Eighty-one years after its last voyage, the historic paddle steamer PS Canally has made a trip down the Murray River.
Key points:
- Volunteers in Morgan spent 12 years restoring the vessel to her former glory
- The Canally sunk in Victoria after being left to rot following years of important service
- More work needs to be done, but passengers may soon be able to ride the historic steamer
Steamers played a huge role in the development and function of river towns, but the Canally could have been lost in the history books if it was not for a group of hardworking volunteers.
Today the vessel headed from Morgan to Mannum before getting some more important works completed, including having its hull recaulked its interior timber framework replaced.
The trip down the Murray was a perfect opportunity to show off the restoration to eager spectators.
Skipper Jim Maywald was at the wheel as the vessel steamed down the river.
"It's a pretty historic day," he said.
"The volunteers have done an amazing job over the last 12 years in Morgan."
Saved from the depths
Mid Murray councillor Kevin Myers has been heavily involved in the restoration.
He said when the Canally first arrived in Morgan she was in a "sad" condition.
"In 1941 her engines and other operating gear was taken out," Mr Myers said.
"Then it became a barge again and then it became derelict."
The vessel was used to trade dried fruits between Berri and Morgan before being put to work on the construction of the lock and weir system on the Murray in the early 1920s.
After changing hands and locations in the following years, the once-crucial vessel was left at a mooring at Boundary Bend in Victoria and eventually sank.
The Rivers and Riverboat Historical and Preservation Society raised the Canally from the deep water in 1998 and swiftly began restoration of the hull.
In 2010 the Mid Murray Council took ownership of the boat and in 2011 she settled in her new home at the Port of Morgan.
The volunteers worked tirelessly over the past 12 years restoring the steamer to her former glory.
"We're actually over the moon with her performance," Mr Myers said after a test run last week.
"It was like having a new heartbeat with the engine ticking over."
All aboard
Mr Myers said it was important to save the Canally in order to honour its importance in the '20s and '30s.
While the finishing touches are yet to be completed, community members and tourists may soon get the chance to experience the restored PS Canally up close.
"Hopefully within the next six to 12 months we'll get it totally surveyed to carry passengers," Mr Meyers said.
"All the people that have been waiting — then they can all have a ride."