Sydney Heritage Fleet

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Sydney Heritage Fleet
Location map Australia Sydney.png
Red pog.svg
Location within Sydney
Established1965;59 years ago (1965)
Location Wharf 7, 58 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Heritage shipyard located at Gate 4, 13 James Craig Road, Rozelle, NSW 2039.
Coordinates 33°52′03″S151°11′55″E / 33.8675°S 151.1985°E / -33.8675; 151.1985
Type Historic ship collection
Public transit access
Website shf.org.au
James Craig on Sydney Harbour James Craig Sydney 1.JPG
James Craig on Sydney Harbour
The Sydney Heritage Fleet restoration shipyard at Rozelle Bay, New South Wales. The vessels in the image include the steam tug Waratah, the harbour ferry Kanangra, and the pilot vessel John Oxley. SHF yard vessels.JPG
The Sydney Heritage Fleet restoration shipyard at Rozelle Bay, New South Wales. The vessels in the image include the steam tug Waratah, the harbour ferry Kanangra , and the pilot vessel John Oxley .

Sydney Heritage Fleet, is the trading name of Sydney Maritime Museum Ltd., a public company [1] in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Contents

The Fleet restores and operates a number of historic vessels including the barque James Craig. In 2003 the World Ship Trust awarded James Craig its prestigious Maritime Heritage Award. [2]

The offices, model workshop, some displayed boats, and the library are on Wharf 7 located in 58 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont NSW 2009. The James Craig is alongside the Wharf 7. The fleet's shipyard is in Rozelle Bay; However, they are in the process of moving the yard to Berrys Bay to allow for expansion.

On Sunday the 18th of February the James Craig celebrated 150 years in a style befitting the flagship Sydney's largest Yacht.

Unfortunately funding issues due to mismanagement have come to light due to overpaid and unneeded staff. (11)

https://amp.smh.com.au/national/nsw/stormy-waters-ahead-for-sydney-tall-ship-on-150th-birthday-20240215-p5f5ai.html

History

The Lady Hopetoun at Circular Quay c.1910 The Lady Hopetoun at Circular Quay (5515643335).jpg
The Lady Hopetoun at Circular Quay c.1910

The Lady Hopetoun and Port Jackson Marine Steam Museum was the forerunner of the Sydney Heritage Fleet. In 1965 a group of enthusiasts under Warwick Turner, formed the museum to preserve Sydney's 1902 VIP steam yacht Lady Hopetoun. [3] [4] The organisation later became known as the Sydney Maritime Museum Ltd. In 1998 the museum adopted the trading name Sydney Heritage Fleet, except for two years (2003/4) when 'Australian Heritage Fleet' (more accurately reflecting the fleets make up, for example the SS John Oxley has no connection to Sydney harbour) was used. [5] The Fleet now comprises 10 historic vessels which is amongst the largest collections of its type in the world. [6]

In 2019 the heritage fleet's reputation was marred by controversy following accusations of bullying Racism and harassment [8]

Organisation

The Sydney Heritage Fleet is supported by a membership of 1,200, with over 15 paid workers and 200 volunteer workers who restore, operate and maintain the fleet and preserve traditional maritime methods and skills. In addition to the 10 primary vessels being operated or restored, the Fleet also has 55 small heritage boats and a significant collection of marine engines under restoration, as well as a collection of over fifty model ships. A comprehensive research library and archive which includes photographs, ships' plans, diaries, logs and journals is also maintained. Though it is inaccessible to the public

[6]

Funding is through donations, membership subscriptions and income from vessel charters and tours. [6]

Operational vessels

James Craig at sea under sail in May 2012 Sydney Heritage Fleet James Craig.jpg
James Craig at sea under sail in May 2012

James Craig

James Craig is a three-masted, iron-hulled barque. Built in 1874 in Sunderland, England, by Bartram, Haswell, & Co., she was originally named Clan Macleod. She was employed carrying cargo around the world, and rounded Cape Horn 23 times in 26 years. In 1900 she was acquired by Mr J J Craig, renamed James Craig in 1905, and operated between New Zealand and Australia until 1911.


In September 2023 she was docked due to urgent repairs needed to keep her afloat. [9]

Waratah

Waratah is a coal fired tug and was launched at Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney on 22 May 1902. Originally named Burunda, she was used to tow dredges and barges between the various ports along the NSW coast. [7]

Lady Hopetoun

Lady Hopetoun is a 1902 VIP steam launch named after the Governor General of Australia's wife - the then Lady Hopetoun. She was built in the W. M. Ford yard at Berrys Bay, Sydney and launched on the tenth of April. [8]

Boomerang

The 1903 schooner Boomerang was launched as the Bona on 24 September; it was designed by the noted Sydney naval architect Walter Reeks [9] [10]

Protex a 1908 inner-harbour motor launch

Harman a 1947 ex Royal Australian Navy harbour workboat/passenger motor boat

Berrima a 1954 Botany Bay workboat/passenger motor boat

Bronzewing, 1968 and Currawong, 1969, are Bronzewing-class harbour tugs (on loan from the Royal Australian Navy). They are used to berth and un-berth James Craig or to relocate the steam ships when not under steam.

