Jump to content

Kulgoa

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
KulgoainSydney Cove,1924
History
NameKulgoa
NamesakeAustralian Indigenousword for 'returning'
OperatorSydney Ferries Limited
BuilderW M Ford Jnr,North Sydney
Launched1904[1]
In service1905
Out of service1952
FateSold for breaking up, 1952
General characteristics
Tonnage338 tons
Length42.7 m
Beam9.6 m
Installed power60 hptriple expansion steam
Propulsiondouble-endedscrew
Speed12 knots
Capacity1,255

Kulgoawas a "K-class"ferry onSydney Harbour.Launched in 1905, the timber-hulledsteamer was built forSydney Ferries Limitedduring the boom in cross-harbour ferry travel prior to the 1932 opening of theSydney Harbour Bridge.Kulgoawas Sydney's largest ever wooden ferry. She was a typical early example of the "K-class"; a group of double-deck, double-ended,steam-poweredscrewferries.Kulgoawas one of the first Sydney ferries built with the sides of her promenade (upper) deck enclosed, although the ends near the wheelhouses remained open.

She was built for the short but busy cross-harbour route betweenCircular QuayandMilsons Point.Kulgoasurvived the 1932 opening of theSydney Harbour Bridge(17 other Sydney Ferries Limited vessels were sold at the time). She was sold for breaking up in 1952 as part of the fleet rationalisation following theNSW State Governmenttakeover of Sydney Ferries in 1952.

Kulgoafollowed Sydney Ferries Limited's then emerging tradition of naming their vessels afterAustralian Indigenouswords starting with "K". "Kulgoa" is thought to be an indigenous word for 'returning'.[2]

Background

[edit]

Kulgoawas built forSydney Ferries Limitedduring the early twentieth century boom in cross-Harbour travel prior to the 1932 opening of theSydney Harbour Bridge.[3]Kulgoawas an earlier vessel of a broader type of timberdouble-endedscrewferry known as theK-class.The company built 25 of these vessels between the 1890s and early 1920s to meet the booming demand. The K-class were all propelled bytriple expansion steam enginesand were predominantly timber-hulled (four later K-class had steel hulls).[4]

Design and construction

[edit]
Launch day, Berrys Bay, 24 September 1904

Kulgoa'sdesign was an evolution of Sydney Ferries Limited's 1902 steamer,Koree.Kulgoa,however, while of similar length toKoree,had a significantly wider beam (31 ft vs 27 ft 6 in) giving her a higher passenger capacity (1,255 vs 1,058) and tonnage (338 vs 276 tons).[5]

Plans for the hull were provided by Mr Scott, foreman shipwright of the North Coast SN company from a specification from Mr T Brown, works manager of Sydney Ferries Limited. The cabins and deck fittings were designed by the company's officials under the supervision of Mr T Brown. Brown also designed and provided the specification for the boilers and machinery.[5]

Kulgoa's hull and deck fittings were built by WM Ford at Berrys Bay,North Sydney.Dorhauer and Sons were the cabin and other deck fitting sub-contractors.Kulgoawas one of the first of Sydney Ferries to have her upper decks enclosed. She was provided with four internal side companions (stairs).[5]

The boilers and engines were supplied byMorts Dock & Engineering CoofBalmain.The engines were triple expansion, inverted, direct acting, surface condensing type with cylinders of 13, 21, and 34 inches respectively, providing 480 indicated horsepower. Two 18 foot-long through multi-tubular cylindrical boilers were provided with internal diameters of 7 ft 2 inch with 17 lb pressure per square inch. Each boiler was fitted with Deighton's patent 7 ft long, 92-tube, suspension furnaces. Electric lighting was provided by Edge and Edge. A sentinel steering system, provided by Wildridge and Sinclair, was installed.[5]

Typical of the K-class, the ferry had one ironbulkheadand four wooden bulkheads. The hull shape was flared out with no overhangingsponsons.For additional strength, the side sponsons were of longironbarksections, 12-inch square in cross section with an iron band.[5]

Kulgoa'shull was launched in Berry's Bay on 24 September 1904 in front of a crowd of approximately 1,000 people. She was christened by Essie Carter, the daughter of J Carter, the mayor of North Sydney. At the launch, the chairman of Sydney Ferries Limited noted that the company's fleet was now able to carry 15,000 people at one time, and could carry 90,000 passengers to North Sydney in an hour.[6]In his toast to the new ferry, the mayor of North Sydney said it would be the finest of its type in the Southern Hemisphere.[2]

