Introduction

Percy Ward of Tea Gardens, longtime secretary of the Port Stephens Waterside Workers Federation, kept a journal from January to September 1924. It documents details of the steamships that plied the timber trade in Port Stephens in that period. The names of the waterside workers that loaded the ships are meticulously recorded with the remuneration paid to them.

Preserved by Anne Johnson of Tea Gardens, the journal is an important record of the early commercial marine operations within Port Stephens.

Before the Second World War, Port Stephens was a key timber supplier to both domestic and overseas customers, especially during the 1920s and 1930s. The size of the steam ships that transported timber was around 300 gross tons gross.

A sample journal entry for the steamship SS Eugowra showing the names of waterside workers employed to load the ship and the remuneration paid to them.

This paper is a of summary of the twenty-eight journal entries made by Percy Ward for the period from January – September 1924.

Further Information about the Activities of the Waterside Workers Federation at Port Stephens is published at this link on the website.

Percy Ward – Secretary of the Port Stephens Waterside Federation

Percy Ward was born in Hamiliton, Newcastle, in 1892. He served as an engine room worker on a merchant ship during World War I and spent 14 years working as a coppersmith at Walsh Island, near Newcastle.

He was a longtime Secretary of the Port Stephens Waterside Federation and was known for his precision in financial matters

Percy Ward – long serving Secretary of the Port Stephens Waterside Workers Federation

He recalled that the last timber ship left Port Stephens on 5 May 1954, owned by the Union Steam Ship Company. He also noted periods when two ships at a time would load thousands of tons of timber as his branch had 165 members and remembered 5,000-ton vessels carrying timber to New Zealand and other states. Previously, sailing ships collected timber for export, and motor launches transported wharfmen to Corlette Point and Salamander Bay worksites.

Percy died on 25 August 1959, aged 67 years.

A Summary of the 28 Journal Entries as recorded by Percy Ward

All the vessels were steamships, as designated by “SS”. The dates of each entry are shown, followed by the names of the ships’ agents, stevedores and the waterside workers who loaded the respective ships. The remuneration paid to each worker is not shown here.

1. SS Kurow – 15 January 1924
Agent: Union S. S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: H. Miller
Waterside Workers: H. Fletcher; R. Asquith; K. Hill; T. Sheedy; L. Hanlon; J. McDonald; T. Taylor; H. Coady; J. Deacon; E. Burke; M. Ping; L. Leacy; J. Hyde; J. Forbes R. Hill; S. Hill; C. Maytom; C. Hough; H. Burrows; T. Hayelgrove; K. Duncan C. Maslin; F. Gilhaor; A. Evans; C. Telhlaar; A. McCrae; C. Bryan; J. Franklin; T. Porter; B. Legge; P. Ward; P. Griffinberg; A. Goldsmith; A. McCrae, jun.; P. Dowling; L. Perrin.

SS Kurow

2. SS Eugowra  –  28 January 1924
Agent: Patrick S. S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: J. Kelly.
Waterside Workers: A. McCrae. sen.; J. Franklin; S. Hill; R. Asquith; J. Forbes; K. Forbes; A. McCrae; E. Burke; C. Maytom; T. Porter; P. Kard; L. Leacy; T. Hayelgrove; C. Maslen; S. Sheather; J. Deacon; L. Shanlon; J. Hyde; C. Gelhlaar; L. Perrin; P. Griffenburg; A. Evans.

SS Eugowra

3. SS Echunga [Euchunga] – 12 February 1924
Agent: Partick S.S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: J. Kitty
Waterside Workers: H. Fletcher; A. A. Jeffery; R. Asquith; A. McCrae, sen.; P. Ward; T. Porter; A. McCrae; K. Forbes T. Hayelgrove; C. Maslin; L. Leary; E. Burke; S. Hill; J. Franklin; K. Hill; P. Griffenburg; L. Perrin; T. Sheedy; C. Telhaar; A. Evans; L. Hanlon; C. Maytom; J. Forbes; K. Hollis.

SS Echunga

4. SS Kaituna – 16 February 1924
Stevedore in charge: H. Miller
Waterside Workers: A. McCrae, sen.; J. Franklin; A. McCrae; E. White; P. Dowling; P. Ward; T. Porter;L. Perrin; P. Griffenburg; A. Goldsmith; H. Fletcher; C. Gelhlhaar; A. A. Jeffrey; C. Bryan; H. Ripley; K. Forbes; E. Burke; B. T. Legge; E. Forbes; J. Hough; C. Worth; H. Burrows; P. McGrath.

