CHRISTINE J (ALMA G II) (1947 - 2017) Sunk in the Shoalhaven River January 2017

In January 2017 the Christine J sank in the Shoalhaven River. Attempts were made to refloat her in February but the move failed as she sank again. In August 2017 cables were attached and she was extracted from the river by crane. After lifting the Christine J out of the Shoalhaven River in August 2017, she simply disintegrated. This sad end to what was once the ALMA G II built by Alf Jahnsen in 1947, and the pride of Forster-Tuncurry no longer exists. Shortly after this shot was taken she was scraped up with a front end loader, put in a truck and taken to the tip.

 

More images are in the Album ALMA G II - CHRISTINE J

 

UPDATED AUGUST 2021 - Chris Borough

 

Details

Name: ALMA G II (Christine J from 1947)

Origin of Name: Named after Wylie Gregory's wife - Alma Gregory

Type: Ferry

Length: Estimated 45 ft

Builders: Alf Jahnsen and Leo Royan

Launched: October 1947

 

As Registered - December 1964

ON: 317060

Dimensions

Length: 43.25 ft

Breadth: 14.6 ft

Depth: 4.2 ft

Gross Tonnage: 23.12 (nb 1 shipping ton = 100 cu. ft.)

Net Tonnage: 15.69

Engine: 6 cyl. 4 stroke Diesel; British made 1961

Diameter: 3 7/8" Stroke: 4 1/4"

Supplier: Clae Engine Pty Ltd, Bankstown, NSW

Estimated speed: 9 Knots

 

Owners:

1947 – 1953 Wylie R. Gregory

1953 – 1955 Estate of the late W. R. Gregory

1956 – 1963 Wesley Gregory

1959 – Wesley Gregory (converted to fishing vessel)

1963 – 1969 David Beatty Adams (Cronulla)

1964 - RENAMED - CHRISTINE J

Registration: ON 317060 (1/1964)

1969 – ? Estate of D. B. Adams

Before 1995 1995 – 2005 Joan and Don Adams

2005 – Michael Grech

2016 - sold (owners unknown)

 

ALMA G and ALMA G II

Construction of the ALMA G II commenced during 1946; it is believed that she was launched in October 1947 without fanfare and no record of the event has been found in the newspapers. When Wylie Gregory ordered the ALMA G II, his first ferry (ALMA G) was well patronised and Gregory could see potential for an enhanced service. But by early 1947, while the ALMA G II was being constructed, Wylie appears to have been in financial difficulties and saw the need to dispose of the ALMA G to pay for his new ferry.

 

He advertised the ALMA G in March 1947 and again in May 1947:

“THE new and up to date Passenger Launch ALMA G 45 x 16 x 3ft 2 in. launched Jan 1946. Maiden voyage Sept. 26 last. New 4 cylinder marine Gardner Diesel 10 miles per hour. Separate lighting plant licensed to seat 80 passengers. All new equipment Everything guaranteed. Any trial given. Photo on application to WYLIE R GREGORY Forster Phone 10 or UJ5738”. The Sydney Morning Herald - Saturday 15 March 1947

 

The ALMA G was sold in 1948 to the Cronulla Ferry Service (Cliff Mallam) leaving only a short period of a few months when both the ALMA G and the ALMA G II operated together on Wallis Lake.

 

Operation of the ALMA G II

The ALMA G II was popular both for use as a regular ferry and for special events. She had to compete for patronage with the free service provided to passengers travelling on the vehicular ferry service - then operated by Henry Cooke. The ALMA G II offered a quick, undercover service that many were prepared to pay for. His business received a boost in April 1949 when Brian Ivens, proprietor of the Red Bus Service, announced he would “use the passenger ferry "Alma-G II" as much as possible, to convey passengers between Tuncurry and Forster. A bus will be stationed at Forster which will pick up passengers and take them to and from the wharf.” The Manning River Times - 2 April 1949

 

At Tuncurry both the vehicle ferry and the passenger ferry had to share the same wharf. Cooke complained that the Alma G II had interfered with the berthing of the ferry on Tuncurry side; Council decided to ask the operator of the Alma G II to keep clear of the punt on the Tuncurry approach.

