Paddle Steamer Melbourne - Mildura - Murray River

It was in 1965, that Captain Alby Pointon purchased the P.S. Melbourne after searching along the Murray River for another Paddle Steamer to restore for his growing business in Mildura. (Captain Pointon was at that stage operating the smaller P.S. Mayflower which he also rebuilt from a wreck). After extensive boiler and hull repairs, the Melbourne's boiler was fired again for the first time in 23 years for her long voyage from Echuca to Mildura. Upon arriving at Mildura, and after further careful restoration, the P.S. Melbourne departed Mildura Wharf on her maiden voyage carrying passengers on the 1st January, 1966.

The P .S. Melbourne is licensed to carry 300 passengers, and is 98 feet long, 21 feet wide at the waterline and 40 feet across the top of the paddles. Like all other Paddle Steamers, she has almost a flat bottom and therefore a very shallow draught. The bow only draws 2 feet, 6 inches whilst the stern 3 feet. So the Melbourne could safely float and operate fully laden in less than 4 feet of water.

The old steam engine was originally built by the Marshall Engineering Company in England. The boiler is referred to as a loco type with a maximum steam pressure of 150 lbs and still fired by wood. This in turn drives a twin cylinder compound engine, which at normal cruising speed turns at about 60 turns per minute. (At her maximum speed of 11 miles per hour, 130 rpm).

Of the 250 Paddle Steamers built and used on the River Murray, the P.S. Melbourne is now the only original Paddle Steamer left cruising daily on the river for passengers that is still driven by her original steam engine.

Source: Information on board of P.S. Melbourne