Vessels under restoration

John Oxley with Boomerang in 2005 Sydney Heritage Fleet Heritage dock Rozelle.jpg
John Oxley with Boomerang in 2005

John Oxley

John Oxley is a steamship that previously served as a pilot boat and buoy tender. The ship was built in Scotland in 1927 for the Queensland state government.

Was relaunched in April 2022

The vessel will be almost completely new like the James Craig due to heavy corrosion over the last 4 decades.

Kanangra

Kanangara is a 1912 [Sydney Ferries Limited] ferry. Built with a steel hull and wooden superstructure.

The hull plating and framing needs complete replacement after decades of neglect.

When first handed over she was almost ready to go into service.

Kookaburra II

A 1950s wooden speed boat

Related Research Articles

<i>James Craig</i> (barque) 1874 iron-hulled barque

James Craig is a three-masted, iron-hulled barque restored and sailed by the Sydney Heritage Fleet, Sydney, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian National Maritime Museum</span> Maritime museum in New South Wales, Australia

The Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) is a federally operated maritime museum in Darling Harbour, Sydney. After considering the idea of establishing a maritime museum, the federal government announced that a national maritime museum would be constructed at Darling Harbour, tied into the New South Wales state government's redevelopment of the area for the Australian bicentenary in 1988. The museum building was designed by Philip Cox, and although an opening date of 1988 was initially set, construction delays, cost overruns, and disagreements between the state and federal governments over funding responsibility pushed the opening to 1991.

<i>Dee Why</i>-class ferry

The Dee Why and Curl Curl, were two identical steam ferries servicing Sydney Harbour's Circular Quay to Manly service. Both commissioned in 1928, they were the largest ferries on Sydney Harbour until the 1938 introduction of the South Steyne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illawarra Steam Navigation Company</span> Australian steamship company

The Illawarra Steam Navigation Company was a shipping company that serviced the south coast of New South Wales, Australia from 1858 to the early 1950s. It was formed through the amalgamation of the General Steam Navigation Company, the Kiama Steam Navigation Company and the Shoalhaven Steam Navigation Company, each of whom serviced parts of the south coast with their respective vessels. After merging, the new company held a near monopoly in regard to shipping on the south coast, and their fleet visited every significant port between Sydney and the border of Victoria. The company transported both passengers and a range of produce, including livestock, and hence it became known as the 'Pig and Whistle Line': it was said that ships would wait an hour for a pig but not a minute for a passenger.

SS <i>John Oxley</i> Pilot boat, built 1927

SS John Oxley is a steamship that previously was a pilot boat and lighthouse and buoy tender. The ship was built in Scotland in 1927 for the Queensland Government. The vessel was requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy during World War II. Returned to her duties after the war, John Oxley remained active until 1968 when her deteriorating condition made her unusable. In 1970, the ship was donated by the Queensland Government to the Lady Hopetoun and Port Jackson Marine Steam Museum for preservation, but due to other projects, work was sidelined until 2004. The ship has undergone restoration for the past 20 years at Rozelle Bay on a floating dock. In April 2022, she was towed to dry dock at Garden Island, re-floated successfully and returned to Rozelle Bay for further restoration work afloat.

DMS Maritime, formerly Defence Maritime Services, is a company providing port services to the Australian Defence Force and Marine Unit. It is a subsidiary of Serco.

SS <i>South Steyne</i>

The SS South Steyne is a former Manly ferry on Sydney Harbour. She was the world's largest steam-powered passenger ferry and operated on the service from 1938 to 1974. Restored in the 1980s, she served as a restaurant ship in Newcastle in the 1990s, and in 2000 was moved back to Sydney and open to the public at Darling Harbour. Since April 2016 she has been stored at Berrys Bay. She was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berrys Bay</span> Bay in Sydney Harbour, Australia

Berrys Bay is a bay located to the east of the Waverton Peninsula and the west of McMahons Point, on the north of Sydney Harbour.

<i>Acheron</i>-class torpedo boat

The two colonial service Acheron-class torpedo boats were built by the Atlas Engineering Company at Sydney in 1879 for the New South Wales naval service. They were originally armed with a single spar torpedo, but this was replaced in 1887 with two 14-inch automotive torpedoes. They were sold in 1902.

SY Ena Australian steam yacht built in 1900

The Steam Yacht Ena is a steam yacht that was built in 1900 for Thomas Dibbs, the commodore of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron. It was used as his private vessel for entertaining guests on Sydney Harbour and Pittwater until the beginning of World War I. In 1917 the yacht was purchased by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and used as the auxiliary patrol vessel HMAS Sleuth in the waters around the Torres Strait and Thursday Island, before later being used as a training ship tender based in Sydney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Fleet Review 2013</span>

The International Fleet Review 2013 was a review that took place on the week 3 to 11 October 2013, as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the entry of the first Royal Australian Navy fleet in Sydney Harbour, on 4 October 1913.

