Originally published November 8, 1948
SEVENTY-six-year-old River Murray paddle steamer Gem sank in about 15 feet of water after striking a snag six miles below Cal Lal, NSW, on Saturday.
A passenger, who was found deceased in his cabin soon afterwards, was believed to have died from shock.
The other 47 passengers, the captain and crew of nine, we’re all brought safely ashore by rowing boats.
On her way to Morgan from Mildura, the Gem, the largest ship on the river, stopped at Scottie’s Woodpile, four miles below Cal Lal, just after 7am.
Cal Lal is about 60 miles below Wentworth.
A few minutes later the Gem swung out and began to pick up speed, assisted by a fairly strong current.
She had travelled less than 50 yards when she struck the snag, part of a fallen tree which is thought to have burst her planking somewhere in the forward hold, on the port side.
When she had travelled about a mile, the Gem began to submerge at the bows and was found to be shipping water fast in the forward hold.
As she lost way, the master (Captain G. Makins) swung the ship to port and attempted to navigate her into shallow water on the Victorian side.
About 30 yards from the bank the Gem struck, bow first, and began to settle in about 15 feet of water.
Realising that it was not possible to get nearer the bank, Captain Makins ordered a line to be taken ashore and fastened to a tree to prevent the ship from slipping into deeper water.
Passengers were told to prepare to abandon ship.
A dinghy, with room for six people, was used to transport passengers from the boat to the NSW side of the river.
Women passengers were taken off first, while the men remained to gather belongings and help salvage furniture and other articles from the lower deck.
Within half an hour the Gem sank to within a foot or so of the middle deck and then began slowly settling in to the mud.
Neighboring families sent bread, butter, tea and a dressed sheep for the passengers and crew and made their homes available to people suffering the effects of shock from the experience.
