation
Company. Their paddle Steamer Ozone came under the management of Bay Steamers Ltd in 1917
Ozone
Built in 1886 by Napier,
Shanks & Bell of Yoker, Scotland (yard no 34). 572 grt. 260 ft (79 m) long.
Served until 1918. Broken up in 1925, but her hull and wheels were retained
then scuttled off Indented Head as a breakwater and remains visible to this
day. A memorial to the steamer which features her anchor was established at the Head.
Her delivery voyage to Melbourne lasted from 25th August to 26th November
1886, sailing via Suez.
Photo is from the State Library of Victoria, Greene collection and in the public domain due to age
Huddart, Parker & Co
Huddart,
Parker & Co was founded in 1876 and rose to become one of the major
companies in Australia based on a network of coastal shipping routes
and remaining an independent operator until 1961. They owned two major
paddle steamers for local operations in the Melbourne area which
operated for Bay Steamers Ltd (a Huddart Parker subsidiary
company) from 1912.
Hygeia
Built in 1890 by Napier, Shanks & Bell of Yoker, Scotland
(yard no 49). At 300 ft (92 m) long, she was an enormous paddler, outclassing
the luxurious Ozone and surviving in service until 1930. In 1932 her stripped shell
was scuttled off Barwon Heads
Weeroona
Built in 1910 by A & J Inglis, of Glasgow, Scotland (yard no 290). 1412 GRT. Her length of 310 ft (95 m) made her the largest paddler on the bay
Engine : 3 cylinder compound 39, 56 and 56 in x 66 in
She served until 1942 then was bought by the US Navy for use as an accommodation ship. She sailed to Sydeney and then onwards via Brisbane and new Guinea under tow. She ended up in the Phillippines sailing as part of the towed convoy of assorted vessels backing up the US invasion. She came back to Australia owned by the Federal Government but with no prospect of use, she was laid up and later sold for scrap. In 1951, her remains were scuttled off Berry's Bay in Sydney harbour.
Photo is from the State Library of Victoria, Greene collection and in the public domain due to age
Other Operators : James Deane
Mystery
Owned by James Deane from 1868 to 1872
Williams
Built 1854 by J Scott & Co of Greenock. 155 ft (later 166 ft) : 327 GRT. Engines : oscillating by McNab of Greenock.Lonsdale
Built
in 1882 by R Steele & Co at Greenock, Scotland (Yard no 120). 452
grt as built. 551 grt after lengthening from 200 ft in 1883. Length 228
ft, iron hull. Originally owned by James Deane but quickly taken over by
the Port Philip Steamship & Hotel Company and lengthened. In 1889 she was blown ashore at
Port Melbourne Bay and beached. Ownership placed in the hands of a
local bank. It was not until January 1891 that she was refloated, but
rather than be fully repaired she was sent for scrap.
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