The 'Albury', from a painting, 1855

The Albury was the first iron-hulled paddle steamer on the River Murray. Built in Glasgow and shipped out to Goolwa it was re-assembled by Francis Cadell and operated as part of his River Murray Navigation Company. 120 feet long by 16 feet by 6 feet, the Albury was equipped with a 50 hp engine from Neilson & Co., also of Glasgow. In October 1855 she steamed above Albury and in 1858 reached Gundagai from Goolwa, a distance of 2000 miles. In December 1862 the vessel was sold to George Johnston and C. Murphy. The paddle steamer was noted for some particularly long hauls, including steaming up the Darling River further than any previous vessel had gone.

The Albury remained on the river until 1887 after which she was employed as a tug and lighter in the South Australian gulfs, finally sinking in the Port River in 1891. Even then she was eventually raised and served as a barge for a few years before being broken up in 1900.

Cadell, Francis, (1822-1879)

Phillips, Peter J. Redgum & paddlewheels: Australia's inland river trade Collingwood, Vic.: Greenhouse, 1980

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 Ridgehaven, S. Aust.: Gould Books, 1990

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

Mannum Dock Museum

Australian Dictionary of Biography online: Francis Cadell (1822-1879)

SA Memory: Wooden Walls and Iron Sides: Riverine shipping