Kooroongaba Explained

SS Kooroongaba was a vehicle ferry built for Sydney Ferries Limited. It later operated in Newcastle.

History

Kooroongaba was built by the Walsh Island Dockyard & Engineering Works, Newcastle for Sydney Ferries Limited to operate vehicle ferry services from Circular Quay to Jeffrey Street.^[1] Made redundant by the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932, Kooroongabba was then used as a cargo carrier.^{[2] [3]}

It was then sold to the Department of Main Roads and moved to Newcastle to operate as a vehicle ferry between Newcastle and Stockton. It remained in service until replaced by the Stockton Bridge in November 1971.^{[3] [4] [5]} It was sold in 1972 to the Philippines but sank off Crowdy Head while under tow.^{[2] [6]}

Notes and References

1. The Newcastle - Stockton Vehicular Ferry Main Roads November 1932 page 27
2. https://web.archive.org/web/20160227125337/http://ferriesofsydney.com/kooroongabba.html SS Kooroongabba
3. http://www.billbottomley.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ch3.pdf The Kooroongabba
4. Newcastle - Stockton Vehicular Ferry Service Main Roads September 1972 pages 29-31
5. The End of an Era Trolley Wire issue 139 April 1972 pages 10-17
6. "Manila tug to make last bid to free Sydney ferry" Sydney Morning Herald 16 January 1972