Chart of the Murrumbidgee River from Balranald to the Murray Junction

This particular hand-drawn roll chart of the Murrumbidgee River carefully records 82 miles of river, detailing the bends and snags. River details are marked with ink on the calico chart which has been dyed pink/red. Watercolour sketches depict stations. The chart is dated precisely 29 June 1898.

Lacking published charts showing navigational conditions of the river system, paddle steamer captains created their own. Scrolled out as the boat proceeded along the river, each captain could annotate the chart as needed to reflect the ever-changing nature of the waterways and sandbanks, snags and billabongs. Many captains mounted their charts in a special box in the wheelhouse and turned the chart on rollers. Additions could easily be made to these charts.

Not many of the river rolls survive today, but those that do are a testament to the nature of the major Australian river system, and the hazardous 'highway' of the past.It is not known whether this chart was initially used on a paddle steamer, with watercolour sketches added at a later date.

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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