MV Baragoola

The MV Baragoola (formerly the SS Baragoola) is a ferry formerly operated by the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company and its successors on the Manly service. The sixth and final of the Binngarra type Manly ferries, the vessel entered service in 1922. Since its decommissioning as a ferry in 1983, the vessel has since been had a number of owners who have attempted to find a new role and restore it. Since 2003, it has been laid up at Balls Head Bay on the north side of Sydney Harbour as attempts to restore the vessel have continued.

Baragoola as built in 1922 including open upper passenger deck
History
Name:
  • MV Baragoola
  • formerly SS Baragoola
Owner: Baragoola Preservation Association Incorporated
Operator:
Port of registry: Sydney
Route: Manly
Builder: Mort's Dock
Cost: £75,000 to £85,000[1]
Yard number: 41
Launched: 14 February 1922
Maiden voyage: 3 September 1922
Out of service: 8 January 1983
Identification: IMO number: 5036145
Status: squat
General characteristics
Tonnage: 498 tonnes
Length: 60.92 metres (199 feet)
Beam: 10.30 metres (33 feet)
Draught: 3.75 metres (12 feet)
Decks: 2
Installed power: 4 × English Electric 7SKM diesels
Speed: 16 knots
Capacity: 1,523
Crew: 11 (as SS), 7 (as MV)

Baragoola is an Australian Aboriginal word for "flood tide".[2]

Background
Kuring-gai (1901) was the forerunner to the "Bingarra-type" vessels including Barrenjoey. Note the wheel houses located midships compared to Barrenjoey's at the ends of the sun deck.

The Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company's fleet transitioned comparatively late to screw propelled vessels and the fleet comprised mostly paddle steamers until the early years of the twentieth century. The difficulty of turning in the narrow bays of Sydney Harbour - particularly in the busy Circular Quay terminus in Sydney Cove - required the use of double-ended vessels. However, a double-ended screw configuration was particularly difficult for the fine bows that Manly ferries required for both speed and heavy seas. Further, a propeller at the leading forward end of a vessel reduced speed considerably. In the prosperous early twentieth century, this speed drawback was overcome by increasing engine size and power.

The first screw ferries on the Manly run were two innovative Walter Reeks–designed vessels; the SS Manly (1896), and SS Kuring-gai (1901), which were to become the fore-runners of the "Binngarra-class" ferries. They both had high forecastles at either to help her run through the deep-sea conditions across the Sydney Heads. The steel-hulled Kuring-gai was larger and she further refined the basic design to be similar to the subsequent and larger "Binngarra-class" vessels. Manly and Kuring-gai had both, however, followed paddle steamer design with their bridges around the midships funnels. Whereas the "Binngarra-class" vessels would have their wheelhouses at either end of their promenade decks.

The Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company's "Binngarra-class" ferries, Binngarra (1905), Burra-Bra (1908), Bellubera (1910), Balgowlah (1912), Barrenjoey (1913), and Baragoola (1922), were designed by Mort's Dock and Engineering, initially under the guidance of former chief draughtsman Andrew Christie. The first five were built at Mort's Woolwich yard and Baragoola was built at the Balmain yard. They were among the largest ships built in Australian yards at the time and, on the admission of Mort's executives, were built by the dock more for prestige than profit. Build costs were higher in Australia than in the United Kingdom, but this was offset by the cost of sailing them out to Australia.

Design and construction
Baragoola's launch day, 14 February 1922

Costing between £75,000 and £85,000,[1] Baragoola was launched on 14 February 1922 by Mrs Hunter McPherson.[3] It was the sixth and final "Binngarra" type vessel,[4][5][6] and while 6 metres shorter and with a greater beam, she was otherwise similar to her older sister ships Binngarra (1905), Burra-bra (1908), Bellubera (1910), Balgowlah (1912), and Barrenjoey (1913 - later North Head).[7]

Baragoola is 498 tons and 60.7 meters long. As built, the vessel was powered by a three-cylinder triple expansion steam engine with cylinder diameters of 18", 28", and 47.5", with 27" stroke, developing 1,300 ihp (970 kW). It had two marine horizontal multitubular (navy type) boilers. During acceptance trials on 11 August 1922, she achieved an average speed of 14.7 knots in 6 runs, with one maximum of 15 knots, over the measured mile. While this exceeded the contracted speed requirements, she was slower than her sisterships, and earning the name 'slow boat' due to her being 6 metres shorter and of greater beam.[3][8] As a steamship her working speed was 14 knots.

