SS Charon

Description

DescriptionThe SS Charon was built by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company, Dundee, Scotland in 1903. It was a 306 feet in length and 1660 tons. It was powered by three steam boilers and had a maximum speed of 12 knots. It was owned jointly by the Blue Funnel Line and the West Australian Steam Navigation Co.

It was launched in 1903 to replace the older SS Saladin and it travelled regularly between Fremantle, Geraldton, Carnarvon, Onslow, Point Sampson, Port Hedland, Broome, Derby, Darwin and Singapore. It carried both passengers and cargo.

During its long period of service many Chinese Western Australians made legitimate use of the SS Charon during its years in service. It was also regularly embroiled in allegations of illegal smuggling of Chinese migrants and was the subject of a series of official inquiries into stowaways. It was routinely searched by customs officials in all ports and there were instances when Chinese stowaways were located.

It ended service to Western Australia in 1925 when it was sold to Yuan Heng S.S. Co., Swatow, and renamed the Yuan Lee. It was broken up for scrap in 1950.