ADELAIDE

Shipbuildervessel built by Hall, Russell & Company, Limited (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1864 - 1992)

Date1877

Object NamePADDLE TUG

MediumIRON

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 141 1/3' x breadth 22 1/3' x depth 10 3/6'
Gross Tonnage: 255 ton

Object numberABDSHIP001848

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: Hall, Russell & Co.
Yard Number: 205
Official Number: 70459

Fate: unknown, hulked 1907

Propulsion: Steam
Description: Paddle tug, 1 deck, 3 masts, baquentine rigged, round stern, clench built.

Owners:
1877: Registered at Aberdeen, subscribing owner;
Kenny Skelton, shipowner, 8 Navarino Road, Hackney, London, 64 shares.
(Source: Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))
1880: Adelaide Steam Tug Co., registered at Adelaide.

Masters:
1877-88: Master R. Wilson
1894-98: Master J. Craigie.
1901-07: Master J. Medland

General History:
17/09/1877:
ADELAIDE arrived some time ago under sail & after dismantling and refitting she was ready for her trial trip 15 Sept. She was built from plans and furnished in the colony. According to writer more powerful than her predecessor, but without her symmetry. Being adapted for more than towage, she has a fine oven deck, a very good after cabin and fore cabin, with fore and aft cargo holds. Cabin furnished with centre tables and settees, with dining accommodation for 30 plus ceiling picked out with gold mouldings. In fore end is ladies cabin, master's berth and steward's pantry. From towing horse aft it quite clear except for 2 portable towing bridges. Midship compartment is entirely devoted to engines and boilers. Machinery is of most modern mode and described as especially suited to river and towing work. When novelty of compound-surface condensers is worn away these will be as easily worked as the older type. Paddles are of feathering type. High pressure cylinder is of 26" diameter and 2 low pressure cylinders 32", with 4'6" stroke.
(South Australian Register (Adelaide))

15/06/1929:
About 40 years ago there were 3 steam paddle tugs in port Adelaide. When they were displaced by more modern tugs, ADELAIDE was turned into a hulk.
(Adelaide Observer)

15/11/1930:
For some years old paddle-wheel steamer ADELAIDE was this port's principal tug. The engines were described by those in authority as the most weird and wonderful collection of machinery seen on Australian coast and chief engineer Butler was believed to be the only man in the world who could understand them. ADELAIDE'S skipper, Captain Medland was a most zealous officer, but apt to get rattled at times. In addition to her towage duties, ADELAIDE was the most comfortable passenger steamer of her kind, which ran excursions frequently to Port Augusta and Port Germein.
Port Pirie Recorder

Note: 3 inverted beam compound surface condensing engines made by Hall Russell & Co., Aberdeen. Cylinders 1 26" and 2 32", length of stroke 54", 99 h.p.