Men’s summer commute
A SKETCH of the arrival of a paddle steamer at the pier at Queenscliff in the 1800s threw up some interesting questions. The sketch carried the following caption: ‘Seaside sketches — Arrival of The Husbands’ Boat at Queenscliff. See page 26.’
Husbands’ Boat? Did this imply the bay steamers were in some way segregated? Were some steamers set aside only for married men? And see page 26 of what publication?
A quick search on the internet for the term husbands’ boat revealed just how many husbands, indeed, own their own boat. But add the word Queenscliff and up came Trove with all the answers.
According to Trove, the sketch had appeared in the Illustrated Australian News on February 25, 1874, and showed a large group of women and children waiting as the male passengers on the paddle steamer started to come ashore.
The blazing sun emblem on the side of the paddle steamer helped identify the steamer as the Williams, which had entered bay service in 1872.
The magazine article went on to explain in colourful terms that during the hot summer, when the “burning breezes blow mercilessly on parched up Melbourne”, the wives and children of city gentlemen spend the summer months at the seaside in Queenscliff.
The article said that a steamer, known as The Husbands’ Boat, departed Melbourne every Saturday afternoon during summer “with its freight of lords of creation” bound for Queenscliff, and returned these same passengers back to Melbourne on the Monday morning in time for the resumption of business.
“Newly made brides, who see dear Charles or Fred afar off, and hardly yet escaped from the glamour of the honeymoon, wave their gauzy handkerchiefs as the boat nears the pier,” the article said.
“And the children, too, the dainty little maidens so anxious to kiss dear papa, and the hardy boys bubbling over with excitement to tell him … of the fun they had at Barwon Heads or Point Lonsdale, where they went to a picnic on Wednesday.’’ Contact: peterjohnbegg@gmail.com