Type :
|
Wooden paddlewheel
steam ship
|
Launched :
|
20/02/1855
|
Builder :
|
J Booth
Balmain, NSW
|
Gross weight :
|
27 tons
|
Dimensions :
|
70.00 x 13.00 x 5.00 (feet)
|
Passenger capacity :
|
unknown
|
Speed :
|
unknown |
Alma
was the second vessel used by Henry Perdriau for his Balmain
Steam Ferry operations. The building of this vessel allowed Perdriau to
extend his
service to Bald Rock in Johnstones Bay, Annandale.
Her engines, developing 15hp were built locally at Balmain by a
gentleman named Swan. The vessel was capable of carrying horses and
carriages as well as passengers which may indicate she was a punt.
Almost immediately, she had her first accident when, on the 31st of
August 1856, she collided with another steamer (the
Pearl). Her master, Archibald
macbeth was charged with being "in breach of steamboat regulations"
although the water police could not prove that he was in charge of the
vessel at the time. as a result, the charges were dropped.
In the late 1870's the company and the ferries were sold to John Watson
who continued to operate the service.
Alma was broken up in 1891.