ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net
With Reuben Goossens
Maritime Historian
“Save
the MV Baragoola Campaign”
Originally built as a Steamer but converted into a Motor Vessel
between 1958-61
“News Updates”
are at the bottom of the page
Sydney to Manly Ferry MV Baragoola arriving at her berth
and has her forward engines working to come to a halt
Photo National Library of Australia
It may be unusual for ssMaritime to commence a campaign to save an 87 year old Ocean going Sydney to Manly Ferry the MV Baragoola. However, having lived in Glebe, being central Sydney, I have spent a great deal of time on the many Sydney ferries including back in the “old days” the MV Baragoola. I know that she has been laid up for a very long time and the authorities certainly have not been of any assistance with giving her a suitable berth for the purpose she was purchased for by a private person who had the world’s best intensions! But you will learn more about that later down this page.
Today this remarkable vessel could be in danger and Australian’s who respect and love our rich maritime history must ensure that the MV Baragoola is obtained and kept safe for our future generations. At the bottom of this page (which coverers her history) I have placed a few ideas of what we can and should do with her, but right now, we need men and women with a vision to come forward with ideas and the funds to obtain her that we may ensure he a future with the idea of restoring this remarkable and historic vessel for our pleasure and that of our future generations!
Please
note: I am
grateful to a number sites including the Save the Baragoola & information
site and others. Much of the information that I show on this page has been
gleaned from these wonderful sources and I have even used the format from one
as I wished to get this page up and running ad soon as possible. However, I
have rewritten and added information myself and that obtained elsewhere.
Credits are shown at the bottom of the page.
Building the
Steamer Baragoola
She was the last of a series of six ferries
which were designed by the Port
Jackson & Manly Steamship Co. Ltd., and was built
in
Baragoola seen just prior to her launching
Image from Graham Andrew
webpage: www.savethebaragoola.com
SS Baragoola being launched on
February14, 1922 – Please Note the “G” in BARAGOOLA tends to look like a “C”
See the image below
Photo National Library of Australia
Note: the “G” of BARAGOOLA looks more like a
“C”
you can see that it is meant to be a G at the bottom of what
only appears to looks like C from a distance!
As soon as she had completed her fitting out
and speed trials, at which she achieved a good 15 knots, she was delivered to
her owners on
Engines
Baragoola's original engines were three cylinder triple-expansion steam engines, supplied and built by Mort's. They deliver 1,300 horsepower and drove her at a maximum speed of 15 knots. The steam to drive her was supplied by two boilers. As built, she was (like her sisters), a coal burner. In the 1930's an attempt was made to trial her on burning “pulverised coal.” This had the unwanted effect of covering the ferry and her passengers in coal dust and was soon abandoned. For a short time in 1939 she was converted to burn tar but was reverted back to coal as tar became too expensive during World War 2.
Historic photo - Circa 1930
Author’s collection
In December of 1958 she was returned to Mort’s to be fitted with new engines that were originally destined for one of the older ferries. Just over two years later Baragoola returned to service being powered by four brand new English Electric seven cylinder diesel electric generators driving efficient electric motors at her bow and stern. At her trials she operated at a good 17.8 knots and would have a service speed of 16 knots.
A new appearance
As built Baragoola looked identical to her elder sisters having a closed in lower deck and completely open promenade deck. However, the Baragoola became the very first of the Manly ferry fleet to have her promenade deck enclosed in 1930/31. This refit also extended the crew accommodations behind the two wheel-houses.
She is being completed from her refit in 1931
Photo G.E. Crane
Later other changes would be made during a refit and although they were minor, the most notable would be the shortening of her original slim tall funnel to a shorter and thicker funnel following receiving her diesel-electric engines in 1961.
Passenger seating on Promenade Deck forward
Photographer unknown - *See photo notes at bottom of page
A fine Postcard of the MV Baragoola
Author’s collection
Today MV Baragoola retains that same look, just as she has had for some
80 years. Baragoola was also
the first Manly ferry to lose the distinctive bottle green colour scheme that had
branded the fleet for nearly a century when, in 1974, she was painted in the
blue and white of the
A postcard with a photo of her taken during her blue and
white years
Author’s collection
Her lower passenger deck seen in her latter years
Sent
in by Jonathan Thurston of the
*See
photo notes at bottom of page
Specifications.
Baragoola’s number: 150182.
Built
by: Mort’s Dock and
Engineering Co. Ltd in Woolwich, NSW.
Launched: February 14, 1922.
Tonnage: 498 gross tons, 339 net tons.
