Kosciusko as a steamer approaches Circular Quay
History
NameKosciusko
Operator
BuilderDavid Drake
Cost£12,617.[1]
Launched1911
Out of service1975
FateBurnt out 1986 in Hobart
General characteristics
Tonnage165
Length34.1m
Speed10 knots (Kosciusko)
Capacity790 passengers approx.

Kosciusko was a "K-class" ferry on Sydney Harbour. Launched in 1911, 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.

Kosciusko was converted to diesel propulsion in the 1950s and served on Sydney Harbour until 1975 when she was sent to Hobart to assist following the collapse of the Tasman bridge. She was burnt out in 1982.

Background

Intended for the Mosman run,[2] Kosciusko was built for Sydney Ferries Limited during the early twentieth century boom in cross-Harbour travel prior to the 1932 opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. At the time, the company ran one of the largest ferry fleets in the world. The ferry was part of broader type of around 20 double-ended timber screw ferries the Sydney K-class ferries that the company commissioned between the 1890s and early 1920s to meet the booming demand.

While Kosciusko followed the Sydney Ferries Limited tradition of naming their vessels starting with K, unlike the rest of the fleet, her name was not an Australian Aboriginal word. Rather, Kosciusko was named after the Australian mountain which was, in turn, named after Polish military leader Tadeusz Kościuszko.

Design and construction

Kosciusko as built as a steamer and in her original varnished timber, white trim, and black funnel livery, 1920s.

Kosciusko was built in 1911 by David Drake, of Balmain for £12,617.[3] Her 54 hp triple expansion steam engine was supplied by Campbell & Calderwell and pushed her to 10 knots. Also a timber-built vessel, she was 165 tons, 35.4 m and had a passenger capacity of 785. Although built by different builders, she was very similar in form and size to Kanimbla, such that the two were often considered sister ships.

Service history

Kosciusko was one of the few formerly numerous K-class ferries to survive both the 1932 opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the 1950s state government rationalisation of the fleet. Kanangra, Karingal, Karrabee, and Kameruka were also kept in service and converted from steam to diesel propulsion in the 1930s and 1950s. Kosciusko was converted to diesel in 1959 (60 hp Crossley, 11 knots) which allowed coal-fired Kareela to be retired. When first commissioned, Kosciusko was a medium size ferry in comparison to the rest of the Sydney Ferries fleet, however, by the 1970s, she was the second largest.

In 1975, Hobart's north-south link was cut by the Tasman Bridge disaster. Alternatives were urgently needed, and Sydney's then new Lady Wakehurst was sent to the Tasmanian city to assist with cross-Derwent travel. Lady Ferguson and Kosciusko were towed to Hobart soon after, however, the timber 1914-built Lady Ferguson was in too poor condition to be used. Kosciusko was sold to the city and following re-opening of the bridge, she was again sold and used as a floating restaurant. During renovations in 1982, she caught fire and was burnt out. Her stern, including the propeller and rudder, are displayed outside a hotel in Hobart.

Incidents

Kosciusko, after collision with Kulgoa, 10 June 1921
  • Early in her service life, Kosciusko was rammed by a steel fuel barge under tow, causing her severe damage. She did not sink because the barge could not be easily removed and sealed the hole in her hull.
  • 10 June 1921 - On a foggy morning, Kosciusko collided with Kulgoa. Both ferries were on their way to Circular Quay, with Kulgoa in-bound from Milsons Point, and Kosciusko from Neutral Bay. Kosciusko had part of bulwarks and men's smoking cabin smashed, whereas damage to Kulgoa was limited to the davit crane and locking gear of the rudder.[4]
  • September 1924, Kosciusko collided with Kurraba in Neutral Bay. Kurraba was significantly damaged with bulwarks ripped away and her cabin bulwark smashed. Damage to Kosciusko was light in comparison. Both ferries were carrying large numbers of passengers, but there were no injuries.[5]
  • December 1926, Kosciusko collided with Manly ferry Baragoola off Bennelong Point.[6]
  • 28 July 1933, Kosciusko ran aground at Kirribilli Point near Admiralty House while travelling to Neutral Bay in thick winter fog. The stock and pintle of the rudder were broken, disabling steering at one end of the ferry.[7]
  • August 1937, Kosciusko collided head on with ferry Kiamala causing significant damage to both vessels.[8]

Timeline

See also

References

  1. ↑ "SYDNEY FERRIES". The Sun. No. 2853. New South Wales, Australia. 25 August 1919. p. 5. Retrieved 20 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ↑ "NEW FERRY STEAMERS". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 22, 633. New South Wales, Australia. 29 July 1910. p. 10. Retrieved 21 March 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ↑ "SYDNEY FERRIES". The Sun. No. 2853. New South Wales, Australia. 25 August 1919. p. 5. Retrieved 20 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ↑ "KULGOA AND KOSCIUSKO". The Sun. No. 3311. New South Wales, Australia. 10 June 1921. p. 7 (FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved 31 July 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ↑ "Collision of Ferry Steamers". Northern Star. Vol. 49. New South Wales, Australia. 12 September 1924. p. 4. Retrieved 29 December 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ↑ "FERRY SMASHES HAVE BEEN FREQUENT". Evening News. No. 18835. New South Wales, Australia. 4 November 1927. p. 15. Retrieved 27 March 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ↑ "Ferry Steamer Aground". The West Australian. Vol. XLIX, no. 9, 698. Western Australia. 29 July 1933. p. 15. Retrieved 29 December 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ↑ "Ferries Collide in Sydney Harbour". The Argus (Melbourne). Victoria, Australia. 12 August 1937. p. 9. Retrieved 4 January 2020 – via Trove.

Further reading

  • Andrews, Graeme (1975). The Ferries of Sydney. A.H. & A.W. Reed Pty Ltd. p. 29. ISBN 0589071726.
  • Andrews, Graeme (1982). A Pictorial History of Ferries: Sydney and Surrounding Waterways. Sydney: AH & AW Reed Pty Ltd. ISBN 0589503863.
  • Gunter, John (1978). Across the harbour : the story of Sydney's ferries. Rigby. ISBN 0727007157.
  • Prescott, A M (1984). Sydney Ferry Fleets. Magill, South Australia: Ronald H Parsons. ISBN 0-909418-30-6.
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