Editing Murray River (section)

==River transport==
{{Main|List of Murray–Darling steamboats}}
[[File:PS Murray Princess 2.JPG|thumb|right|The [[PS Murray Princess|PS ''Murray Princess'']] is the largest paddlewheeler operating on the Murray River.]]
[[File:PSMelbourneLock11.jpg|right|thumb|The PS Melbourne passing through Lock 11 at [[Mildura]]]]
Shipping cannot enter the Murray from the sea because it does not have an [[estuary]]. However, in the 19th century the river supported a substantial commercial trade using shallow-draft [[paddle steamer]]s, the first trips being made by two boats from South Australia on the spring flood of 1853. The ''Lady Augusta'', captained by [[Francis Cadell (explorer)|Francis Cadell]], reached [[Swan Hill]] while another, ''Mary Ann'', captained by [[William Randell]], reached [[Moama]] (near [[Echuca]]).<ref>{{Cite news|newspaper = [[Sydney Morning Herald]] | title = Navigation of the Murray | page = 2 | url = http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12950034 | date = 1 November 1853 | access-date =4 November 2010}}</ref> In 1855 a steamer carrying gold-mining supplies reached Albury but Echuca was the usual turn-around point, though small boats continued to link with up-river ports such as [[Tocumwal]], [[Wahgunyah]] and Albury.<ref>''Railways and Riverboats'' Rowland, E.C. [[Australian Railway History|Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin]], January 1976 pp1-16</ref>

The arrival of steamboat transport was welcomed by pastoralists who had been suffering from a shortage of transport due to the demands of the gold fields. By 1860 a dozen steamers were operating in the high water season along the Murray and its tributaries. Once the railway reached Echuca in 1864, the bulk of the [[wool]]clip from the [[Riverina]] was transported via river to Echuca and then south to Melbourne.

The steam paddleship ''Etona'' was launched as a [[Christian mission|mission]] steamer, replacing an earlier steam launch, also named ''Etona'', which had been operating on the Murray since 1891. The vessel was based at [[Murray Bridge, South Australia|Murray Bridge]], and operated between [[Goolwa, South Australia|Goolwa]] and the Victorian border, stopping at towns such as [[Mannum]], [[Morgan, South Australia|Morgan]] and [[Renmark, South Australia|Renmark]] as well as isolated settlements and workcamps.<ref name="murrayriver.com">[http://www.murrayriver.com.au/paddleboats/river-boat-trail-murray-bridge#floatingmission A Floating Mission] Discover Murray River. Retrieved 3 September 2022.</ref> The forepart of the vessel was used a chapel fitted with an altar and organ, with a capacity of 20 people.<ref>[https://www.maas.museum/inside-the-collection/2013/09/16/paddle-steamers-one-of-australias-inland-pioneering-transport-systems/ Paddle steamers – one of Australia’s inland pioneering transport systems] [[Powerhouse Museum|Powerhouse Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences]]. Retrieved 3 September 2022.</ref> There was also a cabin. The minister on board, Rev. William Bussell, doubled as captain.<ref name="Plowman">{{cite book |last1=Plowman |first1=Peter |title=Murray Darling Paddleboats |date=2005 |publisher=Rosenberg Publishing Pty Ltd |location=Dural Delivery Centre |isbn=1877058378 |page=24}}</ref><ref name="murrayriver.com" /> On 16 August 1898, ''Etona'' arrived at [[Renmark, South Australia|Renmark]], where the [[Anglican Archbishop of Adelaide|Bishop of Adelaide]], Rev. Dr. [[John Harmer (bishop)|John Harmer]], held services the following Sunday with the assistance of Rev H M Wylie.<ref>{{cite web |title=Country News |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/162327969/18997458 |website=Adelaide Observer |access-date=1 August 2022 |page=22 |date=20 August 1898}}</ref> In September of the same year, the service due in [[Holder, South Australia|Holder]] on the 18th was suspended due to the vessel grounding on a sandbank.<ref>{{cite web |title=Country News |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/162329511?searchTerm=steam%20etona |website=Adelaide Observer |access-date=1 August 2022 |page=10 |date=10 September 1898}}</ref> During its year of launch, the boiler of  ''Etona'' gave way, being replaced at a cost of £87.<ref>{{cite news |title=New South Wales Elections |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/146810147?searchTerm=steam%20etona# |access-date=1 August 2022 |work=Narracoorte Herald |agency=Trove |date=2 August 1898}}</ref>

The Murray was plagued by "snags", fallen trees submerged in the water, and considerable efforts were made to clear the river of these threats to shipping by using [[barge]]s equipped with steam-driven [[winch]]es. In recent times, efforts have been made to restore many of these snags by placing dead gum trees back into the river. The primary purpose of this is to provide habitat for fish species whose breeding grounds and shelter were eradicated by the removal of the snags.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}

Author [[E.J. Brady]] chronicled an eventful journey downriver in a small motor boat from Albury to the coast in 1911 in ''River Rovers.''<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brady |first1=E.J. |title=River Rovers |date=1911 |publisher=George Robertson & Co |location=Melbourne |edition=First}}</ref>

[[File:Night travel on the Murray c1880.jpg|thumb|right|A [[paddle steamer]] passing another on the Murray at night, about 1880]]
The volume and value of river trade made Echuca Victoria's second port and in the decade from 1874 it underwent considerable expansion. By this time up to thirty steamers and a similar number of barges were working the river in season. River transport began to decline once the railways touched the Murray at numerous points. The unreliable levels made it impossible for boats to compete with the rail and later [[road transport]]. However, the river still carries pleasure boats along its entire length.

Today, most traffic on the river is recreational. Small private boats are used for [[water skiing]] and fishing. [[Houseboats]] are common, both commercial for hire and privately owned. There are a number of both historic [[paddle steamers]] and newer boats offering cruises ranging from half an hour to five days.

===River crossings===
{{Main|List of crossings of the Murray River}}
The Murray River has been a significant barrier to land-based travel and trade. Many of the ports for transport of goods along the Murray have also developed as places to cross the river, either by bridge or ferry. The first bridge to cross the Murray, which was built in 1869, is in the town of Murray Bridge, formerly called Edwards Crossing. To distinguish this bridge from the many others that span the Murray River, this bridge is known as [[Murray River road bridge, Murray Bridge]] Tolls applied on South Australian ferries until abolished in November 1961.<ref>Ferry charges abolished ''[[Truck & Bus Transportation]]'' December 1961 page 4</ref>