Dimensions: Length 199.5ft - 60.45m.
Breadth: 34.Ift - 10.4m.
Draught: 12.2ft - 3.71m.
Engines original: Mort’s triple-expansion Steam. 1960 - Diesel electric.
Screws: Single - fore & aft.
Speed: Steamer: 14 Knots service/15 during trials –
Electric Motors: 16 knots service speed
Superstructure: Wood and steel.
Passenger capacity: 1512 passengers
A Black and white study of this popular ship
Postcard – author’s collection
Baragoola’s Promenade Deck
Sydney Ferries publicity photo
Misadventures
Baragoola has mostly an uneventful life during her service on the Manly run. However, she did have the odd encounter.
On
The French Messageries Maritimes passenger cargo liner, SS
Ville d’ Amiens
Author’s collection
I have been
told that the Baragoola holds the dubious
“record” of hitting the strangest object in the harbour when on
Times
are’a’changing
In 1973 the Opera House was opened and a week
later the Baragoola was nearly
lost. She had just come from being refitted and she began taking on water
faster than it could be pumped out. She limped into the Quay, unloaded her passengers
and was rushed off to Balmain ferry workshops. Only the attentions of the local
fire brigade prevented her from sinking. As it turned out, one of the Baragoola's two pumps were not
working and the bilge pump could not cope with the amount of water she was
taking on after springing a leak. The pumps were repaired and the split hull
plates were patched up. Like most aging ferries, the Baragoola had over a dozen patches by the time she left service;
however in contrast the North Head
had none.
Baragoola seen near Sydney Heads in some really bad stormy
seas!
A Press photo
On June 23, 1972 all ferry services to Manly were suspended due to extreme rough weather. Wind gusts of up to 100 km/h were recorded and wave heights measured 12 metres inside the Heads, which these ferries have to pass to and from Manly. Ferries returning on their last voyages during this extreme weather suffered extensive damage, with the Baragoola having seats torn out, whilst 10 metres of the South Steyne's bulwark was ripped off and windows and a door on the Bellubera were damaged and a bollard on the hydrofoil Fairlight was snapped right off. Sadly, one passenger on the Baragoola suffered head injuries. Today's Freshwater class ferries are incapable of operating in conditions like those.
During her career there were even three people who attempted to commit suicide by jumping off the Baragoola, sadly one succeeded, the other two were rescued.
She is seen here passing the Sydney Opera House towards the
end of her Blue days
Postcard from the author’s collection
Her send-off
MV Baragoola operated her final service from
Circular Quay to Manly on
Retirement
Prior to her retirement in 1983 plans were
already afoot to preserve the Baragoola. As early as 1980 there was a group of
Manly businessmen who had shown interest to acquire her and use her as a
floating museum moored at Manly. However, as usual the Manly Chamber of
Commerce opposed the plan believing that she would be an eyesore, the very vessel
that served the Many community so faithfully for some 61 years and a beautiful
vessel, especially once she had been refitted and restored. Just look at the
superb South Steyne at
In March 1983 an offer of $100,000 was made for the ferry by a Fairlight man who wanted to turn her into a floating restaurant. This time Manly Council blocked the attempt as they didn't want something as large as the Baragoola permanently moored in Manly Cove where, they claimed, “it could obstruct the possible rebuilding of the harbour pool and be in the way of ferries and water taxi operations.”
By late 1983 she was tied up at
Interiors during
retirement and refit
Promenade Deck
Photographer of these images is unknown - *See photo notes at bottom of page
Lower Deck
Amidships stairs
Finally in 1988 she was sold to David Ashton (Waterview Wharf Pty Ltd) and moved to Rozelle
Bay. Later she was moved to
On
“People ask me every day what's
happening with it,” he said. “I haven't been across there in two
years. It upsets me too much. I haven't got the strength any more. I will just
leave it there.” Sydney Morning Herald
Heritage
value
Baragoola is heritage listed; the following quote is
from the heritage report that can be found here.
“M.V. Baragoola provides rare evidence
of the large ferry system which stimulated the growth of suburban
Save the MV
Baragoola!
However, I have been advised that there have are signs that there she could once be resold with the removal of the preservation order in sight, and thus she would be in danger of being scrapped.
One of the major problems in this country of Australia is the sheer lack of pride in our own maritime history and councils and harbour authorities, the no brain bureaucrats, just do not understand that we need to retain precious memories like the Baragoola alive and if at all possible in an operational condition.
