"The impossible we do straight away, miracles take a little longer" John Sutherland
Helene Sutherland's book “The Salvage of the Alexander Arbuthnot 1972-1973”
Summary: The Salvage of the PS Alexander Arbuthnot is a remarkable true story of determination, ingenuity, and community spirit along the Murray River. The Alexander Arbuthnot was the last paddle steamer built at Koondrook, built in 1916 for the Arbuthnot Sawmills during the river trade era. After decades of service hauling redgum logs and charcoal, she sank in 1947 near Yielima - believed lost forever beneath the willows. In 1972, a small group of volunteers from Shepparton, led by John Sutherland, set out to do the impossible: raise the sunken paddle steamer after 25 years under mud and water. Using cranes with an unconventional lifting system and sheer persistence, they achieved what experts - including the army - had deemed impossible. This beautifully detailed account by Helene Sutherland captures the challenges, humour, and triumphs of the year-long salvage, culminating in the vessel’s triumphant return to the Murray and eventual restoration at Echuca. A tribute to Australian innovation and mateship, this book celebrates the people who refused to give up on a piece of river history and brought the PS Alexander Arbuthnot back to life.
Softcover 46 page book published 2024, includes colour photo plates purchase from Edible Eden Design.
Self published by Helene Sutherland, printed in Shepparton, VIC, Australia,