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Paddle Steamer Trade Between Ipswich And Brisbane On The Bremer River.

The Experiment From the first trial run of the P.S. Experiment (JOL Neg,No.7348) on June 24, 1846, until the extension of the railway from Ipswich to Brisbane was completed in 1875 the Bremer River was the Steam Ship expressway between Ipswich and Brisbane.

So busy was river trade in those early years to the inland 'Port of Ipswich' that a Custom House was established and an Immigration Centre was built to handle the large volume of immigrants and imported goods arriving in Ipswich from overseas. Ipswich was the head of navigation for large vessels, they could go no further than the town reach and wharves and warehouses lined the banks of the Bremer River.

Other common names of vessels that plied the river in those days included the: Kate (below) and the:

The Kate

Experiment (above right) (JOL Neg,No.7348)
Mary Ann
Raven
Hawk
Bremer
Ann
Model
Swallow
Kate (right) (JOL Neg.No.112221)
Breadalbane
Ipswich (top right) (JOL Neg.No.22245)
Emu (top left) (JOL Neg.No.18880)
Brisbane
Premier
Samson
Settler
Redbank

Shipping companies that were common names those days were:

SN - Steam Navigation Company
HRN - Hunter River Navigation Company
QSN - Queensland Steam Navigation Company
ASN - Australian Steam Navigation Company

The following is an extract from the 'Final Guage: the history of Ipswich Railway Workshops'

"Construction materials ordered from Britain arrived in Brisbane by ship, then were loaded onto paddle steamers and taken up to Ipswich via the Brisbane and Bremer Rivers. The very first length of railway in Queensland was laid from the workshops to the wharf, and construction materials were hauled up the river bank in a wagon pulled by horses".

The following are extracts out of the 'Romance of The Bremer':

1860 April 17 Tuesday (North Australian) Launch of Steamer "Ipswich"

On monday 9th instant, the vessel built for the trade between Brisbane and Ipswich which was launched at the yard of Mr. Cutbert in Sydney. She is constructed on the diagonal principle, of kauri pine planking two thicknesses, seven-eights inch each, outside of which is 1.5 inch planks running longitudinally. She is 151 feet long, 18 feet beam an 5 feet deep; will be steered by a wheel on the bridge, and a rudder at each end to avoid the necessity of turning. Her cabins on deck. Her engines of 60 hp. Will draw about 3 feet. She is expected to make the runs between Ipswich and Brisbane twice a day.

1864, June 18 (North Australian) Wharf Construction on the North Side of Bremer River

The wharf now in the course of construction on the Northern side of the river and opposite East Street, is intended for the landing of the heavy material and plant for the southern and Western Railway, now on its way to Brisbane. The contractor is Mr. Hargreaves, of Nicholas Street, and the works are being pushed forward with all dispatch. The piles used in the construction are twenty feet in length, the points of each being covered with iron shield of twenty pounds weight: taking from the time of its receiving the first blow of the monkey, which by the bye, weights a ton, seven hours' consecutive driving before it reaches the requisite depth.
From this stage a tramway will run to the railway on the brow of the hill, for the purpose of conveying material, such as may be required in the construction of the permanent-way, and that may arrive for transit to the interior, on the completion of the line.

1864, August 6 Saturday (North Australian)

The Ipswich, Steamer, on her down trip on Thursday last, met with an accident which will prevent her making her usual runs to Ipswich for a short time. The accident occurred in the Bremer, at a portion of the river called "the neck of the basin," where workmen are at present employed in blasting the rocks to facilitate navigation. it appears that while the steamer was passing the place alluded to she came into violent collision with a large fragment of stone, deposited in the channel by a blast. The result was, that a large dent was made in her bottom, causing her to fill quickly, that the captain was compelled to run the vessel on a sand bank to prevent her sinking. Carpenters have been sent up, and have succeeded in stopping the leak.

1865 February 28 Tuesday (Brisbane Courier) For Sale

The iron built, round stern, clipper bow, paddle wheel steamer KATE fitted with masts. sails, cables, anchors and all other requisites complete 60 horse power nominal engines. marine condensing, on half beam or side-lever principle, 150 tons, new register: Length 145 feet: Beam, 21 feet: Depth, 7 feet: Draught of water vessel and machinery say 150 tons, 2 feet 6 inches - with 30 tons cargo. 3 feet and with 120 tons of cargo, 4 feet, has fore and aft passenger accommodation and cargo space, towing gear, and all latest improvements in machinery and otherwise.

