The South Australian Government offered a bonus of £4000 in 1850, for the successful steam navigation of the River Murray, which they foresaw as a great highway to the interior. The South Australian Government Gazette of 8 August 1850 sets out the terms of the bonus, the draft of the vessel and power of the engine. Also provided is information about the river itself and prospects for trade.

It would be another three years before Francis Cadell with his boat Lady Augusta successfully navigated the Murray Mouth, steamed upriver, collected a cargo and claimed the prize. William Randell as well would build his paddle steamer Mary Ann and enter the river at Mannum. In March 1853 Randell steamed to Goolwa for Customs clearance before travelling up river as far as Lake Bonney where he was compelled to return to Mannum because of low water. Randell subsequently left Goolwa 15 August and reached Echuca to deliver her cargo. Cadell had laft Goolwa 25 August. The media would term this a race when the Lady Augusta passed the Mary Ann at Swan Hill. Both men would be rewarded by the government.

Charles Sturt the Colonial Secretary was in a good position to comment on the River Murray as he had explored it in 1829/30 in a whaleboat, and in 1839 with Governor Gawler had travelled upriver to the North West Bend (Morgan) to explore inland from there.

Sturt, Charles, (1795-1869)

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

Painter, Gwenda A different river: river trade and development along the Murray Valley network South Melbourne: Hyland House, 1993

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

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

Mannum Dock Museum

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

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