| Type : |
Iron paddlewheel
steamer |
| Launched : |
1851 |
| Builder : |
Alexander Bremner Wick, United Kingdom |
| Gross weight : |
83 tons |
| Dimensions : |
127' x 20'3" x 6'6" |
| Passenger capacity : |
unknown |
| Speed : |
11 knots |
Washington was a tug built in the United Kingdom and owned and operated by Messrs Mitchell and Co. of Sydney.
She arrived in Sydney in 1854 and was immediately offered for sale as a general purpose vessel - although described as a tug she was also noted as a passenger vessel and was equipped with a cargo hold that could carry 23 tons of goods. It wasn't unusual for the early colonial steamers to operate in a multi function role. There is some indication that shortly after her arrival she was operating for a brief time in Melbourne (as a tug). At this time she was the property of Messrs Dove and Oswald and was offered up for sale along with another tug, Hercules. By October 27th she was advertised by Mitchell and Co as "ready to remove any vessel".
The sale description also mentions that she had four state rooms, three water closets (toilets), cushions and seats in the foreward cabin (dimensions 13' x 18' 10" x 6' 6") and was powered by a 120 horsepower engine. As well, she was fittedc with a donkey engine for filling boilers and washing decks.
In the same year she is advertised as running to Watsons Bay (and carrying passengers) as a fill-in for the Victoria which was, at the time, undergoing repairs.
She is listed in 1855 along with seven other steamers as operating in Sydney Harbour and is the only one explicitly referred to as a tug. At this time she was the second largest steamer in the colony; Victoria (a ferry) being several tons heavier.
By 1859 it would appear that she had shifted ports to Newcastle under an arrangement with the government to allow her to operate exclusively for five years. This may not have been succesful however for a year later she was advertised in Sydney as "again available for towage" from the 7th of March.
The last advertisment for the vessel appears in June of 1862 after which no further reference appears.