Convicts & Colonials: Recreation

Riverboats at play
Almost all of the steamers occasionally made pleasure trips for riverside picnics and Bay excursions. These were sometimes run by the steamer owners or captains, and sometimes by an organisation which hired a vessel for a social event or to raise funds. A band often provided music on board and at the chosen picnic spot – Bremer Junction was a popular choice. Many excursions were for special events such as the Cleveland Regatta or the arrival of a new Governor. They were also arranged when a large or interesting overseas ship arrived in the Bay.

Riverboat Races
The trip between Ipswich and Brisbane could be long and tedious, so speed was a very desirable asset for a river steamer. From the initial trip of seven hours for Experiment, the time was reduced to three or four hours. The early vessel Hawk was capable of a modest 10km/hr. Breadalbane reached 28km/hr and in 1859, made what was considered a record trip. She left Brisbane at 8am, took on coal at Redbank, unloaded and re-loaded at Ipswich, and was back by 4.45pm.

When new boats arrived, their trip times were noted with interest, and races were sometimes set up against the old champions. During its initial trials in March 1857, Brisbane had an impromptu race with the Bremer. Although the new boat won, the Bremer was carrying a load of wool and onlookers thought she would be a match under more equal circumstances. The arrival of the new steamer Ipswich in 1864 prompted a race between it and the “old favourite” Breadalbane. The two vessels left at approximately the same time, with Breadalbane about a mile ahead.

Ipswich gradually caught up, and finally managed to pass at Seventeen Mile Rocks. At Moggill, Breadalbane had to stop for seven minutes when one of the floats on a paddle wheel came loose. However in the Bremer River, Breadalbane proved far more suited and made up time. Ipswich finally made the trip in 3 hrs 12 minutes while Breadalbane made it in 3 hrs 18 minutes, not including the seven minute stoppage. The Breadalbane’s master was not convinced and raced again the next day, with much the same result.