Visit the Paddlesteamers at the 2009 Festival
P.S. OSCAR W - CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF RIVER MURRAY TRADING
1908 - 2008
www.oscar-w.info
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).
Step aboard at the Festival and visit the Friends of the PS OSCAR 'W' who are a dedicated group of multi-skilled volunteers, who maintain and operate the PS OSCAR 'W. They 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.
The official ceremony at Goolwa wharf on Sunday 5th October proved to be very successful for the Oscar W in conjunction with Goolwa Alive celebrations. The Paddlesteamer was recommissioned and many dignitaries arrived by the Steam Ranger/Cockle train to take part in this special event. Historic Goolwa is the only place in the southern hemisphere where you can arrive by steam train and board a steam boat experience which we believe that the local community is very proud of. The beautiful weather ensured several thousand people were there to see the restored Oscar W gleaming at the historic wharf.
All trips into the Port were fully booked out and passengers were very excited about the experience. Many comments and well wishes to the volunteers and the Oscar W for a sound future. The official start of regular Sunday cruising will commence on 23rd November 2008 and the Captain & crew look forward to welcoming visitors on board. Bookings are available at the Goolwa Visitor Information Centre Ph: 1300 466 592 or for more information go to www.oscar-w.info.
P.S. WILLIAM RANDELL …
William Randell is a sixty two foot wooden side wheel paddle steamer built of two inch thick grey box timber on three inch by three eighths angle iron frames and four inch red gum floors. She has one and a quarter inch Kapur decking and is powered by a 1923 single cylinder Ruston Hornsby seven horsepower steam plant with a Tangye duplex steam feed pump as well as an auto positive injector and an inbuilt feed pump. The drive to the paddle wheels is by two inch pitch roller chain with 4.6 to 1 reduction.
Since the commissioning in 1993 W.R has travelled thousands of river miles and had many adventures including a snagging and part sinking at Buxton’s Bend, a broken paddle wheel at Wakool Junction and a broken crankshaft a few miles above lock eight.
I would acknowledge the wonderful network and camaraderie of supportive people along our great river.
I would also acknowledge the many blissful hours at the wheel of the William Randell and the many days, nights and peaceful mornings steaming along and enjoying the river.
Roly Bartlett (owner/builder/problem solver and survivor)
