Edina. Iron steamer, 380/223 tons. # 11136.Built Glasgow, 1854: reg. Melbourne 1863. Lbd 171 x 23-6 x 12-7 ft. Initially rigged with three masts and a funnel between the main and mizzen. One of Australia’s most famous steamers. Ran for a time in the North Sea trade, and because of her speed, was a blockade runner during the Crimean War where she experienced the first of her many collisions when she rammed a Russian ship.In 1863 ran bales of cotten out of Galveston, Texas during the American Civil War, at the time rigged as a three-masted steamer. In 1865 came to Australia and ran from Portland to Melbourne, then to New Zealand when gold was discovered there. In 1880 ran on the Melbourne-Geelong passenger and freight service, with an altered rig of only one mast. She had many further collisions and ‘incidents’ during her long life, and became known as a ‘collision specialist’. economic conditions forced her from service in 1938. Owned by Warrnambool Steam Packet Co. Ltd when she ran the coast to Warrnambool and Portland, but better known later in the bay trade.
[WL],[LV,[LG], [LO],[#LSS],[LLB],[#LC],[WPH - 322/239 tons],[#DG]
Lawson states that at the time of writing (1927) she was the oldest operating steamer in the world. The oldest steamer afloat is stated to be the famous Great Britain, lying as a hulk in the Falkland Islands.
On 18 April 1863, she was at anchor in Portland Bay when a squall sprang up and forced her ashore where she lay for two days, battered by heavy seas, before being refloated and taken to Melbourne for repairs. [LSS]
On 30 April 1869, when entering Port Phillip Heads on a voyage from Warrnambool to Melbourne with a number of passengers and a full cargo, struck a submerged object and began taking water. The pumps were set to work until she reached Williamstown where she was run ashore. [LR],[WPH],[LPH]
On 18 June 1869, stranded at Point Gellibrand, Port Phillip. [WPP]
In 1870, during a gale at Warrnambool, the steamer Dandenong drifted close to the Edina and finally swung broadside on to her bow, damaging the Edina’s figurehead, which was replaced when she was overhauled during 1872-73.
In 1880 - collided with the coal hulk City of Melbourne near the mouth of the Yarra River, Melbourne, suffering only minor damage
In 1883, involved in collision with vessel Cerberus, Victorian waters.
In 1883, assisted in salvage of cargo from stranded steamer rodondo, Point Lonsdale. [LR]
In 1887, assisted in rescue - see SS Cheviot, 1887.
On 6 March 1893, stranded at Geelong. [WPP]
In 1894, involved in collision with steamer Courier, Corio Bay. [LC]
In 1898, ashore at point Gellibrand, Port Phillip. [LC]
On the evening of 27 April 1898, she struck SS Manawatu near Williamstown. The Manawatu, badly damaged in the bows, sank soon after, while the Edina was run ashore on Point Gellibrand with a gaping hole in her side. The tugs Geebung, and Eagle, attempted to get her off without success, but she managed to get off apparently without assistance. [WPP],[LC]
In 1899, she rammed and sank her rival, the Excelsior, in Hobsons Bay, Port Phillip. Holed on the port side near the funnel, the Excelsior sank in five fathoms forty-five minutes later, after all passengers had been transferred to the Edina. The Excelsior was raised seven months later. [WPP]
On 9 July 1924, stranded at Point Gellibrand, Port Phillip. [WPP]
In 1931, July, she rammed the tug Hovell in Hobsons Bay; this being the last of her collisions before ]
On 16 September 1932, stranded at Portarlington, Port Phillip. [WPP]
In 1934, involved in collision with vessel Ormiston, Yarra River, Melbourne.