SS City of Launceston

The SS "City of Launceston" (active from 1863 to 1865) was a 368 ton steamship.

She was built by the Scottish (river Clyde) shipbuilding yard of Blackwood and Gordon. She was built to order for the Launceston and Melbourne Steam Navigation Company. Its early role in colonial steam shipping was the forerunner of the modern Bass Strait ferry service between Tasmania and Victoria.

For two years, and without incident, the "City of Launceston" carried passengers (it could accommodate 188), the Royal Mail and cargo across the Strait. On 19 November 1865 the vessel was under the command of Captain Thom. Within two hours of its 7.20pm departure from Melbourne to Launceston the ship was involved in a collision with the inbound SS "Penola" from Adelaide.

The 25 passengers and 24 crew were rescued by the "Penola" before the "City of Launceston" sank by the stern.