Brand new Baragoola performing sea trials 1922 on Sydney Harbour

The layout of Baragoola's public spaces was typical of Manly ferries built until 1938. In her original open upper deck configuration, she had a summer capacity of 1218 passengers, and a winter capacity of 926. Following her upper-decks being enclosed in the early 1930s, her capacity was 1523 passengers. On the lower deck, aft, was a segregated Ladies Saloon with toilets, a main cabin and forward was a smoking saloon (usually reserved for men) with external toilets. This area also contained the original Mail Room and was the site of the later crew's mess. The internal hull arrangement has two void spaces at either end, a hold immediately aft of the forward void, the engine room behind the hold connected to the control room and (second from the aft) a compartment that contains batteries, auxiliary diesel tank, fresh water tank and the Engineer's Quarters.

She was fitted with electro-hydraulic steering equipment after World War 2 which replaced her earlier chain steering.[9]

In 1961, the vessel was converted to diesel-electric and her tall funnel replaced with one short and squat. Four British Thomson-Houston 7 cylinder diesels were installed, generating a total of 2,000 bhp (1,500 kW), and driving two new English Electric electric engines, enabling her to achieve 16 knots.[10][8] These engines are the only remaining operational ones of their type, having only ever been installed in three Manly ferries. The large steam ferry, Curl Curl was retired when Baragoola was recommissioned following her diesel-electric conversion.

Ferry service

Baragoola was involved in a number of collisions while in service. On Christmas Eve 1926, off Kirribilli Point, she collided with the Sydney Ferries Limited's Kosciusko.[11] On 12 September 1927, Baragoola ran down a lifeboat from the French steamer Ville D'Amiens, five people were thrown out of the lifeboat, one of whom was hospitalised.[12] The people were rescued by two fishing trawlers in the vicinity and the lifeboat was severely damaged. On 28 August 1934, Baragoola struck and killed a whale. The event was widely reported in the media when the disposal of the corpse took multiple attempts over nine days.[13]

Baragoola at Mort's Dock with recently enclosed upper decks. c. 1930

Like her sisters, Bellubera and Barrenjoey, Baragoola's open upper deck was closed-in in 1931/2, improving passenger amenities. At this time, she was modified to trial pulverised coal, however, this was stopped when the vessel and passengers were being showered in coal dust.

Between 8 March and 3 August 1939, Baragoola was converted to an oil burner using tar under natural draught, like the Curl Curl, Dee Why and South Steyne. Improved propellers were fitted at this time.[5] The conversion to oil firing was reversed due to oil shortages during the war, however, with coal bunkers having been previously replaced by oil tanks, she could only make a couple of trips per day and she smoked badly without forced draft being available.[3] Modifications in 1948 included the replacement of her chain-operated steering gear with Brown Brothers (later known as Vickers) hydraulic equipment. In 1958, Baragoola was withdrawn for a rebuild including the replacement of its steam engines with English Electric 7SKM diesel-electric engines. It returned to service in 1961. In 1973 and loaded with sight-seers, she took part in the on-Harbour celebrations for the opening of the Sydney Opera House.[3]

Baragoola was included in the sale of Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company to Brambles in April 1972. It had a re-fit in 1974.[14] In December 1974, the Manly service was taken over by the NSW State Government and her traditional Manly ferry colours of green, cream and brown were replaced by the Public Transport Commission's blue and white.[4][5][15][16] Following the 1982 delivery of the Freshwater, Baragoola was withdrawn on 8 January 1983 gaining significant media coverage. A second new ferry, Queenscliff, entered service in 1983, several years after which, the aging North Head was retired from service.

