Portrait of Capt. William Richard Randell

William Randell built his small paddle-steamer Mary Ann of local timber at Gumeracha and the frame was then taken to the River Murray near Mannum and completed there.  Loaded with provisions, the Mary Ann had first to steam to Goolwa to obtain a Customs clearance for her cargo. There also Governor Young inspected the vessel.  He told Randell that he would recommend that he receive a bonus of £300 for being the first steamer on the river.  The Mary Ann left Goolwa on 25 March 1853.  Unfortunately the boat only reached Lake Bonney before being forced back by low water.

From this small beginning William Randell built up a fleet of paddle steamers, trading far up the Murray-Darling river system and extending his business empire. He retired in 1899 passing his enterprise to his son, Murray.

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

Williams, Rod Pioneering pathways: 150 years since the commencement of the river trade, 1853-2003: Mannum's 150th anniversary, 1854-2004 Mannum, S.A.: Mannum Heritage Centre, 2003

Australian Dictionary of Biography online: Randell, William Richard (1824-1911)

Paddleboats and paddlesteamers on the River Murray