 

By December 1949, however, Wylie Gregory had reached the end of his tether and discontinued the private ferry service. His letter sums up his frustration: “Owing to the unsatisfactory arrangement which still exists through no fault of ours, the Alma G II passenger service operating between Tuncurry and. Forster will cease to run on and after 10 p.m. Sunday next 11th December. This service was commenced with the object of bringing Tuncurry and Forster into line with the times and the progress of the two towns — in fact it was then 10 years too late. Now we have the retrogressive step which I will watch with interest. I have no apologies to make. I have put our unsatisfactory position to all Departments concerned, but after 4 years I am still not able to do what is an absolute necessity to give a safer and faster service in all weathers”. The Northern Champion - 10 December 1949

 

Despite Gregory’s announcement that he would cease his passenger ferry service, he continued operation, albeit under duress with continued problems with the operator of the vehicle ferry service.

 

1949 - Dramatic Rescue

In 1949 the ALMA G II was involved in a dramatic rescue. “When a small flat-bottomed boat was swept over the bar and capsized in the surf at Forster, on Wednesday, two people were rescued in dramatic circumstances. An outstanding feat was per formed by Mr. Wellesley Gregory in the rescue of the two people in the boat — Mr. McIntosh and his daughter, both from Cessnock, visitors to Forster. The visitors' small boat was caught in the surf over the bar, and capsized. Mr. Wellesley Gregory went to their assistance in his launch, but got into difficulties because of the seas. A dramatic turn came when his brother, Mr. Wylie Gregory, rushed to his assistance in his launch, the Alma G II. After lines were passed to Mr. McIntosh and his daughter in the surf, they were taken aboard the boat belonging to Mr. Wellesley Gregory. However, his boat was then in difficulties, and frequently almost filled with water. The two drenched and severely shocked visitors were transhipped to the Alma G II, Mr. Wylie Gregory taking a grave risk in his attempt to assist his brother who also had been in grave danger most of the time of the rescue.” The Northern Champion - 11 May 1949

 

1953 – Wylie Gregory’s untimely death

Wylie Gregory continued to be harangued by the vehicular ferry operators, Charles Blows & Sons, who had taken on the contract after Henry Cooke. Eventually Gregory was forced by Manning Council to use another wharf at Tuncurry. In July 1953 Wylie was found dead at the rear of his home in Wharf Street with a bullet in his head and a .303 rifle by his side. The Manning River Times - 27 July 1953. The Coroner ruled death by suicide.

 

After Wylie’s untimely death, the vessel was owned by the Estate of the W. R. Gregory and was operated as a ferry by his son, Wesley Earl Gregory. The ALMA G II was brought back into service in January 1954 The Manning River Times - 6 January 1954.

 

The last recorded use of the ALMA G II as a ferry was in October 1954 when she was “gaily decorated” and took the wedding guests from Tuncurry to Forster.

 

Converted to Fishing Boat - circa 1959

In 1956, ownership was transferred to Wesley Gregory who later converted her to a fishing boat with Alf Jahnsen building a small cabin; her engine was changed to a Ford Lees diesel.

 

ALMA G II sold to David Beatty Adams – Cronulla in 1963

The register shows that Wesley Gregory sold the ALMA G II in 1963 - supported by photograph of her at the launch of the Aloha at Tuncurry in 1963. Although she was reportedly operating around 1962 – 1963 for the CSIRO Division of Fisheries at Newcastle and Cronulla (Howard, P (1995) - The Ferrymen) this seems to be inaccurate.

 

After Dave Adams of Cronulla purchased her in 1963, he converted her to an outside fishing/touring boat, registered her (ON 317060 (1/1964)) and renamed her CHRISTINE J; Christine was the name of Dave Adams’ daughter. Dave changed her engine to an “NH220” Cummins diesel and lengthened the cabin to provide accommodation and cooking facilities. (Howard, P (1995). The Ferrymen)

 

Following Dave Adams’ death in 1969 she was owned by the estate of the late D. Adams and was eventually transferred (date unknown) into the names of Joan Adams (Dave’s wife) and Don Adams (Dave’s son).

 

Sold to Michael Grech in 2005

"CHRISTINE J" was sold to Michael Grech of Shoalhaven River Cruise based at Nowra. Michael converted her back to a ferry – quite a substantial undertaking. She operated on the Shoalhaven River until 2014 when she was retired and replaced by the Shoalhaven Explorer.

 

Sad end for the ALMA G II/CHRISTINE J

Michael Grech sold the Christine J in 2016. In January 2017 she sank in the Shoalhaven River. Attempts to refloat her in February 2017 were unsuccessful and finally she was removed from the river in August 2017 only to collapse into a pile of rubble on the shore of the river.

 

Image Source: South Coast Register

 

All Images in this photostream are Copyright - Great Lakes Manning River Shipping and/or their individual owners as may be stated above and may not be downloaded, reproduced, or used in any way without prior written approval.

 

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