PS ''Emmylou'' is a paddle steamer operated by Murray River Paddlesteamers in

Echuca Echuca ( ) is a town on the banks of the Murray River and Campaspe River in Victoria, Australia. The border town of Moama is adjacent on the northern side of the Murray River in New South Wales. Echuca is the administrative centre and largest s ...

, used for both day and overnight accommodation cruises.

History

Built in 1980 and named after the country singer

Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She has released dozens of albums and singles over the course of her career and has won 14 Grammys, the Polar Music Prize, and numerous other honors, including ...

, the PS ''Emmylou'' has been host to thousands of people, delighting even her namesake during the late 1980s. Alongside the PS ''Pevensey'', the PS ''Emmylou'' starred in the TV series

All the Rivers Run ''All the Rivers Run'' is an Australian historical novel by Nancy Cato, first published in 1958. It was adapted as a 1983 Australian television mini-series starring Sigrid Thornton and John Waters. The mini-series is marketed with the tagline ...

, in which she was renamed the PS ''Providence''. Built in an effort to pay tribute to the steam powered vessels of the

Murray Murray may refer to: Businesses * Murray (bicycle company), an American manufacturer of low-cost bicycles * Murrays, an Australian bus company * Murray International Trust, a Scottish investment trust * D. & W. Murray Limited, an Australian who ...

before her, the Emmylou began life as three lengths of steel in a shed at Barham, in 1980. Designed by naval architect Warwick Hood, and Glenn Davis, the boat's characteristics were loosely based on the hull of the PS ''Pyap'', the engine-room of the PS ''Melbourne'', the main deck-house of the PS ''Pevensey'' and the PS ''Industry'', and the wheel-house of the '' PS Adelaide''. Following a three-month search expedition, a 1906 Marshall, Sons & Co. portable steam engine was located in a shed at the old Moulamein Timber Mill. The Emmylou was the first steam-driven overnight paddle steamer to be launched since the PS ''Ruby'''s maiden voyage in 1907. When launched in 1982 by owner Anthony Bowell, the PS ''Emmylou'' could comfortably accommodate 16 overnight passengers in twin stacked berth cabins (that included basins) and offered shared showers and bathrooms. She boasted modern features, such as two sundecks, "full stereo sound system, television, VHS video tape, air-conditioning, taped movies, and some games". By 1984, the PS ''Emmylou'' was under new ownership and had been refurbished to include an additional two cabins, enabling her to host up to 20 overnight passengers.

Cabins of the PS ''Emmylou''

Modern day

The PS ''Emmylou'', like '' The Pride of the Murray'' and PS ''Canberra'', operates as a tourist attraction in Echuca operated by Murray River Paddlesteamers. It is one of the most recognisable and iconic Paddlesteamers in Australia. The ''Emmylou'' is now the only wood fired paddlesteamer in the world offering regular scheduled accommodated river cruises. The ''Emmylou'' was relaunched in September 2018 following a $500,000 renovation, becoming Australia's most luxurious boutique inland river cruiser when her cabins were refitted to a luxury standard with ensuites; including the new premier 'Emmylou Suite'. Guests are offered the opportunity to step back in time and let the Emmylou connect them to Australian history, geography, culture and cuisine. Passengers on accommodated cruises enjoy riverside campfires, BBQ's, winery visits, world heritage wetlands and cultural experience, all whilst enjoying the sights and sounds of Australia's most famous river. The ''Emmylou'' also operates on select weekends to undertake normal sightseeing, lunch, and dinner cruises, and is also available for weddings, corporate functions and private events subject to availability. When available, ''Redgums on the PS Emmylou'' offer a 3 course luncheon with a selection of mains and deserts, while the ''Evening Steaming'' offers a 5 course dinner including three selection of main, while accompanied by a 3-hour cruise.

Particulars

The PS ''Emmylou'' is powered by a restored 1906 wood-fired Marshall, Sons & Co. 2-cylinder double acting horizontal steam engine, which was dismantled, restored and modified prior to installation. She operates on approximately one tonne of wood per day, while consuming an average of 250 litres of water per day.

References

External links

Murray River Paddlesteamers

PS Emmylou Cruises
{{DEFAULTSORT:Emmylou Paddle steamers of Australia 1982 ships Echuca-Moama