I have been involved in saving a 95 year old
passenger ship that was recorded as being officially “the oldest fully
operational motor passenger ship sailing the seas”, but now she will
become a hotel and tourist venture in
I believe that should a group would come
together and take on the MV Baragoola and have her restored 1. As a museum. 2. Tourist attraction. 3. Café/Restaurant. 4.
But also ensure that she is available for charters and can sail, be it Harbour
cruises or deep sea voyages, let’s say; to and from
MV BARAGOOLA NEWS
UPDATES
Baragoola Damaged by the Australian Defence Force’s STUPIDITY!
November 1, 2010: Mr. Glen Levett was on board the famed and historic
former Sydney Manly ferry the MV Baragoola preparing the vessel for an open
weekend, and whilst fast asleep at night one night, suddenly he awoke by the
roaring sound of engines and rotor blades nearby, in fact they seemed far to
close for comfort! It was a wet and windy night, it was so loud that he
realised that something was very wrong indeed! In fact there were five Black
Hawk helicopters over the harbour during the very early hours of the morning
and one of these was hovering just metres above the Baragoola.
Mr. Levett said: '”It was a little bit
before 1 AM, and there was a God Almighty noise above the boat, I came out, and
in the dark and there was a helicopter hovering right above us, basically it
just hovered there for about half an hour.”
It is understood the helicopters were taking
part in a training exercise focused on another ship which was located just near
the Baragoola and is also under restoration the MV Cape Don, moored at the same
dock at Balls Head, Waverton near Sydney.
As dawn broke, Mr Levett who is one of the
founders of the “Baragoola Preservation Association”, realised that
the down draught from the helicopter’s rotors had caused havoc on the 88 year
old ferry for the wheelhouse panels, which were in poor condition and were to
be reconditioned, were blown away, and the railings was almost flattened. The
down draught had also blown away protective sheeting that were on deck as well
as on the roof, thus this allowed a substantial amount of rain to penetrate
down into the vessel and cause damage to her historic interiors.
“There is water everywhere … I’ve
got buckets and barrels all over the ship collecting all the dripping water.’
Mr Levett said. Tragically this damage has come during restorations worth
thousands of dollars. The association has made a formal complaint,
however the president, Mr. Lance Lyon, did not wish to comment until the army
had a chance to respond, except to say it was “not terribly sensible hovering
above a 90-year-old boat.”
“The aircraft were supposed to be above the Cape Don, but instead it hovered some 10 metres back over Baragoola,” the letter of complaint said. The association says it was not advised about the exercise and it intends to seek compensation. The Defence Department said ADF personnel in Sydney were conducting training this week involving “helicopters and a small element of ground troops” in Alexandria, North Sydney and Holsworthy. They did not provide information about this specific incident, except to say they will take statements of claim for damages.
We certainly hope that the ADF will do that
which is right and will compensate the “Baragoola Preservation
Association” for all the damage they have caused!
***********************
May 2010: She is now
under the ownership of Baragoola
Preservation Association and they are actively raising funds to restore this
superb vessel to her original condition.
I need your help – PLEASE read this page NOW!
Please join the “Save the Baragoola Campaign” - I suggest that if you are interested in assisting in saving this most vital piece of maritime/ferry history that you visit: www.savethebaragoola.com and support this important work to the fullest!
Also view the following YouTube items: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZHi9xCvHdY – 5 minute slide presentation of her history.
Also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MvQPv4VSbI&feature=related – 3.21 minute film of Baragoola laid up in
***********************
Previous News Items: (Just for
interest)
November 2009: I am told that there are certain ownership
issues that are currently being worked out. In addition, it turns out that the
Baragoola has to be relocated somewhere but obviously she needs to remain close
to
April 16: I sent the
owner an email regarding its condition and he stated in regard to my statement
that he had not disclosed her leakage and the extraordinary high price –
“leaks like a sift & I can put any price on it I want.” I also
reported her to eBay as the listing had the wrong location and there was a lack
of detail in regard to her condition. However, not even a fool would bid on
her, considering, yu would have to inspect her
personally, and certainly not but a vessel like this unseen from eBay. We are
dealing with a sad amateur here and they are the most dangerous in the long
term, for they will not have the vessel’s future at heart!
For further new & details visit: www.savethebaragoola.com
Postcard – author’s collection
Special thank you to Graham Andrew’s www.savethebaragoola.com for some of
the layout and information
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***********************************
Who is the Author of ssMaritime?
Commenced
in the passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960
Also
visit my …
“Save The Classic Liners Campaign” & “Classic Ocean Voyages”