31st March 1831

While Allan Cunningham sailed toward England, on this day, 31st March 1831, the first steamboat built and run in Australia, SS Surprise ¹, was launched from Millard’s slipways in Neutral Bay (east of Hayes Street) in 1831. This ship was to be the first steam-driven vessel on Sydney Harbour but it was pipped by the arrival from England of the Sophia Jane in the same year, while its engines were still awaiting installation. ²

1. Source: Wikipedia[↩]
2. Source: Customs Marine Depot Conservation Management Plan and Archaeological Assessment Draft Report. December 2007 Australia[↩]