8 January 1972 - "Koondooloo" founders at Trial Bay, South West Rocks, NSW
January 8, 1972 began the day of the ferry graveyard at Trial Bay, South West Rocks. The passenger ferry "Sydney Queen" and the vehicular ferries "Koondooloo " and "Lurgurena" were blown ashore by strong winds after breaking their moorings in Trial Bay. These vessels in company with another vehicular ferry "Kooroongaba" were being towed to the Philippines for scrapping. The "Kooroongaba" sprung a plate and sank in 65 fathoms of water off Crowdy Head, New South Wales. In 1937 Koondooloo was to become Sydney's first showboat, and was such a success that a second larger vessel the Kalang was refitted and put into service in 1938.
When war broke out, both vessels were requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy and sent to New Guinea in 1942 and used as floating workshops. After the war, both vessels returned to Sydney. Kalang was extensively refitted and was once again back in service as an entertainment three deck ferry, cruising Sydney Harbour, Koondooloo became a vehicular ferry and carried traffic across the Hunter River at Newcastle. During the 1950's Kalang started to loose money so she was again refitted and it's name changed to "Sydney Queen". This was successful for a short time, but when business started to decline "Sydney Queen" was finally layed up in July, 1961.
In 1971 the Stockton Bridge at Newcastle was opened. The vehicular ferries Koondooloo, Lurgurena and Kooroongaba, became redundant and were put up for sale. The Sydney Queen who had been idle for ten years was also put up for sale, and all were sold to the same company and prepared for a voyage to the Philippines for scrapping. The rest is now history,
The Kalang, (Sydney Queen) was set afire by the owners in an attempt to stop vandals stealing everything on board. Today not much of the wrecks can be seen, but if there is strong winds and heavy seas, then parts of the vessels may become visible, just enough to notice the rusting structure that was once indeed a historic part of Australian maritime history.
Source: www.mypage.tsn.cc/kato/ferry story.htm
Scanned from postcard in personal collection
8 January 1972 - "Koondooloo" founders at Trial Bay, South West Rocks, NSW
January 8, 1972 began the day of the ferry graveyard at Trial Bay, South West Rocks. The passenger ferry "Sydney Queen" and the vehicular ferries "Koondooloo " and "Lurgurena" were blown ashore by strong winds after breaking their moorings in Trial Bay. These vessels in company with another vehicular ferry "Kooroongaba" were being towed to the Philippines for scrapping. The "Kooroongaba" sprung a plate and sank in 65 fathoms of water off Crowdy Head, New South Wales. In 1937 Koondooloo was to become Sydney's first showboat, and was such a success that a second larger vessel the Kalang was refitted and put into service in 1938.
When war broke out, both vessels were requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy and sent to New Guinea in 1942 and used as floating workshops. After the war, both vessels returned to Sydney. Kalang was extensively refitted and was once again back in service as an entertainment three deck ferry, cruising Sydney Harbour, Koondooloo became a vehicular ferry and carried traffic across the Hunter River at Newcastle. During the 1950's Kalang started to loose money so she was again refitted and it's name changed to "Sydney Queen". This was successful for a short time, but when business started to decline "Sydney Queen" was finally layed up in July, 1961.
In 1971 the Stockton Bridge at Newcastle was opened. The vehicular ferries Koondooloo, Lurgurena and Kooroongaba, became redundant and were put up for sale. The Sydney Queen who had been idle for ten years was also put up for sale, and all were sold to the same company and prepared for a voyage to the Philippines for scrapping. The rest is now history,
The Kalang, (Sydney Queen) was set afire by the owners in an attempt to stop vandals stealing everything on board. Today not much of the wrecks can be seen, but if there is strong winds and heavy seas, then parts of the vessels may become visible, just enough to notice the rusting structure that was once indeed a historic part of Australian maritime history.
Source: www.mypage.tsn.cc/kato/ferry story.htm
Scanned from postcard in personal collection