Post service life

Baragoola was sold to Bob Hyde for use as a floating university. The university never eventuated, and she was laid up at Rozelle Bay until 1988 when she was sold to David Ashton of Waterview Wharf, Balmain.[6] In late 2003, she was evicted from Waterview Wharf and relocated to the Coal Loader in Balls Head Bay where it remains today.

In 2009, following a period of animosity from NSW Maritime, Ashton offered the vessel for sale by auction and she passed into ownership of Adrian Thompson, who considered scrapping the vessel.[17] In March 2010, Baragoola was sold to the Baragoola Preservation Association, a not for profit organisation who have undertaken the task of restoring the vessel.[18]

An Australian Army training activity with Black Hawk helicopters and the adjacently moored Cape Don, damaged the vessel's upper works on 1 December 2010.[19] The vessel is listed on the Australian Register of Historic Vessels[20]

  • Being launched, 1922
  • At the Kurraba Point base in her original configuration, 1920s
  • Crossing Sydney Heads early 1930s, after her wheelhouses were extended to provide officer accommodation
  • In Mort's Dock post 1932 (her upper decks have been enclosed)
  • With her enclosed upper deck. Leaving Circular Quay, 1937.
  • At Manly Wharf in 1951 as a steamer showing the 1940s, rebuilt and fully extended wheelhouses. She was converted to diesel-electric propulsion in 1961.
  • Approaching Circular Quay after her 1961 conversion to diesel-electric power with North Head in the background, 1964
  • Crossing Sydney Heads with North Head in the background. As a Brambles Limited ferry, 1974.
  • En route to Circular Quay in her Public Transport Commission colours, 1978

Contemporary condition
  • Baragoola at her current location laid up at Balls Head Bay in June 2011
  • Control Room
  • Engine Room
  • Main Cabin
  • Smoking Saloon
  • Upper Deck
  • MV Baragoola, forward weather deck
  • Lower deck, starboard bulwarks
  • Aft propulsion motor
  • Engine controls
  • Bow
  • Baragoola in April 2012
  • Upper deck passenger accommodation

See also

References
  1. "New Manly Ferry Launched Today". The Evening News. 14 February 1922. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  2. savethebaragoola.com
  3. Andrews, Graeme (1982). A Pictorial History of Ferries: Sydney and Surrounding Waterways. Sydney: AH & AW Reed Pty Ltd. pp. 44, 45. ISBN 0589503863.
  4. Baragoola Ferries of Sydney
  5. Manly Ferries Balgowlah, Barrenjoey & Baragoola History Works December 2007
  6. Mead, Tom (1988). Manly Ferries of Sydney Harbour. Brookvale: Child & Associates. p. 165. ISBN 0 86777 091 0.
  7. Gunter, John (1978). Across The Harbour: The Story of Sydney's Ferries. Rigby Ltd. p. 22. ISBN 0727007157.
  8. Andrews, Graeme (1975). The Ferries of Sydney. A.H. & A.W. Reed Pty Ltd. p. 48. ISBN 0589071726.
  9. "The Manly Ferry" (PDF). A.M. Prescott. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  10. Prescott, AM (1984). Sydney Ferry Fleet. Magill South Australia: Ronald H Parsons. p. 59. ISBN 0909418306.
  11. Marine Court Sydney Morning Herald 10 February 1927
  12. Ferry Boat and Skiff Collide in Sydney Harbour Sydney Morning Herald 13 September 1927
  13. with whale adventure in Sydney Harbour Sydney Morning Herald 28 August 1934
  14. Andrews, Graeme (1975). The Ferries of Sydney. A.H. & A.W. Reed Pty Ltd. p. 47. ISBN 0589071726.
  15. tHansard 13 November 1974 Archived 21 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine New South Wales Legislative Assembly
  16. Andrews, Graeme (1982). A Pictorial History of Ferries: Sydney and Surrounding Waterways. Sydney: AH & AW Reed Pty Ltd. p. 114. ISBN 0589503863.
  17. Baragoola - Triumph & Tragedy David Ashton 2010
  18. Baragoola Restoration Steams Ahead Manly Daily 28 September 2010|
  19. Black Hawk down draught - veteran ferry cops a blast The Daily Advertiser 2 December 2010
  20. Baragoola Australian Register of Historic Vessels
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