Kosciusko (ferry)

''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, ''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'' was built in 1911 by David Drake, of Balmain for £12,617. 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

* 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.
* 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.
* December 1926, ''Kosciusko'' collided with Manly ferry '' Baragoola'' off ''Bennelong Point''.
* 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.
* August 1937, ''Kosciusko'' collided head on with ferry ''Kiamala'' causing significant damage to both vessels.

Timeline

File:Sydney Ferries KOSCIUSKO and KUBU at Circular Quay 1956.tif, ''Kosciusko'' (left) as a steamer alongside '' Kubu'' (right) at Circular Quay in their post mid 1930s yellow and green livery, 1956
File:Sydney Ferry KOSCIUSKO on the Taronga Zoo run 1955.jpg, ''Kosciusko'' on the Taronga Zoo run 1955
File:Sydney Ferry KOSCIUSKO berths at Darling Street Wharf at East Balmain 1960s.jpg, Approaching Darling Street Wharf ( East Balmain Wharf) in the 1960s following her conversion to diesel
File:Sydney ferry KOSCISUKO on Sydney Harbour off Cremorne Point in Public Transport Commission colours 17 Jan 1972.jpg, ''Kosciusko'' off Cremorne Point as a diesel vessel, 1973
File:Sydney ferry KOSCIUSKO on Woodleys slip August 1973.jpg, ''Kosciusko'' on Woodleys slip for maintenance, August 1973
File:Sydney Ferry KOSCIUSKO passing the newly opened Opera House in Sydney Cove Circular Quay 25 Oct 1973.jpg, ''Kosciusko'' passing the newly opened Sydney Opera House in Public Transport Commission colours, 25 October 1973
File:Sydney ferries KOSCISUSKO and LADY FERGUSON boarded for trip to Hobart 1975.jpg, ''Kosciusko'' boarded up ready for the tow to Hobart following the collapse of the Tasman Bridge, 1975
File:Sydney Ferry in Hobart to assist following the 1975 collapse of the Tasman Bridge.jpg, ''Kosciusko'' in Hobart to assist following the collapse of the Tasman Bridge

See also

* List of Sydney Harbour ferries
* Timeline of Sydney Harbour ferries
* Sydney K-class ferries

References

Further reading

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External links

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{{Sydneyferries, state=collapsed

Ferries of New South Wales
Ferry transport in Sydney
1911 ships
Sydney Harbour
Water transport in New South Wales
Sydney K-class ferries