MV <i>Lady Denman</i> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Lady Denman is a former Sydney Harbour ferry built in 1912 for the Balmain New Ferry Company. She was later run by Sydney Ferries Limited and its government successors. She is now preserved at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum near her original build site in Huskisson, New South Wales, Australia.

<i>Yelta</i> (tugboat)

Yelta is a steam tug which operated in the Australian state of South Australia from 1949 to 1976 within both the Port River and the waters of Gulf St Vincent immediately adjoining the river's mouth. After being laid up for about nine years, she was purchased in 1985 by the Government of South Australia for addition to the collection of the South Australian Maritime Museum as a museum ship. As of 1985, she was considered to be the only remaining steam-powered tug operating within Australian waters.

CLS4 Carpentaria

Commonwealth Lightship 4 (CLS4) Carpentaria is a lightship that was in service from 1917 to 1985 with the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service, built at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard and commissioned in 1917. The vessel is named after the Gulf of Carpentaria, where it spent most of its service life together with its sister ship CLS2.

<i>Koree</i>

Koree was a "K-class" ferry on Sydney Harbour. Launched in 1902, the timber-hulled steamer was built for Sydney Ferries Limited during the boom in cross-harbour ferry travel prior to the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

<i>Kulgoa</i> Ferry on Sydney Harbour

Kulgoa was a "K-class" ferry on Sydney Harbour. Launched in 1905, the timber-hulled steamer was built for Sydney Ferries Limited during the boom in cross-harbour ferry travel prior to the 1932 opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Kulgoa was Sydney's largest ever wooden ferry. She was a typical early example of the "K-class"; a group of double-deck, double-ended, steam-powered screw ferries. Kulgoa was one of the first Sydney ferries built with the sides of her promenade (upper) deck enclosed, although the ends near the wheelhouses remained open.

<i>Lady Ferguson</i>

Lady Ferguson was a Sydney Harbour ferry built in 1914 for the Balmain New Ferry Company. She and four similar ferries, Lady Chelmsford (1910), Lady Denman (1912), Lady Edeline (1913), and Lady Scott (1914), were a new series of "Lady-class"craft designed by renowned naval architect Walter Reeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of Sydney Harbour ferries</span> Timeline of ferry transport in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Sydney Harbour ferry services date back to the first years of Sydney's European settlement. Slow and sporadic boats ran along the Parramatta River from Sydney to Parramatta and served the agricultural settlements in between. By the mid-1830s, speculative ventures established regular services. From the late-nineteenth century the North Shore developed rapidly. A rail connection to Milsons Point took alighting ferry passengers up the North Shore line to Hornsby, New South Wales via North Sydney. Without a bridge connection, increasingly large fleets of steamers serviced the cross harbour routes and in the early twentieth century, Sydney Ferries Limited was the largest ferry operator in the world.

<i>Karingal</i> (ferry)

Karingal was a ferry operated by Sydney Ferries Limited and its NSW State Government operated successors on Sydney Harbour from 1913 until 1984. A wooden ferry built at the time of Sydney Ferries' rapid early twentieth century, she was the smallest of the round-end "K-class ferries".

<i>Kanangra</i> (ferry)

Kanangra is a retired ferry on Sydney Harbour. She was launched in 1912 during the early-twentieth century pre-Sydney Harbour Bridge boom years of Sydney Ferries Limited.

References

  1. "Current details for ABN 70 000 519 246". Australian Business Register. 4 August 2004. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  2. "World Ships Trust, Maritime Heritage Awards" (PDF). International Congress of Maritime Museums. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  3. "Traditions and skills a half century on - International Congress of Maritime Museums". Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  4. Beresford, Charles (26 January 1966). "An Edwardian piece of our history". The Canberra Times . Vol. 40, no. 11, 375. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. p. 2. Retrieved 2 December 2017 via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Australian Heritage Fleet", Trove, 2011, retrieved 3 December 2017
  6. 1 2 3 "Sydney Heritage Fleet". Sydney Heritage Fleet. Archived from the original on 17 December 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  7. "A NEW GOVERNMENT STEAMER". The Daily Telegraph . No. 7162. New South Wales, Australia. 23 May 1902. p. 8. Retrieved 6 December 2017 via National Library of Australia.
  8. "New Harbour Trust Steamer". The Australian Star . No. 4414. New South Wales, Australia. 10 April 1902. p. 5. Retrieved 2 December 2017 via National Library of Australia.
  9. "LAUNCH OF THE YACHT BONA". The Sydney Morning Herald . No. 20, 452. New South Wales, Australia. 26 September 1903. p. 7. Retrieved 3 December 2017 via National Library of Australia.
  10. Blaxell, Gregory (September 2011). "A Boomerang for all seasons". www.afloat.com.au. Retrieved 29 January 2018.

11 ^ ^https://amp.smh.com.au/national/nsw/stormy-waters-ahead-for-sydney-tall-ship-on-150th-birthday-20240215-p5f5ai.html