The Jumna

The original 81 1/2 feet long PT Jumna was built in 1884 and between 1890 to 1914 was the workhorse of the Littlehampton Harbour, West Sussex, where she towed sailing ships in and out of harbour. From 1915 Jumna worked at various places until in 1925 she was scrapped at Grimsby, Lincolnshire .

Reverend Canon R.E. Davies migrated as a child to Australia in 1911 and settled east of Manjimup at Perup with his family. In 1934 he was appointed Rector of St Mary's Anglican Church, Busselton. It seemed obvious to Rev Davies that the Vasse River passing close by the Rectory was a gift from God and perfect for boating. This and his memories from Littlehampton inspired him to build this miniature version of the PT Jumna steam boat. At first his own Jumna had a portable engine and boiler which could be removed from the hull and used elsewhere if required. The feathering paddlewheels enabled the boat to pass through the weed which grew in the Vasse River in summer.

Rev Davies started work on his project in 1936 and after much blood, sweat and tears he undertook initial Vasse River steam trials in December 1939. In early 1940 Jumna made her maiden voyage down the Vasse to Cattle Chosen. This trip took 36 minutes and Rev Davies was accompanied by local business man Arthur Wilson and his son Barry. Later improvements to the vessel included alterations to the hull and a more powerful boiler and engine that cut this time down to 33 minutes.

Jumna became a local celebrity and on 6th October 1946 was inspected by Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. She continued to cruise the Vasse River until her departure from Busselton in September 1955, when she moved to Boyanup with Rev Davies and his family. Jumna remained there in storage until returned to Busselton in 1961 and was stored at their Strelly Street home, appropriately named "Littlehampton". Rev Davies then built a new shed and slipway on the opposite bank of the Vasse and Jumna was moved there on 4th October 1962. She first sailed again on 10th December 1962 after which she made several short trips. She had her last long cruise on the Vasse River on 6th January 1963 for an ABC TV "Weekend Magazine" documentary. On 9th July 1963 severe floods inundated Jumna's shed damaging her hull and she never sailed again. In 1965 Jumna was donated to the Busselton Museum, where she was restored and has lived ever since as a much loved, world renowned part of our collection.