The Koopa
New Excursion Steamer
Arrival in Brisbane
With both masts gaily decorated with flags, the new excursion steamer Koopa, which was recently built in Scotland for the Brisbane excursion traffic, looked a graceful and picturesque sight as she steamed up the river and berthed at the railway wharf, South Brisbane, about 5 pm on Sunday. The advent of the Koopa's arrival in Brisbane had attracted a good deal of attention and a large number of persons gathered at the Brisbane Tug Company's wharf to inspect her on her arrival. However, they were disappointed, for the Koopa, as mentioned, steamed further up the river and berthed on the south side. Captain R.D.Taylor, who brought the Koopa to Australia from the place where she was built, reported that on leaving leith on October 20 very heavy gales were encountered, and when about half way through the English Channel the vessel was obliged to shelter off Margate. A few hours afterwards, the voyage was resumed, but such a severe SSW gale and high seas prevailed that the Koopa was later on forced to take refuge in Portsmouth Harbour, where she remained for two days. Crossing the Bay of Biscay both the Koopa's boilers were put into operation, and the vessel showed a fine turn of speed. In one day the Koopa covered 332 miles, and during the next two days 328 and 290 miles respectively. Once into the Mediterranean the voyage was smooth and uneventful. Gibralta, Port Said, Perim, Colombo, Batavia (now Jakarta) Thursday Island, Cooktown, and Townsville were called at for the purpose of obtaining coal and water. During the major portion of the voyage the Koopa travelled with only one of her boilers working, and made the excellent speed of 11 knots per hour. Passing the Hamilton Reach the Koopa was met by the Greyhound which carried a number of officials and their friends. Dr. Page was amongst those who were on the Greyhound , and who boarded the new vessel. Medical inspection being over a clean bill of health was given and the Koopa berthed without any trouble. "For the class of ship she is," said Captain taylor, in speaking of the vessel, "The Koopa behaved remarkably well when she struck the heavy gales after leaving Leith, and the passengers need have no fear when travelling by her, as her seaworthiness has been severely tested , and she has acquitted herself splendidly. Although she experienced so much heavy weather she did not sustain any damage." Captain Johnson has been offered and has accepted the command of the new vessel, which made her first trip to Redcliffe yesterday afternoon.
Brisbane Courier
26.12.1911
The Koopa post WWII