Paddle Steamers of Mornington - Historical Facts - Mornington Peninsula - Victoria, Australia

Back in the 1800's at Mornington, a small seaside town on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia, the main event of the day was the arrival of one of the Paddle Steamers at the Mornington Wharf. The local hotels and guest houses sent wagonettes and porters to the pier to escort guests to their establishments. When the paddle steamers departed to continue their journey to Sorrento, a procession of porters, trolleys and passengers headed towards the Main Street.

Paddle Steamers were a luxury form of transport on Port Philip Bay in the late 1800's. They were used to transport tourists from Melbourne to Mornington, Dromana and Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula, and Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula.

The Port Philip Steamship and Hotel Company owned the Golden Crown and the Lonsdale paddle steamers. They ran daily excursions from Melbourne to Mornington, Dromana, Sorrento and Queenscliff.

Golden Crown was built in Auckland New Zealand by Duthie and Ross in 1870. The plates, frames, engines and boilers were made in England and exported for assembled in Auckland, However, the vessel carrying the plates and frames was wrecked on her voyage to New Zealand, so the design was altered to construct her of timber. She was 200 feet long and weighed 330 gross tons. After being used in the North Island on the Thames River she was sold in 1874 to the Port Philip Steamship and Hotel Co. where she became a regular on the Mornington, Sorrento, Queenscliff route. Golden Crown was broken up in Melbourne in 1892.

Lonsdale was built in 1882 at Greenock , Scotland . She was 228 feet long, made of iron and weighed 228 tons. During a storm in June 1889 she broke her moorings at Port Philip Bay and was stranded at Port Melbourne Beach . It wasn't until January 1891 she was refloated but it was determined that repair costs were so high she would be dismantled.

George Coppin a Theatre entrepreneur and owner of the Continent Hotel, the swimming baths and a tramway that carried visitors from the bayside beach to the wild open back beach at Sorrento, started the Bay Excursion Steamer Company Ltd. and commissioned the construction of the first Port Phillip Bay paddle steamer 1886.

By the turn of the century, there were 3 Port Phillip Bay paddle steamers in operation, the Ozone, the Hygeia and the Weeroona.

The Ozone, was built in Glasgow, she was 260 feet long (80 metres), built of steel and weighed 572 tons. Her two paddle wheels each measured almost 22 feet in diameter (approximately 7 metres) and she could travel at up to 20 knots. At the time she was considered the finest paddle steamer to be built.

Ozone had three decks, a luxurious dining room, bars, and a ladies hair salon. She had a dark green hull, white upper sections and two orange funnels. She could carry up to 1600 passengers. So up to date was the Ozone, her lighting was by electricity which had been invented by Thomas Edison only 7 years earlier.

Leaving Glasgow on the 25th August 1886, Ozone travelled through the Mediterranean Sea, Suez Canal and down to Thursday Island where she was put in quarantine. Ozone finally arrived in Port Philip Bay on 26th November 1886.

Her maiden voyage on Port Philip Bay was on the 18th December 1886. First stop was Mornington, then Sorrento and on to Queenscliff where she collided with the pier! She was also involved in other incidents during her life. In 1889 she collided with a schooner called Elfin. There was no serious damage to either vessel. 1890 saw a near miss with the coastal trader Coogee, but in 1894 Ozone ran down the fishing vessel May causing considerable damage to May.

Due to declining patronage the Ozone was withdrawn from service in 1918. She was sold to George Hill & Company, a Melbourne Shipbreaker who stripped all the fittings and sank the hull at Indented Head near Queenscliff.

The next paddle steamer to go into service was the Hygeia. Built by Napier, Shanks and Bell of Glasgow in 1890 for Hubbart Parker and Company, Hygeia was designed to compete directly with Ozone.

Hygeia was 300 feet long (92 metres), was built of steel and weighed 986 tons. She was capable of 22 knots under full steam and was considered the most luxuriously appointed paddle steamer ever built for Australian service.

