Some of the ships were engaged in the coal and iron ore trade. Those that went to Yampi Sound burned coal on the outward journey.
The boilers were fired with crushed coal at the front and stoker rams pushed the coal onto the grate.
At Yampi, fire bricks were installed on the boiler chain grates of the B&W water tube boilers so as to facilitate burning oil on the return trip to Newcastle.
Three oil burners were fitted to the back end of each boiler furnace.
During the 1950's, the "River Loddon" collided with another ship in Sydney Harbour.
Considerable damage was done to the bow of the "River Loddon" and the other vessel, which had a name similar to "Shizada", was damaged, allowing water into a hold carrying wheat.
Repairs to the "River Loddon" were carried out at Pool & Steele's works in Sydney.