Ferries of Western Port, Victoria by John Jansson
The first ferry to operate the Cowes run was paddle steamer Sarah 17/11 tons, 54.3 x 11.4 x 5.4 feet, ON 31889, built by Peter Tainsh, Port Albert, Victoria, 1869. Converted to screw steamer 1874. An advert on Jan 6 1873 stated:
Cowes (Phillip Island) by COACH and STEAMER.
COACH leaves Cobb’s office for this delightful watering-place on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, at 7 am, connecting with steamboat (Sarah) at Hastings, and returning from Phillip Island on alternate days. Return tickets at reduced fares. On and after Monday December 23, the above coach will leave Melbourne daily. Special coaches can be arranged for ROBERTSON and Co., Proprietors. (Last advertisement until Eclipse starts 1 Nov 1876)
The next was Iron screw steamer Eclipse 28/19 tons, 69 x 10.1 x 5.3 feet, 16 hp, 60 passenger, ON 64802, built by David Forman, launched at Yarra Bank Road, Emerald Hill, Melbourne. Bought by Western Port Steamship Company. Shareholders: Samuel Amess (of Churchill Island), John Cleeland, J. Robertson, John & Solomon West. Manager, Henry Fowler Norton.
The Ferry Vixen 34/23 tons, 58.8 x 15x 5.6 feet, ON 93531, built at Lavender Bay, Sydney in 1886 by James Halstead was a ferry in Western Port from 1887-1917.
Soldiers leaving from Rhyll on the Vixen, 1915.
L. to r. Harry Heard, Len McFee, Jim Smith, Bob White and Alan McFee.
Photo: O. Underdown
The Vixen had a sad ending: Vixen was under tow to Melbourne by tug Sprightly when off Cape Schanck she was found to be taking in water. They headed back to Rhyll but the Vixen sank off Cowes. Topside seams had opened up whilst sitting on her mooring at Rhyll for around two years and had taken in water while under tow. Her remains were found by Heritage Victoria and MAAV divers in Feb 2014.
Ferries come and go in quick succession
Ferries of Western Port, Victoria, Australia by John Jansson
Reliance ferry – under Royal patronage
The former luxury yacht turned ferry; The Alvina
