102-Year-Old Paddleboat Rises Again in Outback Queensland

When retired carpenter John Higgins first stepped inside the waterlogged Pride of the Murray, he compared it to restoring Noah's Ark. But despite six months submerged in muddy river water, the 102-year-old paddleboat is proving that old-world craftsmanship can outlast almost anything.

The historic vessel captured hearts across Australia in 2022 when it was trucked nearly 1,750 kilometers from Victoria to Longreach, Queensland. Just months later, heartbreak struck when the paddleboat sank in the Thomson River in March 2023.

For half a year, it sat beneath brown waters while owner Richard Kinnon of Outback Pioneers wondered if the dream was over. When they finally raised it in September 2023, the real surprise began.

"They were using good timber at the time, timber that you can't get now," Higgins said. While some chipboard materials "were like Weet-Bix" when removed, the core timber structure held strong in ways modern materials never could.

After three years of setbacks, restoration work finally began this month. Kinnon launched a public fundraising campaign after the sinking, and the response overwhelmed him.

"We went underground for a bit, but my office just put out a couple of posts on social media, and the response has been absolutely huge," he said. "People are just sitting there wanting to know what's going to happen."

Why This Inspires

The Pride of the Murray represents something bigger than just a boat. It's a testament to quality craftsmanship from an era when things were built to last, and to communities that refuse to let history sink.

Joshua Uphof, who helps sand and reseal the timber decking, followed the boat's journey from his former home in Echuca to Longreach. "It's just such an iconic boat," he said, embodying the emotional connection thousands feel to this vessel's survival story.

While tourists won't cruise down the river, they'll soon walk its decks again by late May. Long-term plans include transforming the paddleboat into a restaurant, coffee shop, and concert venue.

For Higgins, the work feels sacred: "You know, it's like mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but on a wooden boat."