Whatever Floats Your Boat

[Guest]

Paddle steamers on the Murray at Mildura's Spring Festival brings back memories of happy days.

1.
E-520 + 50-200mm

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E-520

3.
E-PL3

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E-PL3

[Zuiko]

Re: Whatever Floats Your Boat

Those paddle steamers look impossibly top heavy, but I guess that the wide paddles give them stability. It's a nice relaxing way to enjoy the river and I'm sure you have many happy memories. I bet they all serve cold beers.

[PeterBirder]

Re: Whatever Floats Your Boat

Great shots of happy days Mark.

Unfortunately they remind me of a rather frightening day in my youth.

I was on a school holiday in the New Forest in the 1950's and we took a day trip to the Isle of Wight using the ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth. In those days the ferry was a paddle steamer of the same style as the one in your photos but on a somewhat larger scale. Halfway across the captain announced on the Tannoy that if you looked to starboard you would see the RMS Queen Mary passing The Needles. Unfortunately this caused all the passengers to rush to starboard. These ships had a relatively shallow draft and the result was that the ship developed a severe list to starboard which in turn caused the port paddle to lift clear of the water and we proceeded to sail in a circle to port completely out of control of the helmsman. This resulted in an hysterical Tannoy call for half the passenger to return portside and the crew rushing about like sheepdogs shepherding the passengers back.

The day is burnt indelibly in my memory (although these days I have difficulty remembering what happened half an hour ago ).

Thanks, (I think ) for the memory.

Regards.

[Guest]

Re: Whatever Floats Your Boat

Those paddle steamers look impossibly top heavy, but I guess that the wide paddles give them stability. It's a nice relaxing way to enjoy the river and I'm sure you have many happy memories. I bet they all serve cold beers.

Great shots of happy days Mark.

Unfortunately they remind me of a rather frightening day in my youth.
I was on a school holiday in the New Forest in the 1950's and we took a day trip to the Isle of Wight using the ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth. In those days the ferry was a paddle steamer of the same style as the one in your photos but on a somewhat larger scale. Halfway across the captain announced on the Tannoy that if you looked to starboard you would see the RMS Queen Mary passing The Needles. Unfortunately this caused all the passengers to rush to starboard. These ships had a relatively shallow draft and the result was that the ship developed a severe list to starboard which in turn caused the port paddle to lift clear of the water and we proceeded to sail in a circle to port completely out of control of the helmsman. This resulted in an hysterical Tannoy call for half the passenger to return portside and the crew rushing about like sheepdogs shepherding the passengers back.
The day is burnt indelibly in my memory (although these days I have difficulty remembering what happened half an hour ago ).
Thanks, (I think ) for the memory. Regards.

Thanks Peter, that must have been a frightening episode aboard the Isle of white Ferry. There has been no similar incident on the Murray that I've heard of. I remember Lymington 25 years ago but never made it to Isle of Wight. But more recently in 2010, Sandra did, so I'm sure she must have crossed by ferry.

[mstphoto]

Re: Whatever Floats Your Boat

Amazing looking steamers Mark
Looks like a great day out

Mike

[OM USer]

Re: Whatever Floats Your Boat

I once did a trip along the Thames in the SS Waverly (sea going paddle steamer based in Glasgow). These ships are a very dignified way to travel.

[Guest]

Re: Whatever Floats Your Boat

Amazing looking steamers Mark
Looks like a great day out - Mike

A hundred years ago on the Murray River they were in their hey day, Mike

I once did a trip along the Thames in the SS Waverly (sea going paddle steamer based in Glasgow). These ships are a very dignified way to travel.

Nowadays they are great tourist attraction on the Murray River at Mildura and Echuca especially.

[Beagletorque]

Re: Whatever Floats Your Boat

Great shots Mark, are those thing really wooden?

[Guest]

Re: Whatever Floats Your Boat

Great shots Mark, are those thing really wooden?

All but the diesel powered engine and nuts and bolts, Andrew. The hulls are made of rot proof river red gum planks.