Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Saturday 18 July 1953, page 8


Old Steamers On The Murray.

OUR article about the Murray Mouth on July 4 has brought us an interest-ing letter from Ross Wake-

ford, of Goolwa. He gives a detailed account of the life of Captain Francis Cadell, who ran the first steamer on the Murray, the Lady Augus-ta, in 1853. Unfortunately, we have not space to print Ross's letter in full, but he continues the story of Cadell and says :— " In 1856 the ships Albury and Gundagai in pieces, were brought from Scotland to Port Elliot and then carted to Goolwa on the horse tram. They were both of 40 h.p., 120 ft. long, 6½ ft. deep and 16 ft. beam. Each could turn in its own length. Cadell was also interested in the ship Melbourne which ran from Port Adelaide to Port Elliot and then through the mouth to Goolwa. " The wrecking of several ships ruined navigation on the Murray and Cadell left the river. In 1867 he was surveying in the Northern Territory. He left there for the Kei Islands but was never seen again. It is be-lieved that he was mur-dered. " Ross's information comes just when a new vessel, the Diesel-powered paddle-boat Wanera is about to make her maiden voyage on the Mur-ray. =========================