EDINA
1854-1938
323 gross tons, 239 net. Lbd: 171' x 23'6" x 12'7". Iron steamship, built by Barclay, Curle & Co, Glasgow, for the Leith, Hull & Hamburg Steam Packet Co, Leith. Held 2 cylinder engine = 60hp. 1880 tonnage increased to 380 gross, 223 net. 1882 new engine and boiler, engine being compounded = 85hp. Registered Melbourne March 1863 for S G Henty. October 1863 owned by S & E Henty. March 1868 owned by Warrnambool Steam Packet Co, registered at Warrnambool. She ran the Victorian coastal ports of Warrnambool and Portland to Melbourne. Became better known in the bay trade when, in June 1875 purchased by W H Smith & Partners under the banner of the Melbourne Steam Ship Co, registered Melbourne. Of W Howard Smith & Sons Ltd as at October 1883. Of Howard Smith Ltd July 1901. Of Australia Steamships Ltd December 1913. Since 1875 serviced the Melbourne - Geelong passenger trade up to 1937, gaining enormous popularity owing to her longevity. In 1899, she rammed and sank her rival, the Excelsior, in Hobsons Bay, Port Phillip. which was raised seven months later. At her concept mid 1850's, she was chartered by the British Admiralty for service in the Crimean War. When she arrived at Melbourne on March 7th, 1863 she did so under sail only and, worked the western ports of Victoria to Melbourne. Also underwent a few voyages across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand mid 1860's during the height of their 'goldrush' era. Melbourne Steam Ship Company despatched her to Queensland in 1875, (carrying 80 passengers in 2 classes) working her from Sydney to Brisbane and later extending her itinerary further north as far as Maryborough. Under W H Smith's ownership in 1883 she was re-engined and some superficial alterations also made. 1938 sold to The Victorian Lighterage Co., Melbourne, converted into a lighter and renamed Dina. Broken up in Melbourne 1957
Upper left image in her original rig and soon to be published here as a postcard etc Upper right image as a watercolour by AC Green, Melbourne now available as a modern 6x4 inch postcard and larger print. Click photo for details lower left image aerial at Portarlington available for purchase lower right image - her final voyage courtesy State Library of Victoria
|
|