P.S. Gem

 

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[Vega (Barge)]
[1853 - 2003]

 

BRIEF FACTS

  • Built in 1876 as a wooden planked barge at Moama, New South Wales.

  • Launched 1876.

  • Dimension: L 28.7m X W 6.2m X H 2.0m.Weight: 101 tons net.

  • First trip to Hay towed by P.S. Pearl with 203.2 tonnes of cargo. Return trip with 1,038 bales of wool.

  • January 1877 became a Paddle Steamer - Steam engine fitted (40 h.p.) Built by Davey Brothers, Ballarat; paddlewheels and passenger facilities added making it into a general cargo/passenger boat. Owners: Elliot Randell and Alfred Randell.

  • August 1877: Maiden voyage from Echuca to Goolwa - 1,710 kms.

  • 1878:  P.S. Gem sold by the Randells to Mr. E.B. Sabine. P.S. Gem left Echuca permanently for South Australia. Operated between Morgan and Blanchetown.

  • 1879: P.S. Gem operated between Morgan and Wentworth.

  • April 1879: P.S. Gem operated from between Wentworth and Wilcannia.

  • Owners: W. L. & H. Reid.

  • Captain: Hugh King.

  • 1880: P.S. Gem operated from Morgan.

  • 1880 (August): Race with the P.S.Trafalgar. 482.8km from Wentworth to Morgan for a 100 pound bet. The P.S.Trafalgar won.

  • 1880 (October): A second race between P.S.Trafalgar and the P.S.Gem from Lake Victoria Station to Wentworth. The P.S.Gem won by 15 minutes.

  • 1882/3: P.S. Gem was lengthened - cut in half at Goolwa -  40' (12.2m) middle accommodation section added.

  • Dimension now: L 40.7m X W 6.2m X H 2.0m.

  • 1882: June 22nd re-launched - "most commodious boat on the river". Dimensions: L 40m X W 6.8m X D 1.95m.

  • 1892: new engine installed. Built by Chaffey Brothers Engineering. Designed by P. McLaren.

  • 1897 - 1927: Captained by Jim Nutchey.

  • 1910: The P.S.Gem snagged and holed at Snaggy Point, Wentworth. Over 4' (1.219m) under water. Hole plugged and re-floated.

  • 1939: Totally refurbished for tourist trade. Became known as "Queen of the Murray" due to her elegant fittings.

  • 1948: Snagged not far away from previous sinking. Re-floated after two months (Higgins cutting near Cal Cal, New South Wales.

  • 1952: Last commercial trip.

  • 1954: Last trip - Morgan to Mildura. Last time she operated under her own steam.

  • 1962: Sold to Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement to become the major attraction. Victorian Government bought her for 2,000 Pounds to start of Australia's first outdoor museum. Towed to Swan Hill from Mildura by the P.S.Oscar W Captained by Paddy Hogg. The journey took six months. It was delayed at the "Bitch and Pups" near Goodnight N.S.W  due to low river level.

  • 1962: P.S. Gem became a static museum and entrance to the Pioneer Settlement. It also contained the Swan Hill Art Gallery and a restaurant.

  • 1998: P.S. Gem placed on the Victoria Heritage register.

  • 2003 + : Under Restoration at Pioneer Settlement, Swan Hill.

 

INTERESTING FACTS

SPEED

Going Upstream: 14km per hour

Going Downstream: 20km per hour

FEATURES

Three decks, 52 Passengers and 17 Crew.

CREW

The Crew was made up of a Captain, a Mate, an Engineer, a Fireman, a Cook, a Cook's Assistant, Two Stewardesses and Six Deck Hands.

 

CHRONOLOGY OF OWNERS

  • 1876:        E.C. Randell. Reg. Melbourne

  • 1878/9:     E.P. Sabine. Reg. Adelaide

  • 1880:        W.L. Reid and partners.

  • 1888:        Hugh King and George Chaffey.

  • 1888:        River Murray Navigation Company and Hugh King.

  • 1889:        River Murray Navigation Company.

  • 1910:        Benjamin Chaffey and Landseer.

  • 1915:        Gem Navigation Company.

  • 1919:        Murray Shipping Limited.

  • 1953:        W.B. Price

  • 1953:        A.H. Wilkins.

  • 1962:        Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement.  

 

CHRONOLOGY OF CAPTAINS

1876 E.C. Randell

1877 A.E. Randell

1878 R.G. Lewen

1879 H. King

1883 W. Porter

1883 H. King

1891 J. Tait

1892 H. King

1907 J. Nutchey

1916 R.H. Smith

1917 H. McLean

1918 V. Byrne

1924 G. Alexander

1925 O. Searles

1931 C. Payne

1935 W. drage

1936 H. Payne

1939 C. Payne

1945 W. Gobbett

1946 H.H. Hogg

1947 E.R. Randell

1948 G. Makin

1951 E. Orchard

 

 

                                           

                            Before Lengthening                                            After Lengthening

P.S. Gem under restoration - 08.08.2003

P.S. Gem under restoration - 10.11.2005

On the 10th of November, the Grade Five Library Extension Group went on an excursion to the Pioneer Settlement. We have been researching the Gem for our web page and wanted to find out about its current restoration. We got to go on the P.S. Gem with a man called Mark. Mark showed us the three decks. It was great to go on the top deck. Mark told us a bit about the history, dimensions and current work on the Gem.

Model of Gem made by the 2005 Level Five Library Extension Group.

Entered into the 2005 Swan Hill Show - Won First prize.