Vessels of the Sydney Heritage Fleet

With thanks to Andy Munns

Operational Vessels

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.

Waratah is a coal-fired steam tug and was launched at Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney on the 22nd May 1902. Originally named Burunda, she was used to tow dredges and barges between the various ports along the NSW coast. Waratah was primarily a Newcastle-based vessel, however this remarkable old steamship often served on Sydney Harbour on infrastructure projects for the Public Works Department and as relief pilot steamer.

Lady Hopetoun is a 1902 VIP steam launch named after wife of the Governor General of Australia. She was built in the W.M. Ford yard at Berrys Bay, Sydney and launched on the tenth of April. Lady Hopetoun is renowned for carrying an impressive number of VIPs and royalty on Sydney Harbour excursions. She has been a vital part of Sydney Harbour’s heritage since 1902.

Boomerang was launched as the Bona on 24 September 1903; the schooner was designed by the noted Sydney naval architect Walter Reeks. Boomerang was derigged in about 1968 and now operates as a motor vessel on Sydney Harbour.

Protex is a 1908 inner-harbour motor launch. Her owners at the time gave all of their vessels a name starting with the prefix ‘Pro’. As this little launch sometimes worked for the Colgate factory who manufactured the Protex brand of soap, she was given this name. Protex’s nickname was ‘the soap boat’.

Harman is a 1947 ex-RAN harbour workboat/passenger motor launch that worked transporting workers and staff to and from Cockatoo Island Dockyard.

Berrima is a 1954 Botany Bay workboat/passenger motor launch that worked as a line-handling boat and at times the pilot vessel for Botany Bay.

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. These vessels are considered ‘young’ by Heritage Fleet members; however, these twins are approaching 50 years of age.

Vessels Under Restoration

John Oxley is a steamship that previously served as a pilot boat and lighthouse and buoy tender. The ship was built in Scotland in 1927 for the Queensland state government. This vessel was built along the lines of a coastal steamship. There were many of this type of vessel working along the Australian coast. Their work was taken over by road and rail transport, and John Oxley is the last vessel of its type in Australian waters.

Kanangra is a 1912 Sydney Ferries Limited ferry with a steel hull and wooden superstructure. Before the Harbour Bridge joined North Sydney to the City of Sydney, these vessels transported huge numbers of commuters each day. When the Harbour Bridge opened, the ferry service patronage fell dramatically and many ferries were scrapped. Nevertheless Kanangra survived and served on the Mosman run, and also ferried large numbers of workers to and from Cockatoo Island Dockyard. Kanangra today is waiting for a long overdue hull restoration.

Kookaburra II is a 1950s wooden speed boat. This vessel originally operated as part of a fleet of speedboats from Manly baths and later from North Sydney.

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Further Reading