PS ''Decoy'' is a privately owned

paddle steamer A paddle steamer is a steamship or steamboat powered by a steam engine driving paddle wheels to propel the craft through the water. In antiquity, paddle wheelers followed the development of poles, oars and sails, whereby the first uses were wh ...

. Built in 1986 in

Fremantle Fremantle () () is a port city in Western Australia located at the mouth of the Swan River (Western Australia), Swan River in the metropolitan area of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth. The Western Australi ...

, ''Decoy'' is a replica of the original paddle steamer that operated on the Swan River in the 1870s. She was used in the filming of the television mini-series ''

Cloudstreet ''Cloudstreet'' is a novel by Australian writer Tim Winton published in 1991. It chronicles the lives of two working-class families, the Pickles and the Lambs, who come to live together in a large house called Cloudstreet in Perth, Western Au ...

'', which was based on Tim Winton's novel.

History

The ''Decoy'' was built by Australian Ship Building Industries in Fremantle in 1986, a replica of the original paddle steamer that operated on the Swan River in the 1870s. Chas Cox purchased The ''Decoy'' in the 1990s and upgraded the vessel. He put it up for sale for $1.85 million in 2011 and it was relaunched by Western Australian owners in 2015. The vessel was significantly refurbished in 2024 under the stewardship of a longstanding Western Australian family, held through their private family office. The acquisition reflects the family's ongoing commitment to development in Western Australia and is now available for private charters, corporate functions, memorial services, weddings and ticketed events. www.psdecoy.com.au

Engines

''Decoy'' is powered by a 1905 Ransome Sims and Jefferies twin cylinder steam engine, which was salvaged and restored from Bunnings engineering workshops in Manjimup.PS Decoy Website
(accessed:09-12-2012) The engine was totally rebuilt in 1986 with a new oil fired burner and maxitherm boiler fitted.''Rescue bid for historic paddler''

The West Australian ''The West Australian'' is the only locally edited daily newspaper published in Perth, Western Australia. It is owned by Seven West Media (SWM), as is the state's other major newspaper, ''The Sunday Times''. It is the second-oldest continuousl ...

(accessed:09-12-2012)

Service

Holding a place dear in the hearts of all Western Australians and visitors alike, the Fremantle registered paddle steamer is berthed at the Mends Street Jetty in South Perth. Visitors to the Perth Zoo are likely to see the vessel as they make their way from the jetty. Swan River cruises take the form of private charter, being corporate and private functions (Christmas parties, staff parties, birthday parties, memorial services), weddings and publicly ticketed events. Sunday afternoon jazz - and other styles of music - cruises have long been a part of Perth culture which continues to this day. Operation of the vessel is conducted without the support of public funds and charitable donations, hence relies on revenue from private hire to keep the vessel in operation.

References

External links

PS Decoy Official Website

PS Decoy Official Facebook Page
{{DEFAULTSORT:Decoy Paddle steamers of Australia Ships of Western Australia Swan River (Western Australia) 1986 ships Replica ships