Sketch of the River Murray, Blanchetown to Wentworth [map]

This roll chart of the River Murray was used by paddle steamer skippers as a navigational aid. There are two parallel charts, one drawn by the surveyor J.J. Gwynne in 1867 (ink and watercolour). The second, in ink and pencil and superimposed over the top of the first, is by J. Pullitzer, who writes on the map 'The uncoloured chart as traced over the one coloured in blue I prepared from the chart of Captain Hanson, this tracing is far more correct a sketch than the coloured & I used it as some guidance in my operations. Adelaide, July 1883'. Details include hazards, stations and significant features to navigate by such as 'broken cliff', 'fallen tree' and 'woodman's hut'. Ink, watercolour and pencil on waxed linen.

This hand-drawn navigational chart shows the River Murray from Blanchetown to Wentworth. Not many of these river rolls still survive. Published maps of the river did not exist at this time and so paddle steamer captains drew their own. Today people boating on the river can buy books of maps such as River Murray charts : Renmark to Yarrawonga.

River trade was at its peak during the 1860s to the 1880s, continuing into the early 20th century. During this period between 200 and 300 boats were operating. Paddle steamers and barges were constantly on the move up and down the river highway. Cargo to assist settlers was carried upstream and agricultural products such as wool, wheat, oats, animal hides and salt and dried fruits were carried back downstream. Trade flourished and eventually railways were built to link river commerce with maritime ports.

Paddle steamer captains made their own navigational charts. These were cloth rolls, hand-drawn in ink and often painted with water colours. The scrolls were unwound as needed, often mounted on rollers in a box in the vessel's wheelhouse. Each captain could mark the charts as needed to show bends, distance, stations, bridges, wool sheds and changing, potentially dangerous features of the river.

When the river was in flood, the usual hazards of snags, rocks and sandbars, might be safely underwater, but trees that were previously on the banks and out of the way, were suddenly 'in' the river, and as well, there were other trees torn out from the banks and floating in the floodwaters. A steamer captain could face numerous hazards of this kind. Many of these would be marked on the river chart, and he could add newly discovered ones to his chart. Snags, rocks, sandbars, low river, high river with its drifting debris, bridges, locks and weirs - any and all of these could confront a river boat.

River borne trade is non-existent today. Road and rail transport have replaced it. Tourism remains however with paddle-steamers offering cruises, and a multitude of houseboats providing self-catering holidays on the rivers.

Permission to use this item for any purpose, including publishing, is not required from the State Library under these conditions of use.

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