SS Kaituna

5. SS Joan Craig – 28 February 1924
Agent: Lamb and Co.
Engager in charge: W. Ringland
Waterside Workers: A. McCrae, sen.; C. Gehlhaar; J. Sheather; E. White; A. Blanch; P. Ward; L. Perrin; P. Griffenburg; C. Mayton; J. Forbes; J. Hough; S. Hill; R. Asquith; A. McCrae; T. Sheedy; J. Deacon; J. McDonald; K. Hollis; E. Burke; T. Porter; B. T. Legge; P. McGrath.

SS Joan Craig [Australian National Maritime Museum]

6. SS Kurow – 1 March 1924
Agent: Union S. S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: H. Miller
Waterside Workers: A. McCrae, sen.; R, Asquith; S. Hill; B. T. Legge; E. White; T. Porter; P. Griffenburg; L Perrin; A. Goldsmith; P. Ward; H. Fletcher; J. Hough; L. Leacy; J. Franklin; W. Forbes; H. Burrows; A. McCrae; P. Dowling; E. Forbes; S. Sheather; C. Tehlhaar; H. Ripley; F. Tehlhaar; P. Dowling; J. Forbes; J. Sheather; W. Ripley; C. Bryan; E. Burke; C. Hough; M. A. Blanch; W. Duncan; A. Russell.

7. SS Gabriella – 10 March 1924
Agent: Lamb & Co.
Engager in charge: Smedley
Waterside Workers: A. P. Hughes; E. O’Connor; C. Maslin; T. O’Connor; P. McGrath; J. Conners.

SS Gabriella [National Library of New Zealand]

8. SS Kaituna – 20 March 1924
Agent: Union S.S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: H. Miller
Waterside Workers: A. McCrae, sen.; R. Asquith; J. Franklin; E. White; P. Dowling; H. Fletcher; T. Porter; A. Goldsmith; A. Griffenburg; L. Perrin; P. Ward; C. Gehlhaar; S. Hill; A. A. Jeffery; L. Leacy; C. Mayton; B. Legge; C. Hough; F. Genlhaur; A. Evans; M. Ping; H. Holbert; K. Forbes.

9. SS Omana  – 5 April 1924
Agent: Lamb and Co.
Engager in charge: W. Ringland
Waterside Workers: A. McCrae, sen.; H. Ripley; S. Hill; A. Blanch; K. Coady; T. Porter; E. Burke; P. Ward; P. Dowling; H. Holbert; C. Gehlhaar; L. Perrin; L. Leacy; C. Bryan; H. Priestly; H. Burrows; S. Manton; M. Hough; A. Russell; E. Forbes; A. P. Hughes; M. Ping; K. Forbes; H. Fletcher; R. Asquith; J. Franklin; J. Forbes; J. Hough; C. Maytom; P. Griffenburg; K. Hollis; T. Sheedy; J. McDonald; E. White.

SS Omana

10. SS Urilla – 19 April 1924
Agent: Adelaide S. S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: W. Elliott
Waterside Workers: A. McCrae, sen.; C, Bryan; J. Franklin; S. Hill; J. Forbes; H. Fletcher; T. Porter; P. Ward; H. Holbert; R. Asquith; L. Lacey.

 SS Urilla – 1965 tons

11. SS Katoa – 6 May 1924
Agent: Union S. S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: H. Miller
Waterside Workers:  A. McCrae, sen.; R. Asqui; J. Franklin; E. White; P. Dowling; P. Ward; H. Fletcher; T. Porter; C. Mayton P. Griffenburg; A. Goldsmith; S. Hill; L. Leary; H. Ripley; A. Evans; F. Yelhlham; J. Hough; J. Duncan; B. T. Legge; E. Burke; E. Forbes; J. C. Harris; J. Forbes; C. Bryan; W. Ripley; P. McGrath; C. Hough; K. Forbes; M. Ping; M. Cough; A. Russell; K. Fidden; C. Telhaer; T. Shady; W. Coady; J. MacDonald; S. Manton; K. Duncan; A. Blanch; H. Davey; J. McGrarth; H. Holbert; R. Hill; H. Priestly.