Licensed to carry over 1600 passengers, Hygeia operated for 40 years servicing Port Philip Bay. She had a promenade deck, licensed saloons, luxuriously appointed dining rooms and a barbers shop.

Hygeia was taken out of service in 1930. During her time she was involved in a few incidents. In 1894 she was involved in a collision with the tug, Sprightly. On the 8th December 1911 she collided with an unnamed cutter on Port Philip Bay and a few days later on the 22nd December was stranded at Sorrento.

Hygeia was laid to rest after being stripped of all her fittings at Barwon Heads just outside the western head of Port Philip Bay in June 1932.

Weeroona was the last of the Port Philip Bay paddle steamers to be built. She was built by A.S Inglis of Glasgow in 1910 for Hubbart Parker and Company.

Weeroona took 70 days to complete her maiden voyage from Glasgow to Melbourne via the Suez Canal, Jakarta, Thursday Island, Brisbane and Sydney.

Larger than the other two paddle steamers, Weeroona was 310 feet long (95 metres), constructed of steel, weighed 1412 tons and licensed to carry 1900 passengers. Again she was extremely luxurious with spacious promenade decks and impressive lounges and dining rooms.

Weeroona serviced the resorts of Port Philip bay until 1942 when she was purchased by the US Navy who intended to refit her as a convalescent and accommodation ship. Leaving Melbourne in 1943, Weeroona travelled under her own steam to Sydney and then she was taken under tow to the Philippines via Brisbane and New Guinea.

The Australian Government purchased Weeroona from the US Navy in 1945 and sold her for scrap in 1951 when she was stripped and sunk off Berry Bay in NSW.

The era of luxurious paddle steamers on Port Philip Bay is now long gone, however, the wonderful resort towns of Mornington and Sorrento can still be enjoyed and the history re-lived.

For more fascinating historical facts , photographs, sightseeing tips and lots more information about the magnificent Mornington Peninsula, please visit us.

Di Jones - Travel Writer and Historian
Co-owner of http://www.discovermorningtonpeninsula.com.au Discover Mornington Peninsula is an information and travel site about the breathtakingly beautiful area called the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. Our site is packed with both travel and historical information. Enjoy!

5 Things to Do When You Visit Branson, MO

Branson, Missouri is one of the Midwest's greatest tourist destinations. There are many attractions in Branson, and people of every age are sure to find several things to see and do while in town. While there are collectively hundreds of museums, variety shows, shops, parks, playgrounds, and other activities in Branson, following are five of the most highly recommended.

1. Branson Scenic Railway

For a great scenic tour of the Ozarks and the area surrounding Branson, a ride on the Scenic Railway is a must. While on the railway tour, a guide provides riders with a lot of information and history about the Branson area. The scenery that can be viewed from the train is magnificent and the train cars, which are designed to be like they were in the old days, allow riders to feel like they are on a train ride from the past.

2. Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show

This show is one of Branson's most popular attractions. The characters on stage have great costumes, wonderful singing voices, and they are experts at riding the 32 horses that take part in the show. The dinner served is delicious and can be considered down-home cooking.

3. America's Presidency

One of the most highly recommended museums in Branson is America's Presidency Museum. This museum is anything but ordinary, and a visit is truly entertaining. The museum is home to several outfits originally owned and worn by several past First Ladies, and there are also several exhibits featuring some of the personal items from the estates of President Lincoln, President Roosevelt and President Kennedy.

4. Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum

This museum is one of the most popular and exciting tourist destinations in the entire city. There are several hundred items in the museum that have entertained and surprised visitors for decades. The building that houses the museum was built to look like it was a victim of the earthquake that hit Missouri in 1812.

5. Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City is a theme park that is a favorite among visitors of all ages. The park includes a crafter's village reminiscent of an 1880's town, amusement park rides, and a water park called, "White Water." Silver Dollar City also commonly hosts various music festivals and celebrations. The park has a nightly display of fireworks in addition to a laser show and music. There are several places to eat dinner in and around Silver Dollar City, but a trip on the Showboat Branson Belle - a cruise ship - is a truly memorable experience as it includes a meal as well as a dinner show.

