After meeting with Robert Rankine at Bacchus Marsh on 30 March 1910, William Symington wrote to Robert and to his father W.H. Rankine to explain the background to the Symington relics which were held in the Museum at Melbourne.
Here is my transcription of these letters:
Bacchus Marsh
April 2d 1910
Mr R. Rankine
My Dear Sir
I have written a letter to your father, which I enclose. Would you have another look at the Patent in the Museum and see if you can make out what it really is, there seems to be a complication of patents, and would you kindly ascertain when the Model &c is likely to be placed in a better position to be seen.
I think it would be as well to alter the explanation by Duncan Fraser so that it may not be mistaken for an original model.
I will have a look over my father's old papers and if I find any of importance I will let you know.
Glad to see by the papers that your Easter campaign was carried out so well.
With kind regards
Yours faithfully W Symington
Bacchus Marsh
April 2d. 1910
Mr W. H. Rankine
My Dear Sir
I had the pleasure of meeting your son Capt Rankine at Bacchus Marsh, while on his way to Ballarat with a detachment of the Scottish Regiment, he brought with him a batch of correspondence he had received from you by last mail re Steam Navigation, and said he was sure you would be very pleased if I wrote to you telling anything I know about it.
My father (W Symington) son of the Inventor came to Australia Decr 24th 1855 went to Bacchus Marsh in 1858 and died there March 17 1867 he brought all the family with him 4 daughters and 1 son (myself) born in Essex England 1st Jany 1840 so I am 70, not very far behind you.
The 'Mary Symington' you enquire about must have been my sister who was born in 1836 and died at Bacchus Marsh 1864. another sister is dead and two still living in Australia, married
Dr Bowie (who married my fathers sister) went to Australia about 2 years before my father. There are 2 sons and 1 daughter still living
There was a W. Symington, son of Andrew Symington (my fathers brother) who came to Australia about 1887 and brought out his family but I know very little about them.
There must still be some more of Andrew Symington's family in Scotland. When we left London he was living in Kings Kettle Fifeshire. the model of the "Charlotte Dundas" was made by him for my father about 1851, so it is not an original model of the boat.
The Bust: brought out here by my father was one of three original casts taken in Dr Bowie's house in London, another was given by my father to Mr Woodcroft for South Kensington Museum and the other I do not know what became of it.
The Patent was left by Symington with Dr. Bowie who gave it to my father and he brought it out here
I think your son will be able to describe it more fuly (sic) than I can.
I am very much pleased and gratified that you and others are taking such a warm interest in the claim of my grandfather as the inventor of the first practical steamboat, and I shall be only too glad to do all I can to help in this matter
I am sending this letter to your son to forward to you and trust it will find you in good health.
with kind regards
yours faithfully
W. Symington