SS Katoa

12. SS Joan Craig – 23 May1924
Agent: Lamb and Co.
Engager in charge: W. Ringland
Waterside Workers: A. McCrae, sen.; R. Asquith; H. Davey; E. Burke; E. White; P. Ward; J. Duncan; P. McGrath; C. Gehlhaar; H. Asquith; L. Perrin; A. P. Hughes; H. Priestly; W. Ripley; T. O’Connor; P. Griffenburg; C. Hough; T. Potter; C. Maytom; W. Forbes; C. Hough.

13. SS Ihumata – 23 May 1924
Agent: Lamb and Co.
Engager in charge: W Ringland
Waterside workers: A. Blanch; C. Bryan; H. Ripley; L. Leacy; F. Yenlhaar; M. Ping; A. Goldsmith; P. Dowling; A. Evans; A. Russell; J. McGrath; K. Fidden; H. Holbert.

14. SS Euchunga [Echunga] – 2 June 1924
Agent: Patrick S. S. Co
Stevedore in charge: J Kelly
Waterside Workers: T. O’Connor; A. Russell; S. Manton; C. Yumley; J. E. Worth; J. W. Pack; A. C. Olive; E. C. Greentree; E. Morante; A. Ward; H. Armitage; C. Sheather; J. Fenton; G. Godwin; S. Worth; P. Elbourne; S. McGrath; H. T. Porter.

15. SS Koromiko – 2 June 1924
Agent: Union S. S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: H. Miller
Waterside Workers: A. McCrae, sen.; J. Franklin; R. Asquith; E. White; P. Dowling; H. Fletcher; P. Ward; T. Porter; L. Perrin; P. Griffenburg; A. Goldsmith; C. Gehlhaar; T. Sheedy; H. Hill; J. Lund; H. Duncan; H. Coady; T. Asquith; C. Worth; J. McDonald; A. P. Hughes; P. Walker; J. Lambourne; A. Blanch; C. Bryan; H. Ripley; J. McGrath; M. Ping; J. C. Harris; C. Mayton; C. McGrath; B. T. Legge; T. Duncan; H. Holbert.

SS Koromiko

16. SS Eugowra – 16 June 1924
Agent: Patrick S. S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: J. Kelly
Waterside Workers: A. McCrae, sen.; H. Priestly; H. Ripley; J. McGrath; L. Perrin; A. Blanch; J. Duncan; H. Forbes; A. Goldsmith; C. White; E. Burke; A. P. Hughes; A. Evans; S. Hill; C. Bryant; J. Franklin; L. Leacy; T. O’Connor; H. Fletcher; H. Duncan; T. Porter; P. Griffenburg; C. Maytom; T. Sheedy; C. Hawley; J. E. Worth; P. Ward; C. Tehlhaar; M. Hough; P. McGrath; E. O’Connor; F. Tehloar; J. Russell; S. Manton; C. Hough; W. Hill; P. Walker; J. McDonald; J. Lund; J. Lambourne; H. Coady; L. Hanlon; M. Ping; C. Worth; H. Collis; A. Ward.

17. SS Kaituna – 1 July 1924
Agent: Union S. S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: H. Miller
Waterside Workers: A. McCeae; R. Asquith; J. Franklin; P. Ward; T. Porter; H. Fletcher; A. Goldsmith; L. Perrin; P. Griffenburg; C. Gehlhaar; A. Evans; J. Duncan; L. Leary; H. Priestly; H. Forbes; E. Greentree; E. Burke; J. Hough; C. Maytom; B. Legge; W. Duncan; C. Yumley; A. Blanch; H. Ripley; C. Worth; A. Hughes; J. McGrath; K. Fidden; C. Hough; T. O’Connor; M. Hough; P. Walker; T. Sheedy; J. Lund; H. Hill; J. McDonald; L. Hanlon;  T. Taylor; T. Asquith; J. Lambourne; A. Olive; H. Coady; D. Pack; C. Gehlhaar.

18. SS Ihumata – 7 July 1924
Agent: Lamb and Co.
Stevedore in charge: W. Ringland
Waterside Workers: A. McCrae; H. Fletcher; R. Asquith; A. Evans; C. Gehlhaar; P. Ward; T. Porter; A. Goldsmith; P. Griffenburg; L. Perrin; S. Sheather; A. Blanch; H. Ripley; C. Horth; A. P. Hughes; J. McIntyre; P. McGrath; K. Fidden; M. Hough; T. O’Connor; E. Hough; P. Walker.

