PS Adelaide is the oldest wooden paddle steamer in the world

P.S. Adelaide was built in 1866 and when enrolled with Customs, Sydney, it was stated to be built by G. Linklater, although a descendant of John Webb, An English master shipwright and marine surveyor, holds evidence that he built the vessel. Possibly G. Linklater employed John Webb, who it is believed built the first paddle steamer constructed at Echuca. Which was the snagging vessel Grappler built for the South Australian government under the direction of Francis Cadell.

Originally the Adelaide measured 142 gross and 114 net tons on dimensions of  75.9'xl7.0' x 5.0' and according to the contemporary  press had accommodation  'similar  to the Lady Darling'  but this was later removed in 1879 and the tonnage figures were now 105 gross and 77 net. She did carry passengers for a few years although she was mainly intended, by her first owners, Messrs. J.C. Grassie (of Poon Boon Station) and S. & H. Officer (of Murray Downs Station) to take their wool to market and bring back supplies to their properties.

After these alterations she began a long career towing log barges for the top end saw mills.

Then in 1958 she was sold to South Australia, when sold to Paringa (near Renmark S.A.) , she made the trip from Echuca under her own steam and was the first boat to perform the trip in many years and her skipper for the voyage, Ron Treacy, reported that he had a nasty experience at Nyah. He had been warned of a new bridge there but advised that it was downstream of Nyah whereas about midnight, out of the gloom on the up stream side the bridge appeared. Only prompt action with the wheel avoided a collision. She was towing two barges loaded with logs on that trip.

In 1959 P.S. Adelaide was sold to Mr A Rowe of Paringa who planed to convert her  to a stern wheeled motor barge. Thankfully this never happened.

In 1960 she was again sold. This time to the Apex Club and the local historical society of Echuca (helped by a grant from the Victorian Government). She was steamed back to Echuca under the command of Captain Norm Coliins. Then in November 1963 she was placed ashore in Hopwood Gardens as a static exhibit.

Restoration of P.S. Adelaide began in 1980 in 1985 and was almost completely rebuilt and is now a steaming exhibit of the Port of Echuca. She was recommissioned by H.R.H Prince Charles and H.R.H (the late) Princess Diana.

Once again she is plying the Murray as she has now done for well over a century.