COONAWARRA

[aukepalmhof]

She was built in 1894 as a steel and wooden hulled barge at Echuca, Victoria, Australia under the name J.L.ROBERTS.
Built for Permewan, Wright & Co. Ltd.
Tonnage 169 gross, dim. 110.6 x 18.5 x 7.8 ft.

1919 As owners given the Murray Shipping Ltd.
Her early life is obscure, but a photo in a book I have gives her as a flat barge fully loaded with bales of wool.
She was found laying idle on the riverbank at Echuca.
She was obtained when MURRUMBIDGEE got on fire and was lost on 29 November 1948.
In 1950 the J.L.ROBERTS was rebuilt by Chas Felshaw assisted by Capt. H.Hogg and a maritime architect, some parts were used from other old famous not more used paddlesteamers like the girders, shafting and paddleboxens from the burnt out MURRUMBIDGEE, the large six foot steering wheel from the MURRABIT, the paddlewheels from the EXCELSIOR.
She has the same hull and basic appearance, as when she was a barge. She has now three decks and can carry 42 passengers, later reduced to 36.
Tonnage 348 gross, 255 net., dim. 111.5 x 22.3 x 8.5ft.
Her paddlewheels are powered by two 6 cyl. Gardner diesels.
Commissioned on 9 October 1950 under the name COONAWARRA, the aboriginal name for Black Swan, the name was selected from 10.000 contest entries. She was then owned by the Murray Valley Coaches Ltd. and registered at Melbourne. Used in the 5 day river Murray cruises from Echuca to Mildura but frequent low water precluded a regular program.
29 October 1953 Transferred to Murray Bridge and began conducting cruises to Morgan.
November 1959 she was snagged and sunk, refloated and repaired.
May 1981 sold to Coonawarra Cruises Pty. Ltd. and returned to Mildura.
March 1970 Sold to Poinco Pyt. Ltd.
Over the recent years she has undergone a series of updating renovations, she is now complete air-conditioned.
Today used in 3 day, 5 day and weekend cruises from Mildura and Wentworth.

Gambia 1992 10d sg1337, scott1260.

Source Ships of the Inland Rivers by Ronald Parsons. Watercraft Philately Vol. 41 page 10.
http://www.cruiseaway.com.au/cruiseline ... warra.html

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In May 2002 Australia issued three International Post branding stamps of which the 50c depict a paddle steamer which is given by the Australian Post as the paddle steamer COONAWARRA.

The Australia stamp bulletin of April 2002 has the following:

The new stamps continue the original theme with images that emphasise Australia’s panoramic landscapes and promote Australia’s natural beauty.

Of the 50c is given: Walker Flat Murray River, South Australia.
Walker Flat is situated on the Murray River approximately midway between Mannum and Swan Reach. The Murray River flows 650 km through South Australia and provides domestic water to Adelaide and many country towns. The photograph features the paddleboat COONAWARRA which took part in the first official paddle steamer race held in South Australia in the 20th century.

Paddle steamers have plied the full length of the Murray for over a hundred years, carrying a range of goods including wool and wheat. It was at the Noa-No landing, only minutes from Mannum, that William Randell launched his paddle steamer MARY ANN in 1853, the first paddle steamer on the Murray River in South Australia.
Increasingly the river is a tourist attraction and is home to abundant wildlife, historic towns, rich vineyards and orchards.

Australia 2002 50c sg?, scott