The River Boat Business

In the late 19th century, the Skinner brothers, George and Chad, established a river transport business on the Tweed River that would become an essential service for the region. Their journey began in 1880 when they started a modest enterprise delivering their homemade cordial to nearby hotels and towns by rowboat. Recognizing the need for a faster and more efficient means of transport, they sought ways to expand their services. In the late 1880s, they won a critical mail contract for delivering mail between Tumbulgum and Tweed Heads and later extended the route to include Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads. This mail contract provided the financial support necessary to invest in a steamboat, thus marking the formal beginnings of their riverboat business.

The Skinner brothers initially rowed the mail to Tweed Heads, a labor-intensive task that demonstrated their dedication. However, their success with the mail contract allowed them to commission their first steamer, the S.S. Florrie, in 1888. The Florrie, a 10-ton vessel, measured 35 feet in length, with an 11-foot beam and a draft of 3 feet 6 inches—perfectly suited for the shallow channels of the Tweed River. Built by Alfred Settree in Sydney, the Florrie was towed to the Tweed River at a cost of £50. To maintain a light weight essential for navigating the river’s shallow waters, the Florrieinitially operated without a deck, leaving it open. The vessel quickly became the first dedicated river steamer on the Tweed, marking a new era in regional transportation.

The Florrie followed a rigorous schedule, starting from Tumbulgum, proceeding to Murwillumbah, and then heading to Tweed Heads before reversing the journey the following day. This bi-daily service proved highly effective, allowing the Skinner brothers to transport not only mail but also passengers and goods. With the growing success of the Florrie, they soon saw the need for additional boats. In 1889, they commissioned the S.S. Pearl, a 45-foot vessel with a 12-foot beam and the same 3 feet 6 inches draft as the Florrie, built by Settree, who traveled to Tumbulgum specifically for the job. The Pearl offered additional capacity, allowing the brothers to handle increasing demand for both passenger and cargo services.

Over the next decade, the Skinner brothers expanded their fleet significantly, solidifying their position as the primary river transport providers in the Tweed region. In 1892, they added the S.S. Uki, built by Settree in Sydney, which allowed them to increase both the frequency and range of their services. The Uki became especially crucial in connecting communities along the river to the growing rail networks that linked Lismore to Murwillumbah and Brisbane to Tweed Heads. This connection made the Skinner fleet a vital transportation link between New South Wales and Queensland, facilitating faster and more reliable movement of people and goods throughout the region.

However, operating on the Tweed River was not without its challenges. The unpredictable currents and shallow waters frequently caused the boats to run aground, requiring passengers to disembark and assist in pushing the vessels free. Despite these difficulties, the Skinner brothers' riverboat service grew in reputation and scope. In 1894, they added the S.S. Mystery to the fleet, a vessel used primarily for towing and cargo services. Unfortunately, the Mystery was lost shortly afterward while crossing the Southport Bar, with the tragic loss of one life.

That same year, the Skinner brothers added the S.S. Magnet, a 12-ton vessel used for towing in connection with major projects, such as the construction of the river’s training walls at its mouth, where it towed stone and other materials. This expansion continued as the brothers sought to meet the region's transportation needs, particularly with the completion of railway lines that brought increased trade and travel to the area. The completion of the railway line to Murwillumbah and the Queensland system to Tweed Heads in the early 1900s further boosted their business, necessitating the addition of larger vessels to the fleet.

In 1902, the Skinners commissioned the S.S. Mebbin, a 44-ton vessel constructed by Settree in Sydney, to accommodate the rising demand. The Mebbin became a workhorse on the river, providing both passenger and cargo services and helping to maintain the Skinner fleet’s reputation for reliability. Two years later, in 1904, the S.S. Booyong was launched, built by Settree at his South Murwillumbah slipway. The Booyong was a “true Tweed lady,” designed specifically for the river and operating solely on its waters. The Booyong served the river for many years, even venturing near the bar to rescue stranded passengers on several occasions.

In 1910, the Skinner fleet welcomed the S.S. Emma Pyers, a 74-ton vessel originally built in 1886 on the Richmond River by Bob Pyers and named after his daughter. The Emma Pyers joined the fleet at a time when river transport remained vital to the region’s economy, handling large-scale passenger and freight services. However, she was tragically stranded during the 1931 flood, left high and dry across the river from the Norco factory. She was never refloated and remained in place until she was finally destroyed by fire, becoming a symbol of the changing era of transportation on the Tweed.

In 1913, the Skinner brothers formalized their partnership with Captain Frank Lowes, their brother-in-law, to form Skinner Lowes & Co., later incorporated as Skinner Lowes & Co. Ltd. in 1920. This move helped secure the family business and allowed them to continue expanding their fleet and services. The Skinner Lowes fleet played a crucial role in the development of the Tweed, transporting thousands of passengers and tons of freight between Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads. However, the rise of motor vehicles and the construction of better roads and bridges ultimately reduced the demand for riverboat services.

The decline of the Skinner riverboat enterprise became apparent by the early 1930s. The once-thriving fleet struggled to compete with faster, more flexible motor transport. The final scheduled service was completed by the S.S. Mebbin on February 1, 1934, marking the end of nearly 46 years of continuous operation. After the closure of the passenger services, the Mebbin and Booyong remained moored at Tweed Heads for several years. During World War II, the Mebbin was sailed by a local crew to Sydney, where it was taken over by the Navy. The Booyong, however, deteriorated over time, eventually washing ashore and being left to rot opposite the Norco butter factory, a sad end to her proud history.

The Skinner family’s riverboat legacy left an indelible mark on the Tweed Valley. Their dedication to connecting the communities along the river and beyond transformed the region, fostering trade, communication, and growth. From humble beginnings with rowboats and a single mail contract to a fleet of steamers serving thousands of passengers, the Skinners embodied the pioneering spirit that drove the development of the Tweed region. Their story remains a testament to resilience, innovation, and the transformative power of community-driven enterprise.

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