MARION

1900: W Bowring, Sydney, 1908: B Chaffey, 1915: Gem Navigation Co Ltd, 1919: Murray Shipping Co Ltd, Adelaide, 1953: P Arnold, 1958: Murray Steamers Ltd, 1963: National Trust Of SA. The vessel is now permanently docked in the old graving dock of Randell at Mannum and houses a museum of items connected with River navigation. The vessel was supposedly built as a pleasure craft for Mr GS Fowler of Adelaide, and the construction was supervised by Peter Westergard. Mr Fowler died before the vessel was completed and the executors of his estate sold it to Mr Bowring who installed the machinery and ran the vessel as a hawking steamer on the Darling. When the Chaffey brothers bought her, they used the material from the dismantled 'Pearl' to build up the passenger accomodation of the vessel. The last trip of Marion was made from Berri to Mannum, arriving June 10. A distinguished crew, including the Premier of SA, Sir Thomas Playford, brought her to the wharf for an enthusiastic welcome by a large crowd. Th 237 mile trip was a triumphant procession and large groups of people gathered at the various ports of call and other vantage points to wish her good luck. At some time in her life the iron hull was planked over and she was described as being of composite construction.