towing

It is believed that the first internal combustion engine tractor to be used in Australia was an Ivel from England in about 1903. A H McDonald began making engines in Melbourne in the early 1900s and in 1908 made Australia's first tractor, the Imperial Oil Tractor EA. The EB, EAA, and some lightweight models followed, they were all powered by their own kerosene-fueled, spark ignition engines. They began experimenting with their Super Diesel engines before ceasing local tractor production during the 1920s and imported the Emmerson-Brantingham from America and the Advance from Sweden. They resumed production again with the Imperial Super Diesel T series in the 1930s, these tractors ran on crude oil, and their sales brochures stated "Cheaper Power Every Hour" The TWB became a popular model, and McDonald continued producing tractors until 1955. Kelly & Lewis who go back to the early 1900s made the KL Bulldog. They were mainly involved with engines and in the 1930s became the agent for Lanz Bulldog. Due to the war production of these German tractors ceased and Kelly & Lewis decided to make their own version of the 40hp Bulldog. The first bulldogs came out of their Springvale factory in 1949 and continued until about 1954. By this time the German company began to produce improved versions of the tractor and K & L found it hard to sell their stock, a total of about 900 were made. J Deere took a controlling interest in Lanz in 1956. Source: www.yesterdaystractors.com/articles/artint208.htm

Albatros DII, serial D.910/16 flown by Lt. Max Böhme of Jasta 5. He was shot down & captured near Tilley on 4th of March 1917 after combat with Lts Graham and Boddy of No. 11 Sqadron RFC and Lt. Pearson of No. 29 Squadron RFC. Ref: Albatross Fighters - Windsock Datafile Special p.16 and 20 Others pix from the series:

RMS Orion was an ocean liner launched by the Orient Steam Navigation Company in 1934 and retired from the water in 1963 after carrying about 500,000 passengers. A 23,371 ton passenger ship, the Orion was built to carry 486 first class, 653 tourist class and 466 crew passengers from Europe through the Pacific to Australia. The construction of the ship was documented in Paul Rotha's 1935 film Shipyard. Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Orion

Our Steam Tug Forceful was built in 1925. Forceful served the port of Brisbane for 45 years, being the last coal-fired tug in operation on the river. In Brisbane, Forceful was employed mainly in the Brisbane River. In July 1926, she went to the aid of Cooma, stranded on North Reef, off Heron Island. As the ship was being towed off the reef, the towline snapped and Cooma again grounded, where she remained until destroyed by fire some months later. In September 1926, Forceful went to the aid of the Rio Claro, grounded on Scott’s Reef, near Cairns. Forceful teamed with another tug to tow Rio Claro off. Forceful’s finest hour was February 1929 when she assisted in towing the stricken steamer Arafura through a cyclone some 300km to Brisbane. As a consequence of World War 2, Forceful was chartered by the British government for service in the Middle East. However, approval was withdrawn and she was commissioned as HMAS Forceful on 16 February 1942. She worked around Fremantle until October 1942, when she sailed for Darwin. From October 1942 to August 1943, she engaged in harbor work around Darwin, towed lighters to Merauke in Dutch New Guinea, and, on occasions, acted as a rescue vessel for aircraft and crews returning from bombing missions. In August 1943, she towed a landing ship to Brisbane where, on 11 October 1943, she paid off and returned to her owners. Source: maritimemuseum.com.au/learn/collections/vessels/forceful/