WILLIAMS 327 gross tons, 219 net. Lbd: 155' x 20'8" x 11'. Iron paddle passenger steamer, two funnels built by Scott & Co., Greenock Glasgow for Hunter River New S N Co., Sydney. Purchased by ASN Co October 1862 after they initially chartered her in June to continue their Brisbane - Rockhampton run (when they lost the Prince of Wales). Placed on the New Zealand run when that particular 'goldrush' era occured, visiting Auckland as the main port of call. Once the rush ended, she was sold May 1872 to James Deane, (Hotelier) Melbourne. Mr Deane had her altered as a salvage tug and utilised as a part-time excursion steamer on Port Phillip Bay. Lengthened 1872 - 322 gross tons, 203 net with Lbd: 166' x 22'4" x 11'. Commencing excursions on 9 November 1872 to Queenscliff and Sorrento. Used as an excursion steamer in the summer and a tug in winter. Here then, where he owned a Hotel on the Penninsular, he was innovative enough to utilise this vessel as a weekend excursion vehicle from Melbourne to the nearest jetty to his Hotel. It is quite possible this was the first of the 'Bay Steamers" that became so popular on Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, Victoria. Sold October 1885 to Melbourne Coal, Shipping & Engineering Co Ltd., which itself merged with other parties in creating the Melbourne Steamship Co. 1894 this vessel was removed from the register as reported broken up
BALCLUTHA Originally 433 gross tons, 1868 increased to 456 gross tons, 262 net. Lbd: 202'1" x23'3" x 13'3". Iron passenger steamship built by Caird & Co., Greenock Scotland for R Little (& possible partners) as well as part owner and skipper, Captain F H Trouton in replacing the lost 'Admella'. Worked Port Adelaide to Albany on a mail contract for the South Australian Government, during a climate of 'rate-war' between the major players of the era. Lost the mail contraact in 1861 and transferred to the Adelaide-Melbourne-Sydney run in direct oppostion to ASN Co., Sydney. Switched to the Sydney - Brisbane route which prompted ASN Co to purchase her outright. The Captain Trouton continued his duty and rose through ASN Co., ranks eventually attaining General Manager status. Meanwhile the Balclutha served all of this concerns coastal passenger routes including travel to Noumea on behalf of the Montifiore Company from 1873. Sold June 1881 to C M Poole and was lost with a loss of 22 hands when travelling from Sydney to Melbourne, as a collier October 1881. She was last seen in the vicinity of Gabo Island, Victoria
DIAMANTINA 285 gross tons, 239 net. Lbd: 158'1" x 23'6" x 8'7". Iron Paddle steamer, 2 cylinders 120 horsepower, and fitted with passenger capacity. Built by C Mitchell & Co., Low Walker on Tyne for ASN Co., Sydney. Fitted with paddle wheels at Sydney March 15th 1862 upon arrival under sail from England. Intended for the Northern New South Wales rivers' and bar harbour trades and worked those including occassional trips to Queensland when sold March 1870 to Clarence & Richmond Rivers S N Co, Sydney. Sold January 1875 to Manning River S N Co., only to be stranded on the Manning River bar March 31st 1881. Several failed salvage efforts saw her abandoned to underwriters and she was sold to J Booth, who salvaged her and re-registered her as a fully rigged sailing ship. Sold 1883 to Burns Philp & Co., Ltd, sailed to Townsville Queensland and converted into a hulk. Scrapped 1907
PRINCE OF WALES 548 gross tons. Lbd: 216'9" x 27' x 12'5". Iron Paddle steamer built by Charles Lungley, Deptford London for the ASN Co. Designed for the Sydney - Queensland passenger service, she was lost off Camden Head, New South Wales September (another record says October) 2nd or 3rd 1962
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