The problem of weeds in Albert Park Lake - Carlo has a solution

On January 13, 1904 the South Melbourne Council discussed the interminable question of cleansing the Albert Park Lake of weeds (The Age January 15, 1904) Three suggestions were put to the Council to resolve the issue. One suggestion was a simple one - Cr. Strangward asked if hand-pulling had been tried, as he had seen a small amount of work done near the Yacht Club shed, and he thought it might be possible to do it by hand-pulling. (Emerald Hill Record January 16, 1904)

A second suggestion concerned swans.  Cr. Craine's idea was that a number of swans would keep the weeds down. He had got several down from Bairnsdale, but one was stolen, one had been killed, and two had gone over to the Botanical Gardens.....Cr. Craine said he would like to see the swans given a trial. During a trip to Gippsland he had seen them in the lakes, and had taken particular notice of them. They had the same weeds growing there, and the swans kept them clear. He would be prepared to get a further supply if they were looked after. So a nice idea, but it seems that some of the swans preferred the more up-market address of the Royal Botanic Gardens.  (Emerald Hill Record January 16, 1904)

The third suggestion was from Carlo Catani - a high-tech solution, with a dual purpose of being useful but also a source of pleasure to the locals. Mr. Catani had reported that it would be necessary to build a paddle steamer with a weed cutter at the rear to deal with the weed nuisance. It was proposed to use the steamer also for excursions, improve the island, and hold concerts and entertainments on it.  (Emerald Hill Record January 16, 1904)  A report in the  North Melbourne Courier of January 15, 1904 suggested the ways in which the Lake and Island could be improved - Steps will probably, be taken to make the Albert Park Lagoon a somewhat similar sheet of water to Lake Windouree [Wendouree], Ballarat. A scheme has been formulated by Mr. Catani of Public Works Department, for the eradication of the weeds, by means of a steamer, which would also take passengers for trip. There is also a plan in contemplation to erect kiosks on the island, and other attractions.

What did they decide? It was the Albert Park Lake Trust that made the decision and it was announced,  at a community meeting, by the South Melbourne Mayor, Cr. Baragwanath, who caused some surprise by announcing that the trust had, at its last meeting, authorised the sending of a cable message to England ordering a weed cutting steamer on six months' trial at a cost of about £300, with the proviso that if it proved unsuccessful the trust would take no responsibility. The steamer was not, however, as originally suggested, to be used for carrying passengers on the lagoon (The Age, April 19, 1904)

Other reports said that the cost of this steamer would be £270 to £300 and the annual cost for maintenance £80. There was a number of criticisms - it was too expensive, other methods had not  been tried and a question was asked why they were importing a machine when,  a local resident, Mr. Donald, had invented a machine which was fully capable of dealing with the weeds, and had proved itself by trials, at one of which the trust was represented. He asked why such invention had not been given consideration before accepting an offer from an English firm ?  (Emerald Hill Record, April 23, 1904)

Motor Weed Cutting Launch, Albert Park Lagoon

The Leader  April 29, 1905   http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198166236

The steamer from England arrived and  a trial was held. We will let The Argus of November 18, 1904 tell us how it went and how it worked  - A public trial was given yesterday on the Albert Park Lake of a new weed-cutting machine purchased by the committee of management to clear the lake of weeds which had grown to such an extent that aquatic sports were greatly hampered. Amongst those present were Mr Davidson inspector-general of public works, Mr Catani, engineer, members of the Albert park committee the South Melbourne and St Kilda councils. The boat, which is about the size of an ordinary ship's boat, has a stern wheel, which is driven by a low-speed oil engine. The engine also works two V shaped knives which are fixed on each side of the boat and work underneath it, clearing a space 10ft wide. Those present expressed themselves highly pleased with the result of the trial. The committee of management of Albert-park were so well satisfied with the test that they have decided to purchase the cutter and motor launch at a cost of about £275. 

There is a detailed technical description of the weed-cutting steamer in The Leader of  April 29, 1905. You can read it here. The same article says that the trustees of the Albert Park lagoon have found great difficulty in getting rid of the weeds, which grow more or less all over the lagoon. Much money has been fruitlessly spent upon this work, and many devices tried, amongst them being a steam dredge (costing about £2000, which was unsuccessful, and was, eventually sold at the price of old iron). £2000 - that was a lot of money, in those days. The article held higher hopes for the steam launch - The motor launch ... has in a very short space of time almost cleared the lagoon, and it, is claimed that it will in time stop the growth of these noxious weeds by keeping them cut, thus preventing the generating power of air and light having any stimulating effect, and weakening them to such an extent, that they will cause very little trouble.

The Age also had a report that suggested that the steam launch was a success. It reported on the Albert Park Easter Regatta - On Saturday the ten-mile course was sailed, for the first time in several years, over the whole length of the lagoon, an improvement due to the successful operations of the weed cutting steam launch imported by the Albert Park committee of management providing a clear sailing area. The improvement made in this fine sheet of water was greatly appreciated by contesting yachtsmen. (The Age April 24, 1905)

In the end, the weed-cutting steamer wasn't designed so it could also be used for excursions, as Carlo had proposed, but it does appear that it was a success in removing the weeds.


I have created a short list of articles on the weed-cutting steamer from 1904 and 1905 on Trove. You can access the list, here. All the articles referenced here are on the list.