Sophia Jane was the first paddle steamer to operate in the coastal waters of New South Wales (NSW).

[3] The vessel was built by Barnes and Miller of Ratcliffe, pupils of James Watt, for passenger service between England and France and parts of the British islands.

[1][4][5][note 1] Sophia Jane, under command of Captain Edward Biddulph, identified as having been Lieutenant, Royal Navy, and part owner, arrived at Sydney on 13 May 1831, having come by sail, with her paddle wheels stowed and her engine not yet commissioned.

"[1] At Sydney the vessel's particulars were noted as being 250 tons builder's measurement,[note 2] 150 tons register, four years old but only operating two of those years in European waters, and considered one of the fastest sea going vessels built at the time.

[6] However, at the same time there was a report that the ship's agent was under instructions to send her on to India unless she could be profitably sold in Australia.