The Paddle Vessel Amphibious was constructed in Melbourne in 1875. She is a diesel-powered vessel moored in Echuca, Victoria. But that’s not how she started out. Initially, in 1876, the Amphibious was a screw steamer. Screw Steamer is an old term referring to a steamship or steamboat that used steam to be powered by. The steam engine drove one or two propellers that were also known as screws due to their screw like action to drive, pull of push the vessel through the water. The abbreviation used to be “SS”… Screw Steamer. The twin propellers were 6 foot in diameter allowing the vessel to be operational in shallow waters.

The PV Amphibious was lengthened to 23 meters in 1901 after several different owners. By 1904, the vessel was relocated from the Murray River to Port Adelaide and was converted to a sailing ketch. A ketch is a sturdy and strong sailboat that has two masts and normally weighs over 100 tons. In 1959 the Amphibious was rebuilt as a showboat that cruised the Port River. She has sank at least two times and has been faithfully ressurected numerous times. The vessel has been refloated as recently as 2020. The PV Amphibious has had a long history of nearly 150 years as many vessel types, uses and engines. We are all thankful that she is still in use and operating after all these years. Good luck to Tim and Carol Mills in looking after this old maiden of the river.