Service history

[edit]
Sea trials, 13 January 1905

Kulgoa'strials were held on 13 January 1905 during which she reached a speed of 11 and 1/3 knots over the measured mile.[7]Following the trials, she was moored atHunters Hillfor refreshments and formalities. It was noted thatKulgoawas the largest of the fleet, and that it was likely that no larger ferries would be built withKulgoahaving reached the limit. In the event, the steelKoompartoo(1922) andKuttabul(1922) would be larger by tonnage and passenger capacity, and the timberKuramiawhile slightly smaller by tonnage had a higher passenger capacity.Kulgoaremains the largest timber ferry, by tonnage, to serve on Sydney Harbour.[8]

The largest ferry in the fleet when introduced,Kulgoawas used on the busy cross harbour routes toMilsons Pointthat was also served by, amongst other smaller craft, the three next largest ferries in the fleet,Kurraba(1899),Kirribilli(1900) andKoree(1902).[9]During the 1913 ferry strike,Kulgoawas run as a free-ship (using non-unionised labour).[10]Kulgoawas frequently used as a spectator vessels for the sailing races. At one point, likely the early 1920s, she was provided with extended controls on one wheelhouse (a flying bridge) to allow her master to see over the crowds.[11][12][13]She remained predominantly on the Circular Quay to Milsons Point run until that service's cancellation following the 1932 opening of theSydney Harbour Bridge.[14]

Following the opening of the Bridge, Sydney Ferries Limited patronage fell from a 1927 peak of 47 million annually to 15 million in 1933.[15]The Milsons Point service, which crossed the harbour at the location of the new bridge, was quickly redundant. 17 vessels from the fleet were retired from service, including K-class ferries of similar ageKoree,Kummulla,KurrabaandKirribilli.[16]Kulgoa,however, remained in service. With the Milsons Point andLavender Bayroutes discontinued following the bridge opening, the largeKulgoawas used on the Mosman run.[17]

Kulgoawas the first Sydney ferry to transport troops when in 1914 she carried troops of theAustralian Naval and Military Expeditionary Forceto theGerman New Guinea-boundHMAS Berrima.In World War II, she carried men to the converted troops ships Queens Mary and Elizabeth that were moored in Athol Bight.[18]

The 1930s Great Depression and World War 2 had kept Sydney Ferries Limited annual passenger numbers around 15 million, but increased private motor vehicle usage following the war saw numbers drop to 9 million.[19]The privately owned assets and operations of the company were taken over by the NSW State Government in 1951 and a fleet rationalisation program was implemented. Many of the now redundant large steamers were laid up.[20]Kulgoa,the oldest and largest, was sold for breaking up in 1952.Kirrule,KiandraandKirawawere also laid up in 1952/53.[21]KareelaandKubulasted through to 1959.[21]

Incidents

[edit]
  • 19 August 1909 –KulgoaandKaikai,the two largest inner harbour ferries at the time, collided in Sydney Cove on a foggy morning. The fullKaikairode higher than the almost emptyKulgoa,ripping out the bulwarks of the latter. No injuries were reported.[22]
  • 21 December 1911 – The hat of John Francis Kelly, a passenger onKulgoa,was blown off on a run between Circular Quay and Milsons Point. It was picked up by a considerate older gentleman. Such was Kelly's gratitude, he swore. He was charged for the offensive language and fined £5 in lieu of 1 months imprisonment.[23]
  • 24 February 1911 – An elderly man attempted suicide by jumping offKulgoa.He was rescued by crew member who dived in after him.[24]
  • 25 October 1911 –Kulgoawas the first vessel on the scene after a severe collision between ferryKaikaiand the Howard Smith Company collier,Derwent.Kaikaisuffered significant damage and was disabled. Her passengers were disembarked toKulgoa.[25]
  • 11 September 1912 –Kulgoacollided with the collierDerwent.[26]
  • 6 December 1916 – A forty-two year old male passenger fell overboard and died from severe back injuries from the ferry's propeller.[27]
  • 22 January 1921 –Kulgoacollided with the launchBetty,offFort Macquarie.Two passengers onBettyjumped overboard but were rescued.[28]
  • 24 January 1921 – On a trip from Milsons Point to Circular Quay,Kulgoacollided with the tugStormcock.Kulgoahad about 10 feet of her bulwarks smashed, while the stern ofStormcockwas damaged. There were no injuries.[28]
  • 10 June 1921 – On a foggy morning,Kulgoacollided withKosciusko.Both ferries were on their way to Circular Quay, withKulgoain-bound from Milsons Point, andKosciuskofromNeutral Bay.Kosciuskohad part of bulwarks and men's smoking cabin smashed, whereas damage toKulgoawas limited to the davit crane and locking gear of the rudder.[29]
  • 27 November 1923 –Kulgoacollided with the Neutral Bay wharf at Circular Quay damaging about 10 feet of bulwarks.[30]
  • In June 1925, she collided withKulgoa.[31]An August 1925 Marine Court of Inquiry did not find anyone culpably negligent. The court found that the Lane Cove ferryThe Lady Mary,hid the larger ferriesKuramiaandKulgoafrom each other untilKulgoawas abreast ofThe Lady Maryuntil a collision between the larger two was inevitable. No injuries occurred due to the crew being able to clear passengers from the forward ofKuramia.[32]
  • In June 1925 -Kulgoacollided head on withKuramiainSydney Cove.[33]An August 1925 Marine Court of Inquiry did not find anyone culpably negligent. The court found that the Lane Cove ferryThe Lady Mary,hid the larger ferriesKuramiaandKulgoafrom each other untilKulgoawas abreast ofThe Lady Maryuntil a collision between the larger two was inevitable. No injuries occurred due to the crew being able to clear passengers from the forward ofKuramia.[34]While no injuries were reported, both vessels suffered significant damage to their bows, withKuramia'ssmoking cabin also smashed in.[35]
  • 13 August 1930 –Kulgoacollided withKaikaithen a moment later withKirruleoffMilsons Point.No-one was injured, but about 10 metres of bulwark was stripped offKulgoa.[36]
  • 24 September 1936 –Kulgoa,en route from Circular Quay, collided in Sydney Cove withKurra-Bawhich was returning to Circular Quay fromNeutral BayandKirribilli.One passenger onKulgoawas injured and both boats suffered significant damage and were taken out of service for repair.[37]
  • K-class ferry, Kosciusko, after collision with Kulgoa, 10 June 1921
    K-class ferry,Kosciusko,after collision withKulgoa,10 June 1921
  • Kulgoa after collision with Kurra-Ba, 1936
    Kulgoaafter collision withKurra-Ba,1936
  • Kurra-Ba (left) and Kulgoa (right) immediately after their 1936 collision
    Kurra-Ba(left) andKulgoa(right) immediately after their 1936 collision
  • Damage to Kurra-Ba after her 1936 collision with Kulgoa
    Damage toKurra-Baafter her 1936 collision withKulgoa

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^"SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED".The Sunday Sun.No. 78. New South Wales, Australia. 25 September 1904. p. 1.Retrieved31 July2021– via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ab"A NEW FERRY BOAT".The Sydney Morning Herald.No. 20, 765. New South Wales, Australia. 26 September 1904. p. 5.Retrieved3 August2021– via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^Andrews (1982), page 104
  4. ^Prescott (1984), pages 67–72
  5. ^abcde"THE SYDNEY FERRIES, LIMITED, NEW STEAMER KULGOA".Australian Town and Country Journal.Vol. LXX, no. 1824. New South Wales, Australia. 18 January 1905. p. 39.Retrieved31 July2021– via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^"SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED".The Sunday Sun.No. 78. New South Wales, Australia. 25 September 1904. p. 1.Retrieved1 August2021– via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^"New Ferry Steamer".The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers' Advocate.Vol. XVII, no. 1235. New South Wales, Australia. 14 January 1905. p. 5.Retrieved31 July2021– via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^Andrews (1975), pages 114–121
  9. ^Clark, L.A. (1976).North of the Harbour(Third ed.). Broadmeadow NSW: Newey & Beath Printers Pty Ltd. pp. 11 & 13.ISBN0-909650-05-5.
  10. ^"THE FERRY KULGOA STARTS AGAIN".Evening News.No. 14, 289. New South Wales, Australia. 26 March 1913. p. 2.Retrieved31 July2021– via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^Andrews (1994), page 31
  12. ^Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences."Glass plate negative of steam ferry 'Kulgoa' at ferry wharf, Lavender Bay, Sydney, and North Shore electric trains, 1932–1935".Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia.Retrieved15 August2021.
  13. ^"KULGOA, Sep 17, 1924. detail.Maritime Services Board (MSB)SR346".City of Sydney Archives.City of Sydney.Retrieved15 August2021.
  14. ^Andrews (1994), page 89
  15. ^Andrews (1994), page 91
  16. ^Andrews (1994), pages 90, 241
  17. ^Sydney Morning Herald
  18. ^Andrews (1975), page 90
  19. ^Andrews (1975), page 86
  20. ^Andrews (1994), page 94
  21. ^abAndrews (1994), pages 94, 241
  22. ^"AN EXCITING COLLISION".The Star.No. 138. New South Wales, Australia. 19 August 1909. p. 4 (FIRST EDITION).Retrieved3 August2021– via National Library of Australia.
  23. ^"ON THE FERRY BOAT".The Sun.No. 462. New South Wales, Australia. 21 December 1911. p. 5 (FINAL EXTRA).Retrieved3 August2021– via National Library of Australia.
  24. ^""Good Bye All."".The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser.New South Wales, Australia. 3 March 1911. p. 2.Retrieved3 August2021– via National Library of Australia.
  25. ^"KULGOA TO THE RESCUE".The Sydney Morning Herald.No. 23, 022. New South Wales, Australia. 26 October 1911. p. 9.Retrieved31 July2021– via National Library of Australia.
  26. ^"HABBOUR COLLISION".The Sydney Morning Herald.No. 23, 321. New South Wales, Australia. 9 October 1912. p. 9.Retrieved31 July2021– via National Library of Australia.
  27. ^"KILLED BY FERRY PROPELLOR".The Daily Telegraph.No. 11724. New South Wales, Australia. 7 December 1916. p. 6.Retrieved3 August2021– via National Library of Australia.
  28. ^ab"In Two Collisions".Evening News.No. 16, 726. New South Wales, Australia. 24 January 1921. p. 1.Retrieved31 July2021– via National Library of Australia.
  29. ^"KULGOA AND KOSCIUSKO".The Sun.No. 3311. New South Wales, Australia. 10 June 1921. p. 7 (FINAL EXTRA).Retrieved31 July2021– via National Library of Australia.
  30. ^"FERRY HITS WHARF".The Daily Telegraph.No. 13, 720. New South Wales, Australia. 28 November 1923. p. 7.Retrieved3 August2021– via National Library of Australia.
  31. ^"FERRY SMASHES HAVE BEEN FREQUENT".Evening News.No. 18835. New South Wales, Australia. 4 November 1927. p. 15.Retrieved27 March2021– via National Library of Australia.
  32. ^"FERRY COLLISION".The Daily Telegraph.No. 14, 251. New South Wales, Australia. 12 August 1925. p. 11.Retrieved7 January2023– via National Library of Australia.
  33. ^"FERRY SMASHES HAVE BEEN FREQUENT".Evening News.No. 18835. New South Wales, Australia. 4 November 1927. p. 15.Retrieved27 March2021– via National Library of Australia.
  34. ^"FERRY COLLISION".The Daily Telegraph.No. 14, 251. New South Wales, Australia. 12 August 1925. p. 11.Retrieved7 January2023– via National Library of Australia.
  35. ^"COLLISION".The Sydney Morning Herald.No. 27, 291. New South Wales, Australia. 24 June 1925. p. 14.Retrieved3 August2021– via National Library of Australia.
  36. ^"FERRIES COLLIDE".The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser.No. 147. New South Wales, Australia. 13 August 1930. p. 4.Retrieved3 August2021– via National Library of Australia.
  37. ^"QUAY CRASH".The Sun.No. 8339. New South Wales, Australia. 24 September 1936. p. 23 (LATE FINAL EXTRA).Retrieved3 August2021– via National Library of Australia.

References

[edit]
  • Andrews, Graeme (1975).The Ferries of Sydney.A.H. & A.W. Reed Pty Ltd.ISBN0589071726.
  • Andrews, Graeme (1982).A Pictorial History of Ferries: Sydney and Surrounding Waterways.Sydney: AH & AW Reed Pty Ltd.ISBN0589503863.
  • Andrews, Graeme (1994).The Ferries of Sydney.Sydney University Press.ISBN0424002027.
  • Gunter, John (1978).Across the harbour: the story of Sydney's ferries.Rigby.ISBN0727007157.
  • Prescott, A M (1984).Sydney Ferry Fleets.Magill, South Australia: Ronald H Parsons.ISBN0-909418-30-6.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kulgoa&oldid=1132086665"