Stinker’s History: SS Sophia Jane

THE first ship to sail between Yacaaba and Tomaree, into the calm waters of Port Stephens, was the “Salamander” – a convict ship that arrived in Australia on 21 August 1791 as one of 11 ships in the 3rd Fleet.

Since that first arrival, ships from around the world have sought the refuge of the port.

The “Sophia Jane”, which arrived in 1831, was very different from the sailing ships that had previously entered the harbour.

The paddle wheel steamer was the first vessel of its type to arrive in Australian waters.

It sailed into Sydney Harbour from London on 17 May 1831, under the command of Captain Edward Biddulph, who was a part-owner.

The vessel attracted much interest in the Sydney colony as nothing like it had been seen before.

While being a paddle steamer that could be powered by either coal or timber, it was also fitted with sails.

The sails enabled the vessel to be sailed from England without the use of coal or wood.

For most of its working life the paddle steamer transported goods and passengers between Sydney, Newcastle, Morpeth and Port Stephens areas.

The first visit made by SS Sophia Jane to Morpeth was on 12 June 1831, via Newcastle.

She later visited Port Stephens on July 26, 1831.

Sophia Jane arrives in Port Stephens for the first time

Sir Edward Parry was the Commissioner of the Australian Agricultural Company (AAC) from 1830 to 1834.

During the early part of his appointment, he was based at Carrington, Port Stephens and lived nearby in a homestead at Tahlee.

Sir Edward Parry was a very respected and influential person in Sydney Town and had close connections with the two Governors who served during his presence in the colony.

The journal kept by Parry during his residence at Port Stephens show that he was a frequent traveller on the Sophia Jane.

Appreciation for the research conducted by Kevin McGinness

For more, visit portstephenshistory.com.

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE