Paddle Steamer Pearl

Illustration of the paddle steamer Pearl on a river, with birds flying overhead, fishing nets on deck, and two figures aboard in a colorful painted style.

Pearl and her family live on the paddle steamer Alpha. All day long, they paddle up and down the Darling and Murray rivers, trading everything from flour and tea to jewellery and wood. As summer arrives, the water levels suddenly drop.

The Alpha is stranded!

How will the family survive months on the dry riverbed? What can Pearl do to help? Will it ever rain?

Based on the true story of Pearl Wallace, Australia’s first female river boat captain!

In the collection

Historic engraving of paddle steamers on a tree-lined river at the junction of the Murray and Darling rivers.

Junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers, c.1880, nla.obj-133211163

Paddle steamer passing beneath a large iron bridge, with steam billowing across the river.

A paddle steamer passing under the Road Bridge at Murray Bridge, South Australia, c.1902, nla.obj-153094436

Wool-laden barges moored at Echuca wharf alongside paddle steamers and riverside warehouses.

Paddle steamer Rodney with wool barges and the Pride of the Murray in the background, wharf, Echuca, Victoria, c.1900s, nla.obj-147908566

Paddle steamer moored on a riverbank, framed by overhanging gum tree branches.

Paddle steamers Little Mannum, Barwon, Excelsior, Ellen, Robroy and Gem moored on river bank in low water, Morgan, South Australia, 1915, nla.obj-147908000

Paddle steamer Ruby loading cargo at Renmark, South Australia, 1910, nla.cat-vn6449027

Several paddle steamers and smaller boats moored along a riverbank in a busy historic river port.

Paddle steamer Rothbury under steam, c.1900s, nla.obj-147908450

Teachers' Notes

Teachers' notes: Paddle Steamer Pearl (PDF, 1.06MB)

A smiling woman with red hair and bright red lipstick holds a small, scruffy terrier-like dog. She looks up at the camera with a joyful expression while cradling the dog, which has white and tan fur and dark eyes. The background is softly blurred greenery.

About the author

Neridah McMullin is an award-winning author of 12 books for children, including Shearer, Drover, and Tearaway Coach. Her books have been shortlisted and notables for the CBCA Book of the Year and have won the Australian Speech Pathology Book of the Year for Young Readers. She is passionate about writing true stories.

About the illustrator

Person seated at an art desk painting a colourful illustration, with children’s artwork and sketches displayed on the wall behind.

Jess Corkran grew up in New Zealand and migrated to the Sunshine Coast Australia, in 2009. Originally studying and working as a landscape architect, she finds inspiration in the natural and built landscape and its inhabitants. She works mostly in mixed media using acrylic paints, oil pastels, pencils and collage pieces. Busy landscape scenes that reward the viewer are one of her favourite to create. Paddle Steamer Pearl is Jessica’s first picture book.