Bairnsdale Advertiser – 14 Aug 1894
The propeller driven screw steamer SS ‘Tambo’ was designed and built by Sylvia Eriksen and Archie McAlpine for the Tambo River trade in 1882. She was designed to carry heavy loads, being broad in beam and fully built out at both ends. These design features, however, made her very slow and after just a few years of carrying passengers and cargo, she was converted into a barge to carry produce such as wood, wool, maize, etc.
The tug SS ‘Tarra’ towed the re-purposed ‘Tambo’, transporting huge loads.
SS ‘Tarra’ towing the barge ‘Tambo’ with wool from Ensay, via Mossiface – unloading at Bairnsdale Wharf c 1900
The ‘Tambo’ was built at Paynesville, in Eriksen’s Shipyard, situated near what used to be known as ‘Brown’s Store‘ approximately half way between the boat harbour and the wharf. She was of a composite construction, involving iron or steel ribs with wooden planking.
In 1912, the ‘Tambo’ was hauled off shore, dismantled and wrecked at the very same spot that the SS ‘JCD’ was wrecked some 24 years later, in 1936 . . .
View other important events in the history of Gippsland’s Steamers . . .
Reference: ‘Sailing Ships & Paddle Wheels by JC Bull’ – pp 135, 153, 156 & 157
