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Mayflower

Vessel numberHV000166

Vessel Registration NumberHB023

Official Number89328

Builder Wilson and Burkett

Designer Wilson and Burkett

Previous owner Creager Bros.

Vessel type Paddle Steamers of the Murray-Darling

Date1884

DimensionsRegistered Dimensions: 14.48 m x 6.71 m, 14.71 tons (47.5 ft x 22 ft)
Vessel Dimensions: 15.85 m x 6.71 m x 0.61 m (52 ft x 22 ft x 2 ft)

DescriptionMAYFLOWER was built at Moama on the Murray River in NSW, opposite Echuca by Wilson and Burkett. Daniel Alexander, who was known as 'Black Alex'*, was originally from the West Indies and the first owner of the vessel. By all accounts he was an impressive figure, and the stories about him exaggerate his strength, while he claimed to be the greatest swearer and talker on the river.

Daniel Alexander and his Australian wife ran the paddle steamer between them. It is carvel planked in red gum on steel frames. It has a flat bottom and light draft enabling it to work on many of the Murray River tributaries as well. MAYFLOWER was low powered and this caused problems when making headway up stream against the current.

Alexander collected bottles and carried firewood before the craft was seized in Hay by the National Bank when he ran into debt. He seized it back one night and made for the Murray River where he was arrested at Swan Hill. The craft was taken over by his bankers again and eventually sold to Billy 'Pirate' Wilson.

Amongst its subsequent owners were the Creager brothers from Renmark who removed the top deckhouses and used MAYFLOWER as a fishing steamer for a period before it was left idle, falling into disrepair. It then went through a succession of owners on the Murray, including N. Collins, Captain Alby Pointon, Captain Paddy Hogg, Tommy Barr-Smith from Lake Victoria Station and Stan Wilson a retired merchant seaman from Swan Hill. Captain Pointon installed a diesel engine in place of the steam engine and boiler in the mid 1950s. It then became the MAYFLOWER Show Boat for many years.

The current owners bought MAYFLOWER at Swan Hill in 1984 and have used it as a private vessel. It retains the diesel engine and side-wheels and has a reconstructed superstructure that reflects the original arrangement.

*The Australian National Maritime Museum does not condone the use of historical language that may now be considered offensive.
SignificanceMAYFLOWER is a wooden paddle steamer built in NSW in the mid 1880s. It is a Murray River paddle steamer and was built in 1884 at Moama in NSW, opposite Echuca on the Victoian side of the river. . MAYFLOWER is possibly the oldest original Australian paddlesteamer. The first owner was Daniel Alexander, a legendary figure in the river's history.

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