The SS 'Wauchope' is an example of a wooden steam ship built for ownership and use by Sir Allen Arthur Taylor for use on the North Coast Rivers of New South Wales. Steam ships such as this one carried passengers and cargo (mostly timber) from the wharf at Pyrmont to ports including Port Macquarie, Camden Haven and Port Stephens, with occasional visits to the Macleay and Clarence Rivers.

Ships, like the 'Wauchope', proved integral to the economic development of the North Coast region. They enabled a fast and reliable trade and passenger service and created employment opportunities, particularly via the larger operating companies such as Allen Taylor & Co Ltd and the North Coast Steam Navigation Co Ltd.

The 'Wauchope' was one of only two vessels (along with the 'Allenwood') built for Allen Taylor's fleet during 1920. It is unique for its small size and lightweight (120 tonnes), in comparison to many of her larger counterparts, who were more commonly made of steel and averaged around 500 tonnes.

Models such as this one would have been made for shipbuilder's to assist in their full-scale construction, helping to provide the builder with an idea of the vessel's fittings, riggings and sail plans, as well as helping to show the ratio of length to beam, the fining of her entry, stern and so on. This model also acts as a legacy of the full-scale version which no longer survives. The SS 'Wauchope' was foundered off Port Stephens while under tow to Sydney by the 'Arakoon' on April 5, 1942.

References
Australian Dictionary of Biography - Online Edition, "Taylor, Sir Allen Arthur (1864-1940)", http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A120194b.htm (Downloaded 7/5/2007)
Richards, M., "North Coast Run: Men and Ships of the New South Wales North Coast" (Killara, 1977) pp.97, 140 & 170

Source:

Powerhouse Museum