SS ‘Sarah’

Steamer Sarah - Gippsland Times - 15 Feb 1882

Gippsland Times – 15 Feb 1882

The propeller driven screw steamer SS ‘Sarah’ was reportedly built by R Tainsh, at Port Albert, in the year 1869.

She ran as a tug for the local hop growers, towing the barges ‘Progress’ and ‘Industry’, loaded with ti-tree hop poles to the hop fields.  The article “Cultivation of Hops” published in the Sydney Mail on the 28th April 1883, provides an interesting insight into the art of growing hops in Gippsland at this time.  The SS ‘Sarah’ conscientiously plied the waters of Gippsland’s lakes and rivers, travelling up the Tambo River to Mossiface, the Nicholson River and the river flats near Bairnsdale.

Sarah Ad - Gippsland Times - 29 Mar 1882

Gippsland Times – 29 Mar 1882

In the early 1880’s, the SS “Sarah” was licensed to carry passengers and serviced the Sale to Bairnsdale run.

The following incident was reported in the Gippsland Times on the 16th January 1884:

“An accident happened to the steamer Sarah, whilst running an excursion trip from Bairnsdale to the Lakes Entrance on Sunday last.  It appears that when between Mr Laughton’s and the New Works the steamer took the ground, and in endeavouring to get her off, the propeller broke.  Captain Bull fortunately had a duplicate one on board, and with the assistance of his engineer, and a man named Seymour, they succeeded in replacing the broken one, having to work up to their waists in water.  The steamer was then got off and the journey completed without any further mishap.”

Another incident of a separate tenor was reported as follows:

Steamer Sarah - Gippsland Times - 14 Aug 1878

Gippsland Times – 14 Aug 1878

Steamer Sarah - Gippsland Times - 14 Aug 1878 (2)

Gippsland Times – 14 Aug 1878 – pp 2

View other important events in the history of Gippsland’s Steamers . . .

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