The above vessel was built under special survey and is classed A1 at Lloyd's for six years. She was constructed expressly for trading between Ipswich, Brisbane and Bay, and is well suited for towing purposes or coasting voyages. having left London on 26th, September, 1864, she may be now daily expected to arrive. Specifications and plans & c. can be viewed at the office of the undersigned where also further particulars may be ascertained........... J&G. Harris

1865 July 28 Friday (Brisbane Courier) Opening of the Southern & Western Railway

The Steamer Kate will leave the wharf of the undersigned on Monday, July 31st, at 5.30 a.m. Every convenience on the wharf for the shipment of horses, carriages & c. return saloon tickets. Twelve Shillings each available until Thursday 3rd. August............... J&G. Harris

1865 August 7 Monday (The Courier) Launch of the Emu

On Saturday morning (5th.), a number of ladies and gentlemen assembled at Kangaroo Point to witness the launch of the Q.S.N. Co.'s river steamer Emu. In order to meet the tide the four fixed was rather early, 9 o'clock , and doubtless this prevented a larger attendance of spectators. All the morning the workmen had been engaged in removing wedges and shores, and punctually at the hour appointed everything was declared to be ready. Miss Raff, daughter of the chairman of the company, took her station at the bows, and the instant the vessel commenced moving broke the bottle of champagne, suspended by a blue ribbon, on the stem, and named her the Emu: The steamer steadily and majestically glided into the glittering waters of the Brisbane River, and being carried forward by her own momentum, swung round till she lay parallel with the river bank:

The launch was most successful, and the whole arrangements reflect great credit on Mr: J. Sinclair, the superintending engineer, and those under him. Not a bolt nor rivet was started in the launching; and when afloat there was much less leakage than is usually the case. This fact speaks well for the workmanship bestowed her by the contractor, Mr. Hellinger.

The Emu is an iron vessel, and is the largest river steamer on the Brisbane . She was designed especially for the passenger trade between Brisbane and Ipswich by the late Mr. G. Patullo, the then engineer for the Q.S.N. Co. In her construction due regard has been shown to the requirements of the traffic for which she is intended - speed, light draught of water, and convenience; and as far as present appearances go, all these qualities seem to have been combined in the highest degree.

Evidently her design has been taken from the A.S.N. Co's steamer Ipswich , but many improvements have been made on the model. Like the Ipswich , she is flat bottomed double-headed boat, and will steer from either end. Her length is 170 feet overall; and the beam inside the paddle-boxes 22 feet. Outside the sponsons which are continued fore and aft nearly the whole length of the vessel, she measures 41 feet. The depth of hold is .6 feet 6 inches. This may appear overmuch, but if has the advantage of affording space for refreshment saloons beneath the deck houses. There are two of these, one at each end. The after one is 27 feet by 20 feet, and that forward 16 feet by 20 feet: They will be lighted by side ports and fitted up in an appropriate manner, after the style of the Clyde river steamers.

The main saloon is on deck, and will be a very handsome apartment, 26 feet by 21 feet 21 feet 6 inches. The ladies' cabin will be a commodious room, 10 feet by 16 feet, and fitted with every convenience. The second saloon is to be 18 feet by 20 feet, and the separate apartment for females 9 feet by 17 feet. The cabins will be tastefully decorated; and we have no hesitation in saying that in this respect she will far exceed any other vessel on the river. The roof of the deck houses will form a hurricane deck, affording an agreeable promenade 120 feet in length and 21 feet wide. It will be protected by rails, and fitted with awnings and moveable seats. Nor has the comfort of the ship's company been neglected. The captain, engineer, and other officers have cabins in the side houses, and the crew have berths below in the forecastle.

Having described those portions of the vessel in which passengers are most interested, we come to the means of propulsion. These are a pair of diagonal direct-acting condensing engines, of 70 horse-power nominal, but capable of working up to 200. The cylinders are 31 inches in diameter, and the stroke is 4 feet. Steam is supplied from a vertical, sometimes call a "hay-stack" - boiler, with large furnaces suitable for burning Queensland coal. She will also have a folding funnel which will enable her to pass under the bridge at all states of the tide. The vessel is now lying at Kangaroo Point, abreast of the Q.S.N. Company's Wharf. Her machinery will be placed into her forthwith, and it is expected that she will be ready for her trial trip in about five or six weeks.

1866 February (Triumph of Narrow Guage A History of Queensland Railways)
Freight traffic grew steadily, and export produce and goods going up country used the short North Ipswich wharf branch. Tranport between Brisbane and Ipswich was provided by small river steamers.

The above photos of the P.S. Emu in Ipswich and the P.S. Ipswich undergoing maintenance are from the John Oxley Library

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