19. SS Kaitoki – 7 July 1924
Agent: Union S. S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: H. Miller
Waterside Workers: S. Hill; H. Priestly; L. Leacy; W. Duncan; J. E. Worth; E. Burke; J. Hough; E. White; J. Duncan; E. C. Greentree; B. Legge; C. Maytom; J. Franklin; A. Blanch; H Ripley; C. Worth; T. O’Connor; M. Hough; P. McGrath; J. McGrath; P. Walker; P. Dowling; K. Fidden; C. Hough; E. Morant; C. Tumley; T. Sheedy; J. Lund; H. Hill; J. Lambourn; L. Hanlon; H. Coady; T. Taylor; A. Olive; D. Pack; T. Asquith; J. McDonald; C. Gehlhaar; A. McCrae; J. Franklin; R. Asquith; A.  Evans; P. Ward; H. Fletcher; T. Porter; A. Goldsmith; L. Perrin; P. Griffenburg.

20. SS Kauri –  23 July 1924
Agent: Union S. S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: H. Miller
Waterside Workers: A. McCrae; J. Franklin; R. Asquith; A. Blanch; P. Dowling; H. Fletcher; T. Porter; L. Perrin; A. Goldsmith; P. Ward; P. Griffenburg; S. Hill; L. Leacy; H. Priestly; K. Fiddina; E. Burke; J. Duncan; J. Hough; B. Legge; A. Evans; C. Gehlhaar; C. Maytom; T. Sheedy; H. Hill J. Lund; J. McDonald; T. Homer; J. Mitchell; L. Hanlon; H. Coady; J. Hyde; A. Olive; D. Pack; G. Taylor; J. Deacon; T. Asquith;J. Lambourne.

21. SS Melbourne – 4 August 1924
Agent: Patrick S. S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: J. Kelly
Waterside Workers: C. Bryan; E. Burke; A. P. Hughes; E. O’Connor; T. O’Connor; C. Gehlhaar; A. Evans; J. Hough; C. Maytom; E. Morante; T. P. Godwin; B. T. Legge; C. Tamley; H. Coady; H. Hill; J. Deacon; T. Sheedy; J. McDonald; L. Hanlon; T. Taylor; T. Asquith; J. Lambourne; J. Lund; A. C. Olive; D. H. Pack; J. Mitchell; T. Homer.

22. SS Kurow – 13 August 1924
Agent: Union S. S. Co
Stevedore in charge: H. Miller
Waterside Workers: A. McCrae; J. Franklin; C. Bryan; A. Blanch; P. Dowling; H. Fletcher L. Perrin; E. White; P. Griffenburg; P. Ward; A. Goldsmith; H. Priestly; S. Hill; R. Asquith; L. Leacy; A. Evans; C. Gehlhaar; J. Hough; C. Maytom; E. Burke; K. Fidden; C. Tumley; J. Duncan; J. McGrath; C. Worth; E. Greentree; E. O’Connor; H. Forbes; P. McGrath; C. Hough; E. Morante; T. Godwin; J. Worth; B. J. Legge.

23. SS Koromiko – 3 September 1924
Agent: Union S. S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: H. Slater
Waterside Workers:  A. Fletcher; C. Horth; H. Priestly; J. Duncan; T. Sheedy; T. Mogork; J. Deacon; J. McDonald; T. Taylor; H. Coady; H. Hollis; A. McCrae; J. Frankin; J. P. Dowling; A. Blanch; E. White T. Porter; P. Ward; L. Perrin; A. Goldsmith; P. Griffenburg; S. Hill; L. Leacy; J. Hough; H. Forbes; C. Hough; E. Burke; H. Duncan; A. Evans; J. Sheather L. Hanlon; T. Asquith; J. McGrath; E. Greentree; H. Hill; A. C. Olive; D. Pack; T. Homer; H. Glover; E. Bagnall; J. Sproule; F. J. English J. Mitchell; T. Godwin; P. McGrath; J. E. Horth; E. Morante; K. Porter; K. Fidden; P. Walker; S. Manton; M. Ping; J. Lund; J. Lambourne.