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Interesting Places in Luxembourg

In this land of lush scenery and tranquil environment, springs the charming modern day sceneries and energetic bustles. Possessing a rich history, an evolving traditions and diverse arts, Luxembourg is a tiny nation that sits with the very heart of Europe and may be a capital of Europe's economic integration.
Luxembourg can be a melting-pot of ancient beauty and of contemporary charm. In its capital urban centre, Luxembourg City, many fortresses, cathedrals, and historical buildings and museums, can be viewed as you walked by their paved roads.

Luxembourg also boasts its Valley of Seven Castles where by most of other noblemen once resided. A 37-kilometer stretch Eisch valley showcases one of the most vital cultural and historical treasures on the nation. The valley employed being a mining spot as exhibited by the various caves exactly where the relations of miners lived. The majority of the cultivation lands along the riverbanks from the valley have preserved their prime prehistoric appeal and are part of the biggest natural protected zone in Luxembourg. Adventures are also present in Eisch valley. Numerous hikers and cyclists are fascinated by the 200-kilometer serene streets and elaborated forest tracks.

Numerous leisure pursuits are likewise available in the metropolis like watching theaters, going to museums and art galleries, dining at 13-star restaurants and going to spas. The Philharmonie Luxembourg Concert Hall, Museum of Modern Artwork Grand-Duc Jean MUDAM and Mondorf le Domain Thermal Spa are few of the modern day infrastructures exactly where entertainment and relaxation are at their finest. Luxembourg is also the place for many Michelin-star restaurants where by a mixed French and German gastronomy is served. All these contemporary spots may be viewed while enjoying an unforgettable journey in the underground caverns of Casemates in the Petrusse Valley.

Luxembourg is some 50-mile lengthy and 30-mile wide, that is why it's not tough to tour around the state. One of the greatest ways to take pleasure from picturesque structures and sights is via strolling. The Wenzel Walk provides you with the opportunity to can return to a millennium full of history in mere 100 minutes. Appreciate also a panoramic spree at Europe's greatest balcony, Chemin de la Corniche, where by magnificent river valley and old town landscapes are explored and exactly where the city's nightlife is at.
Outside the metropolis, it is possible to also love strolling and biking at Moselle Valley which leads to winding paths of vineyards, at Ardennes in which verdant meadows and thick foliage of pines await, and at Mullerthal Region regarded for its stunning rock formations.

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Thailand's Tourist Drug Problem

Some trekking tour companies, particularly in Northern Thailand, have been known to make drugs available to trekkers. Travelers should not accept drugs of any kind, as the drugs may be altered or harmful, and the use or sale of narcotic drugs is illegal in Thailand. Additionally, alcoholic beverages, medications and drugs may be more potent or of a different composition than similar ones in the United States.

Penalties for the possession of, use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Thailand are severe. Foreigners are not excused from these checks, and anyone whose urine tests positive for drugs is arrested and charged. The possession of even small quantities of "soft drugs" for recreational purposes can result in lengthy jail sentences and deportation. Enforcement action against people involved in all aspect of illicit drugs has increased significantly. Canadians are reminded that Thai laws regarding illegal drugs are very strict and include the death penalty for serious offences. The possession of even small amounts of illegal drugs, including marijuana, can result in severe fines and/or prison sentences. Visitors should be aware that night-time police spot-checks to search for illegal drugs have become common in and around entertainment venues in Thailand.

Never become involved with drugs of any kind in Thailand. Amphetamines and Ecstasy are regarded as class A drugs and possession or trafficking of them carries the same penalties as, for example, heroin.

The long, mountainous border with Myanmar (Burma) brings refugees, illegal immigrants, and drugs into the country. Most people think about Thailand as having only drugs & girls. Enforcement action against people involved in all aspect of illicit drugs has increased significantly, becarefull not to ruin your holiday and your life.

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