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.

 P.S. William Randell was the result of a trip from Goolwa to Echuca and return in the P.S. Oscar W in 1991. Jock Veenstra was the skipper and took the opportunity to steam in as many tributaries as possible.
It is amazing how many schemes can be hatched up in the wheelhouse of an historical paddle steamer over a couple of months and 2000 miles at 7mph., especially when Jock is the skipper.

Well! one of those schemes was for me  to build a paddle steamer in the traditional style.

Imagine how the enthusiasm was heightened when we arrived in Echuca and observed such recently constructed paddle steamers as the James Maiden and saw the Alexander Arbuthnot being restored. Then the climax;- the seven horse power Ruston Hornsby engine and boiler was located at Todd Watson’s machinery yard.

By the time we reached Barham on the return voyage to Goolwa, I just had to visit the local newsagent for paper and drawing equipment to start planning the P.S.William Randell.

By November we were able to collect the engine from Echuca, and what a fine garden ornament it made, (my wife was expecting a small engine which could be concealed in the car port)  until we were able to secure a certificated welder to make the necessary repairs, then an ultrasound was carried out (it was a boy!) before new tubes were fitted. Oh! We must not forget the manufacture of the Stephenson link so that we could run the boat astern. The timber for the hull was sourced from various places, the Grey Box coming from the sealing logs of the Goolwa Barrage lock.

Eventually the great day arrived and a commissioning was carried out by Mrs. Barbara Rymill, grand daughter of William Richard Randell, first steam navigator of the Murray Darling system (1853).

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. In relation to these traumas 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.