Introduction

The Salamander was a wooden drogher built at Tuncurry in 1921 for the large timber merchants, Allan Taylor and Company. This company had timber cutting and milling operations at various localities in New South Wales, including Winda Woppa, Tea Gardens and on the Myall River.

Today the hulk of the Salamander lies abandoned on the northern side of Witts Island, Port Stephens.

This paper summarises the operational life of the vessel.

Salamander under construction – 1920

The Daily Commercial News and Shipping List of 15 July 1920, page 4, reported on the Annual General Meeting of Allen Taylor Co., Ltd. This report included the following comment on the building of the Salamander :

‘A new steamer for the Port Stephens trade is being built at Tuncurry and should be ready for commission early next year.’

Drogher ‘Salamander’ at Mayers Point, Myall Lake [Bulahdelah Historical Society]

Drogher ‘Salamander’

Drogher ‘Salamander’

Salamander escapes damage in a severe storm – 1928

The Dungog Chronicle of 22 June 1928, page 4, reported:

‘The droghers “Ability” and “Salamander” which were moored along the front [at Tea Gardens] had narrow escapes, especially the former as she had just pulled out the mooring post and there was a danger of her smashing into the s.s. “Reliance” when Capt. Adolphson got her under way, and although handicapped for want of steam managed to get to Monkey Jacket where she went on the flat.’

Crew of Salamander raise alarm of a ship fire – 1928

The Singleton Argus of 25 October 1928, page 1, reported:

‘The passenger steamer Reliance was destroyed by fire at an early hour at Port Stephens on Monday morning. About 3 o’clock the crew of the steamer Salamander noticed flames issuing from the Reliance, which was moored at Thurlow’s wharf, and the whistle of the Salamander sounded an alarm. People hurried, to the wharf, but no fire brigade was available, and nothing could be done.’

‘Reliance’ moored at Tea Gardens

Salamander assists in raising sunken drogher – 1930

The Dungog Chronicle of 9 May 1930, page 1, reported:

‘An attempt to raise the sunken ‘Iluka’ which went down last January proved unsuccessful again. The droghers’ ‘Ability’ and ‘Salamander’ worked during Friday and Saturday. The bow was lifted about four feet. Further efforts proved unavailing, and the ‘Iluka’ remains submerged practically mid-stream in the Myall River [at Bulahdelah], reclining in its old position.’

Salamander loads poles – 1931

The Dungog Chronicle of 21 August 1931, page 5, reported:

‘There was some activity in the timber industry this week. Two droghers, the ‘Salamander’ and the ‘Ability’ loaded poles and girders on behalf of Messrs. Allan Taylor’s mills of Winda Woppa.’

Plaque at Tea Gardens honouring the drogher ‘Ability’ [Author photo]

Salamander assists in raising sunken drogher – 1935

The Dungog Chronicle of 5 April 1935, page 4, reported:

‘The drogher “Fanny,” which sank in Dirty Creek some weeks ago was successfully lifted during the week. The contractors were Messrs. A. Taylor and Co., who used their lighters ‘Ability’ and ‘Salamander’ for the job. The lifting operations were supervised by Mr. George Davies.’

Salamander returns to service after an overhaul – 1946

The Dungog Chronicle of 10 May 1946, page 3, reported:

‘The drogher, ‘Salamander’, paddled her way up the Myall River from Winda Woppa to Tea Gardens on Saturday last, looking spic and span. It was the Salamander’s first appearance for 12 months. She will bring logs down from the timber country surrounding Myall Lakes to Allen Taylor’s mill at Winda Woppa. These picturesque river transports are as welcome as were the coaches of old on our roads. After her general overhaul the Salamander is as good as ever.’

Birdwood Timber Sawmill at Winda Woppa near Tea Gardens

Salamander sinks at Tea Gardens – 1952

The Northern Champion of 8 April 1952, page 4, reported:

‘The log punt, ‘Salamander,’ owned by Allen Taylor & Coy., timber merchants, sank at Tea Gardens last Wednesday afternoon. The punt had been undergoing repairs on the slips at Allen Taylor’s mill at Winda Woppa. On being launched she took in more water than was expected and sank by one end onto the muddy bottom.

She was towed onto the sand bank in midstream and high-pressure pumps were obtained from Newcastle. The punt was raised on Friday morning and is now back on the run. The ‘Salamander,’ which is about 30 years old, is one of a fleet of four steam-driven paddle steamers which ply along the picturesque 40 miles between Tea Gardens and Bulahdelah twice weekly. These punts are always a source of great interest for travellers passing through the district.’

Concluding Comments

The timber industry in the Port Stephens region ceased during the early 1950’s as much of the available timber had been cut. The remaining droghers, such as the Salamander became redundant.

The Salamander was sold to an oysterman and finally abandoned on the shore of Witts Island, Port Stephens.

Hulk of the Salamander [The Maritime Archaeology of Myall Lakes / Tea Gardens: Area Conservation Plan. Heritage Office, June 1999]

The histories of the Iluka, Terara and Brighton steamers, whose hulks also lie in Port Stephens, are found at these links on this website.

Researched and compiled by Kevin McGuinness

June 2024