River Murray steamer "Ulonga" at Port Adelaide, believed to be the first paddle steamer to call at Port Adelaide since 1905. A vessel of 127 tons, her purpose was to undergo conversion to a power schooner for the coastal trade of R. Fricker & Co.

River Murray paddle steamer Ulonga at Port Adelaide, believed to be the first paddle steamer to call at Port Adelaide since 1905. A vessel of 127 tons, it was to be converted to an auxiliary powered three masted schooner for the South Australian coastal trade. Ulonga was operated by R Fricker & Co.

Ulonga was built as a paddle steamer in 1910 at Moama for Permewan, Wright & Co. and traded on the River Murray until 1948 when she was sold for the coastal trade. A number of well-built but surplus paddle steamers were converted to schooners or ketches including Moorara, Amphibious and the barge Reliance.

Following the conversion Ulonga traded successfully in the South Australian gulfs. It underwent several alterations, and the three masts were reduced to one, making the vessel very ungainly looking. The single mast was used to swing a single cargo derrick from. At this time it was also fitted with twin diesel engines.

Ulonga sank 7 July 1976 off Carrickalinga Beach en route to Kangaroo Island. It was carrying a cargo of gypsum at the time. The vessel was considered to be in sound condition and there was no obvious reason for the loss.

Parsons, Ronald. Ships of the inland rivers: an outline history and details of all known paddle ships, barges and other vessels trading on the Murray-Darling system Gumeracha, S. Aust.: Gould Books, 1996
Thiele, Ron N. Ketch hand: the twilight of sail in South Australian waters Portland, Vic.: Main'sle Books, 1987

Christopher, Peter. Paddlesteamers and riverboats of the River Murray [Stepney, S.Aust.]: Axiom , 2000

State Library of South Australia: Downstream the River Murray in South Australia: select 'The River as a Highway'