THE PADDLESTEAMER OSCAR 'W'

The PS OSCAR 'W' was built in Echuca, Victoria, in 1908, by the owner/builder Charlie
Wallin who named the boat after his son OSCAR.
The OSCAR 'W' is 103' 5" in length, has a beam of 20' 7" and a draught of 2'3" - 5'1" and
weighs 83 ton (gross), 59 ton (net).

The hull is a composite construction, steel topside's and 3" red gum below.
Powered by a 16 HP, wood burning, 2 cylinder Marshall steam engine.
The PS OSCAR 'W' operated the first few years of her life from the Port of Echuca
carrying freight along the Edward and Wakool Rivers and up the Murrumbidgee as far as
Balranald.

In 1914 Charlie Wallin sold the PS OSCAR 'W' to Permewan Wright and Co and for the
next 5 years carried wool for the Riverina wool trade.
In 1919 the PS OSCAR 'W' again changed hands, this time to Murray Shipping Ltd and
hauled wool and general cargo on the Darling River.
The PS OSCAR 'W' was also used as a supply and equipment vessel for the building of the
locks and Goolwa Barrages.

In 1942 the PS OSCAR 'W' was sold to George Ritchie of Goolwa and again in 1943 to
Perce Richards, R. Knox and Captain Tommy Goode, also of Goolwa, war restrictions
forced the sale again this time in 1943 to the S. A. Highways and Local Government
Department, the PS OSCAR 'W' was used for routine ferry maintenance work and based
at Morgan, she was well suited to this type of work due to the powerful steam plant on
board, in 1945 the Department decided to convert the OSCAR's boiler from wood to oil
burning, in 1959 the PS OSCAR 'W' was replaced by the Tug, 'Nalta Yuki'. which is still
operating.

In 1960 Captain Paddy Hogg purchased the PS OSCAR 'W' and took her to Mildura for
tourist day trips, in 1962 the PS OSCAR 'W' towed the PS GEM from Mildura to Swan
Hill on a falling River and was unable to return to her home Port, so she continued to
Echuca and remained there for 9 months.

In 1964 the PS OSCAR 'W' was sold to Allan Moritz of Murray Bridge, he restored the
PS OSCAR 'W' back to a wood burner, Allan died in 1984 and in 1985 the S.A.
Department of Tourism bought the PS OSCAR 'W'.

In 1987 repair work was carried out on the slip at Murray Bridge to make the hull
watertight, replacing some of the red gum planks, caulking and fitting new steel frame
works and on March 30th 1988 the paddlewheels turned once again after 10 years and the
PS OSCAR 'W' steamed down to Goolwa where work on the superstructure was
completed and on the 1st July 1988 the PS OSCAR 'W' was recommissioned.

In February 2001 the Alexandrina Council took over ownership of the PS OSCAR 'W'.
The PS OSCAR 'W' and Barge 'DART' take part and play an important role in the many historical re-enactments and community celebrations held along the River Murray.

In 1991 the PS OSCAR 'W' made the epic journey back to Echuca.
In 1992 the PS OSCAR 'W' towed the Barge 'DART' in a record breaking time of 4 days
and 23 hours non stop from Goolwa to Mildura.

In 2001 the PS OSCAR 'W' and Barge 'DART' took part in the Centenary of Federation
Celebrations from Goolwa to Mildura.

In 2003 the PS OSCAR 'W' celebrated the 150th Anniversary of Shipping by steaming to
Mildura with the replica of the PS MARY ANN and LADY AUGUSTA.
In may 2004 the PS OSCAR 'W' took part in the re-enactment of the 150th Anniversary
Celebrations of Australia's 1st Railway.

The Friends of the PS OSCAR 'W' are a dedicated group of multi-skilled volunteers, who
pay their own way on all trips, maintain and operate the PS OSCAR 'W' and Barge
'DART. carry out ongoing maintenance and restoration, keeping both vessels open to the
public during School holidays and each Sunday and the raising of much needed funds.

At present The Friends of the PS OSCAR 'W' are involved in the restoration of the hull
and topside's and working their way to have the PS OSCAR 'W' in Survey in the not too
distant future.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information please contact:-

The Friends of the PS OSCAR 'W'
PO Box 527 GOOLWA SA 5214

THE BARGE 'DART'

The Barge 'DART' was built in 1912 in Goolwa by D. A. Milne for the E & W.S. to assist
with lock building and other works along the River Murray. The 'DART" is 72' in length
and 17' breadth, with a composite hull - red gum bottom and iron topside's.
The Barge 'DART' has been repaired to accompany the PS OSCAR 'W' and has taken part
in may historic re-enactments and trips along the River Murray.
In 1999/2000 the 'DART' was transformed into a film set as the "Tingalla Rose" in the
children's TV series "Chuck Finn".
In 2000 the superstructure was added, in the form of "piles", as the 'DART' was used as a
pile driver in the past, to house a photographic display for the Centenary of Federation
Celebrations, in 2001 the 'DART' was towed behind the PS OSCAR 'W' to Mildura taking
part in the Source to Sea.