24. SS Katoa – 16 September 1924
Agent: Union S. S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: H. Slater
Waterside Workers: A. McCrae; J. Franklin; J. P. Harris; A. Blanch; P. Dowling; T. Porter; P. Ward; C. White; l. Perrin; A. Goldsmith; P. Griffenburg; S. Hill; C. Worth; L. Leacy; S. Manton; J. Duncan; E. Burke; C. Hough; J. Hough; T. Godwin; H. Duncan; A. Evans; H. Fletcher; H. Priestly; J. Sheather; H. Forbes; M. Hough K. Fidden; M. Ping; J. McGrath; P. McGrath; C. Morante; J. C. Worth; C. Bryan; H. Davey; C. Greentree; H. Porter; H. Hough; L. Settree; J. Lambourne; H. Glover; C. O’Connor; T. Sheedy; A. Olive; H. Hill; L. Hanlon; H. Coady; J. Sproule; T. Mogork; J. McDonald; T. Asquith; T. Taylor; H. Hollis.

25. SS Kurow – 18 September 1924
Agent: Union S. S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: H. Slater
Waterside Workers: A. McCrae; J. Franklin; J. P. Harris; A. Blanch; P. Ward; E. White; T. Porter; L. Perrin; A. Goldsmith; P. Griffenburg; C. Asquith; H. Fletcher; S. Hill; C. Worth; L. Leacy; J. Duncan; S. Manton; J. Hough; E. Burke; T. Godwin; K. Duncan; A. Evans; J. McGrath; H. Priestly; J. Sheathet; H. Forbes; M. Hough; C. Morante; K. Fidden; P. McGrath; P. Dowling; M. Ping; J. E. Worth; T. Sheedy; A. Olive; W. Hill; W. Coady; T. Asquith; l. Hanlon; T. Mogork T. Taylor; J. Sproule; J. McDonald.

26. SS Iron Crown – 26 September 1924
Agent: Scott Fell
Stevedore in charge: R. Tyson
Waterside Workers: A. McCrae; J. Franklin; J. P. Harris; C. Kennaird; A. Blanch; P. Ward; J. Lund; D. Pack; S. Sheather; A. Goldsmith; L. Perrin; C. White; C. O’Connor; P. Walker; H. Fletcher; H. Davey; R. Asquith; C. Bryan; P. Griffenburg; T. Porter; C. Antony; C. Maytom; C. Gumley; C. Greentree; J. Lambourne; L. Leacy; J. Mitchell.

SS Iron Crown

27. SS Kawatiki – 23 October 1924
Agent: Union S. S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: H. Slater
Waterside Workers: S. Hill; C. Worth; L. Leacy; J. Hough; H. Porter; C. Burke; C. Hough; C. Greentree; F. Gehlhaar; A. Evans; J. Deacon; A. McCrae; C. Kennaird; J. Franklin; P. Dowling; A. Blanche; T. Porter; P. Griffenburg; L. Perrin; P. Ward; R. Asquith; F. English; C. Giklhaar; H. Fletcher; H. Priestly; J. Sheather; H. Forbes; L. Setree; C. Maytom; K. Fidden; P. McGrath J. C. Worth; C. Morante; J. Lambourne; D. Pack; T. Sheedy; W. Hill; A. Olive; W. Hollis; H. Coady; J. McDonald; T. Asquith; J. Lund; G. Taylor; J. Sproule; T. Mogork.

28. SS Kurow  – 1924
Agent: Union S. S. Co.
Stevedore in charge: H. Slater
Waterside Workers: A. McCrae; J. Franklin; C. Kennaird; P. Ward; L. Perrin; P. Griffenburg; R. Asquith; T. Porter; P. Dowling; A. Blanch; P. McGrath; H. Fletcher; J. Sheather; C. Morante; K. Fidden; J. C. Worth; J. Lambourne; D. Pack; F. English; C. Kayton; H. Forbes; C. Setree; S. Hill; L. Leacy; C. Worth; J. Hough; H. Porter; C. Burke; C. Hough; C. Greentree; F. Gehlhaar; A. Evans; J. Deacon; T. Sheedy; H. Hill; A. Olive; H. Hollis; H. Coady; J. McDonald; T. Asquith; J. Lund; G. Taylor; J. Sprouly; T. Mogork.

Concluding Comments

This paper supplements the material published at the following links on this website:

Early History of the Timber Industry in the Myall and Port Stephens Areas.

Large Trading Ships Enter Port Stephens

Researched and compiled by Kevin McGuinness

July 2025