From the film business to trading salt and gypsum, the paddle vessel Amphibious has gone through multiple makeovers in its nearly 150 years on the water. Its new owners want to make sure the second-oldest wooden vessel is there for generations to come.
Nathan Horvath saw the paddle boat Amphibious for the first time as a teenager and it was love at first sight.
Between five different jobs, three facelifts and sinking twice, the Amphibious has weathered its fair share of storms. "I never thought I would be sitting here, it was always a dream, but obviously the sheer cost was always out of our reach," the Renmark man said."That weekend we were heading down to Echuca to take a look at it. She knew I'd loved that boat from when I'd seen it."
Just after the turn of the century the vessel was lengthened and operated as a ketch off the coast of South Australia, transporting salt and gypsum.By 1959, the wind had left the sails of the trade economy and the Amphibious became a showboat in Port Adelaide; however, by 1978 it had sunk after having sat unused for seven years.
"We even got married in Echuca on the wharf and had our reception on the MV Mary Ann — we both love this," she said."While we bought it as a family boat to start with," Mr Horvath said, "we thought why have something so nice and so beautiful kept hidden for such a small group to use?" "Whereas the Amphibious just sat there for 15 to 20 years and didn't have a cent coming in, before it eventually sunk."Mr Wickham said the problem with maintaining these boats was money and public perception.
Historical Boats PV Amphibious Renmark Peter Teakle Horvath Riverland Murray Adelaide Sailing Paddle Steamer Wooden Boats Boats
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