PS Adelaide gets some TLC

By Emily Donohoe

Jul 12, 2024

*PS Adelaide* is having maintenance work done at the Moama slipway. Photo by Aidan Briggs

PS Adelaide is undergoing her regular service on the Moama slipway, with extra attention given by shipwright Adam Fitton.

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The world's oldest operating wooden-hulled paddlesteamer undergoes out-of-water survey work every two to three years, where an inspector assesses the vessel.

“When they’re out of water, the inspector comes, and they go through it,” Mr Fitton said.

“Much like a roadworthy for a car, that’s the easiest way to explain it.

“Then they allow you to operate commercially.”

This time round, PS Adelaide required some repairs, including the complex replacement of three planks.

“The process here is that we steam the planks,” Mr Fitton said.

“Adam (Auditori) inside cuts the planks, then we steam the planks to get the desired shape because these timbers are three inches thick, they’re very thick.

“Then we fit the plank, bolt it up and use a product called oakum, which is like a rope ... and then we’ll caulk the seam to make it watertight.”

Shipwright Adam Fitton caulks the oakum into the seam. Photo by Aidan Briggs

The team uses a range of techniques and equipment to complete the service, including manual jacks and electric drills.

“A lot of the trade is still using the old jacks,” he said.

“Then you’ve got modern tools to make it a bit easier where you can.

“You’ve got the old jacks there put the planks in, then once they go in the boat ... you use your caulking iron and your mallet, then you feed (the oakum) in, and you’ll be caulking it in.

“Then we put a tar product over it, that’s why it goes black, and that waterproofs it all.”