Description
The trade along the Murray, Darling and Murrumbidgee Rivers was of paramount importance for over half a century. Land was settled, townships developed and an inland economy flourished.
This collection of contemporary stories has been brought together as a snapshot to illustrate the extent and complexity of the rivertrade and the people who participated in and depended on it.
The rivers not only supported the large cargo boats and their barges, they also hosted many smaller trading boats that would run regular schedules calling at small riverside towns, settlements and station properties supplying all range of necessities and taking orders for delivery on the following trip.
It was not all hard work, the rivers became a magnet for recreation. Large passenger boats such as the Gem, Marion and Ruby would convey passengers between river towns and also on relaxing cruises for ‘Lazy Carefree Holidays’.
These stories were written at the time and they now survive as manuscripts in libraries, in digitised newspapers or in long out of print publications. Many were written on board the travelling riverboats while the vessels were underway with the sights, sounds and smells of the operating vessels seeping through into the text and atmosphere created through the various authors’ words.
Specifications:
Publisher: Navarine Publishing
Year: 2024
Format: Paperback
Pages: 150pp
ISBN: 9780645708677
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