A 22-year-old shipwright from Mannum has bought a historic paddle steamer the PS Daisy to transform into his home on the water.
Luke Carpenter has had a passion for wooden boats and steam-powered paddleboats for years and couldn’t believe his luck when he got the opportunity to purchase the 129-year-old PS Daisy.
“We went to the annual Junction Rally at Wentworth in New South Wales last July, where there is an incredible display of vintage machinery, from paddleboats and classic riverboats to vehicles and steam engines.”
“It’s a two-day festival where like-minded people come together to celebrate restoration and restoration. It was on the second day that I had the chance to jump aboard the Daisy for a run on the river,” said Luke.
“I instantly fell in love with her and had to pinch myself when I was told I could buy her.”
Joined by three friends and family members, Luke has been skippering the PS Daisy on a 700-kilometre journey from NSW to the South Australian town of Mannum – the original birthplace of the paddle steamer in Australia.
“The trip has been amazing, with people lining the riverbank and waving to us along the way,” added Luke.
When PS Daisy crossed the NSW border, she claimed the title of South Australia’s oldest steam-powered paddleboat, surpassing PS Marion (built in 1897) by a mere 12 months. The PS Marion is still the oldest wood-fired paddle steamer with accommodation in the world.
The PS Daisy will cruise past the PS Marion at the Mannum Dock and arrive at the Mary Ann Reserve in Mannum around midday this Sunday, 23 March where spectators can welcome her and say hello to Luke.
“It’s really going to be a wonderful moment to bring Daisy to her new permanent home which will be just up-steam of Mannum, on the mighty Murray River,” said Luke.
As the history of PS Daisy continues to be uncovered, Luke believes he is the vessel’s seventh owner since its construction by J. Jolley in Echuca in 1896.
“It’s funny though—when I tell people that I own Daisy, they don’t believe me.”
“I think that’s a combination of my young age and the fact that many people just think owning an old boat is crazy, especially when I say we’re going to live on it – but I can’t wait to finish the fit-out and make her our home.”
The PS Daisy has had one heck of a journey. Originally, she was a floating general store, chugging along the Murray, delivering much-needed supplies to remote communities.
But by 1948, her luck ran out, and she sank near Red Cliffs, Victoria, where she spent decades resting under the murky waters of the mighty Murray.
Fast forward to 1980, and an ambitious attempt was made to bring her back to the surface. But fate had other plans—Daisy went under again overnight, staying submerged for another 21 years.
Enter previous owner Andrew Cook in 2001. With a vision and a whole lot of determination, he salvaged the PS Daisy and committed to bringing her back to life.
Thirteen years of meticulous restoration and Daisy was back in action, faithfully restored to her original 1909 glory, ready to cruise the river once more.
Now, she’s in the hands of her latest custodian, Luke, who will continue restoring his new pride and joy. He plans to enclose the vessel with windows, add a new galley and comfy sleeping quarters for himself and his girlfriend Maya.
“I hope this will be in our family now for future generations as a piece of Aussie river history,” said Luke.
“Next year, on 24 January 2026, it will be PS Daisy’s 130th anniversary, and I hope to have all the restoration complete by then.”
WHERE: Mary Ann Reserve, Mannum
WHEN: Sunday, 23 March from midday
You can also see the PS Daisy at the upcoming the biennial South Australian Wooden Boat Festival at Goolwa on the Fleurieu Peninsula on 26-27 April 2025.
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