The PS ‘Golden Crown’ was a wooden paddle steamer, built by Messrs. Duffy & Ross, in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1870.
” . . . The vessel was built in Auckland, in 1870, of native woods, by Messrs. Duffy and Ross, for the Thames trade. The engines were made by Messrs. Thomson and Co., of Glasgow. They are 140 horse-power nominal, and are capable of being worked up to 400 horse-power. The two oscillating cylinders are 45½ inches in diameter, and when under 38 lb. of steam drive the boat at the rate of fourteen knots per hour . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘Age’ (Melbourne) – Article “The Golden Crown” – published 19 Dec 1874
The paddle steamer PS ‘Golden Crown’ completed her trial trip on Port Phillip Bay on the 18th December 1874:
” . . . A trial trip was made yesterday by the Golden Crown, a paddle steamer, lately imported from New Zealand by the Sorrento and Queenscliff Steam Navigation Company . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘Age’ (Melbourne) – Article “The Golden Crown” – published 19 Dec 1874
Paddle Steamer – PS ‘Golden Crown’
Net Tonnage: 208
Length: 210 ft (64 m)
Beam: 22 ft (6.71 m)
Paddles: 23 ft (7.01 m) diameter
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Timeline:
1870 → the PS ‘Golden Crown’ was built in Auckland, New Zealand for the Thames River (since renamed the Waihou River) trade
Interestingly, the PS ‘Golden Crown’ was originally designed as an iron vessel:
” . . . The plates, frames, engines and boilers were made in England for assembly in Auckland, NZ. The vessel carrying the plates and frames was wrecked, so the design was altered to construction her of timber . . . “
Source: Excerpt – Website: ‘Shipwrecks of Port Phillip and The Rip’
1874 → acquired by the Sorrento and Queenscliff Steam Navigation Company. She underwent extensive re-decoration before commencing the Port Phillip Bay Excursion trade
18th Dec 1874 → successfully completed her first trial trip on Port Phillip Bay
For an article reporting on the trip, click here
25 Jan 1877 → the PS ‘Williams’ was involved in a collision with the PS ‘Golden Crown’ at the Queenscliff jetty
For an article reporting the investigation into the collision, click here
Jan 1879 → the steamer ‘Rosedale’ temporarily replaced the PS ‘Golden Crown’ services:
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic) – 10 Jan 1879
27 Oct 1883 → the successful trial run of the PS ‘Golden Crown’ following extensive repair and renovation works carried out by the new owners, the ‘Port Phillip Steamship and Hotel Company’ of which the infamous Mr George Coppin was a part of:
” . . . The marine excursion season was inaugurated on Saturday afternoon with a trial spin of the Port Phillip Steamship and Hotel Company’s paddle-steamer Golden Crown from the Sandridge railway-pier to Queenscliff, Portsea, Sorrento, and return . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘Argus’ (Melbourne) – Article “The Excursion Steamer Golden Crown” – published 29th October 1883
For the full article reporting on this trial trip, the extent of works, etc., click here
1892 → Melbourne – the PS ‘Golden Crown’ is reported in the registers as “broken up” . . .
Additional Sources: Websites: ‘Flotilla Australia’, ‘Shipwrecks of Port Phillip and The Rip’
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View other important events in the history of The Steamers of Port Phillip Bay . . .
