Wave PS

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History

The PS Wave was built at Echuca in 1886 and originally operated between Bourke and Brewarrina on the Darling River. Later, the vessel was used to carry wood fuel to the Bourke pumping station.

The vessel stranded on the west back of the river during a flood in 1921 and never made it back into the river. The owner, Lloyd Surrey, made the stranded vessel his home and lived there for many years. Apparently the number of children and animals present at this time earned the vessel the nickname 'Noah's Ark'!

(Based on R Parsons, 'Ships of the Inland Rivers' and information from Barbara Hickson, Heritage Advisor)

photo: Paddle steamer wreck
Paddle steamer wreck
photo: Remains of the Wave
Remains of the Wave

Database

Site information

Site ID:

130

Type:

Steamer paddle

Construction:

Composite

Primary industry:

Transport

Sub-industry:

Gross tonnage:

Net tonnage:

Length (mtrs):

13.12

Beam (mtrs):

3.05

Draft (mtrs):

1.37

Cargo:

Engine:

Portable, (semi) 6hp

Country built:

AUSTRALIA

State built:

Victoria

Port built:

Murray River, Echuca

builder:

Port registered:

When built:

1886

Registration number:

Official number:

Sources:

Parsons, R 'Ships of the Inland Rivers'

Comments:

After the stranding, the owner lived on the vessel for another 5 years. It became known as 'Noah's Ark'. No primary source data located to date.

Lost event

When lost:

1921//

Where lost:

Darling River, Bourke, on river bank

Wrecked/Refloated:

Wrecked

Sinking:

Stranded in floods

From port:

To port:

Master:

Owner:

Lloyd Surrey

Crew:

Passengers:

Crew deaths:

Passenger deaths:

Total deaths:

Location

Maximum latitude:

-30.08307

Minimum latitude:

-30.08307

Maximum longitude:

145.94306

Minimum longitude:

-30.08307

Datum used:

WGS84

Datum	Latitude	Longitude	Zone	Easting	Northing
AGD66	-30.08307467647870	145.94306000000000	55	398142.33104743300000	6671526.75588737000000
AGD84	-30.08307467647870	145.94306000000000	55	398142.33104743300000	6671526.75588737000000
GDA94	-30.08307002809360	145.94306000000000	55	398142.69566291300000	6671538.80184976000000
WGS84	-30.08307002727460	145.94306000000000	55	398142.69566249400000	6671538.80184500000000

Management

Found:

Yes

Inspected:

Yes

Protected:

NSW Heritage Act 1977

Jurisdiction:

State

Protection notes:

Signage:

Within 'Maritime Port of Bourke' park.

Web address:

Links

Maritime Port of Bourke Heritage Area

The wreck site is included in the Maritime Port of Bourke Heritage Area and is accompanied by an interpretative sign.

There are currently no links associated with this site.