Helene Sutherland introduces her book The Salvage of the Alexander Arbuthnot.
On Saturday 3rd June 1972 a small convoy of vehicles and equipment from Shepparton drove through the Barmah Forest to a very specific location on the Murray River. The wreck of the paddle steamer Alexander Arbuthnot lay in her watery grave in this very spot. A remarkable salvage story was about to unfold. Built in Koondrook in 1916, the Alexander Arbuthnot worked the river until one night in 1947 when the river rose sharply, and she listed and sank. Join us for the story of recovery and restoration and the small, enthusiastic team of people led by John Sutherland that made it possible.
Helene Sutherland, wife of John Sutherland, introduces her book The Salvage of the Alexander Arbuthnot. While this salvage story takes place just over 50 years ago the book is filled with stories of people, places and the history of not just the salvage operation but the paddle steamers’ life over more than 100 years.
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