BULLI COAL Company Illawarra New South Wales

BULLI 1872-77	WONIORA 1863-82	BARWON 1863-71

BULLI Wollongong City Library 1st image courtesy of Wollongong City Library 2nd image courtesy State Library Victoria

BULLI 524 gross tons, 337 net. Lbd: 180'1" x 23'2" x 15'9". Iron screw steamship, collier, with limited passenger capacity and built by Lewis & Stockwell at Greenwich, London for the Bulli Coal Mining Co Ltd., Sydney. Could carry 49 passengers in 2 classes. Had no set itiniary as regular ports of call, with Launceston being more frequented of any other ports. June 27th 1877 wrecked on a submerged rock at the Kent Group of Islands, Bass Strait whilst taking shelter during a storm. She was Launceston bound from Newcastle New South Wales, fortunately no lives lost WONIORA 226 gross tons, 160 net. Lbd: 141' x 20'1" x 10'4". Iron single screw steamship, collier, three masts rigged as a schooner. 123 nhp. Built by Wigham Richardson, Low Walker Newcastle Upon Tyne for this concern. Although constructed as a collier, she also carried passengers where possible in accordance with her design. Foundered in heavy seas after rolling on her beam ends, five miles south-east of Botany Heads, 28th October 1882. Carried no passengers at the time, however fifteen crew were lost. The only survivor managed to grasp a plank until an upturned boat drifted within reach. He managed to right it and eventually landed at Botany Bay opposite La Perouse BARWON 401 gross tons, 311 net. Lbd: 175' x 22'7" x 13'5". Iron steamship built at Grenock, Glasgow for R Little & Co., Glasgow, Of 90 horsepower. 1865 of Robert Neill, Geelong Victoria (possibly an agent for R Little) and in November that year ran Melbourne - Sydney to Hokitika, New Zealand as likely carrying passengers for the goldfields. 1866 was chartered to convey coal from Newcastle to Melbourne as well as passengers from Sydney to Melbourne. Stranded at Queenscliff Victoria on the 24th June 1866 and abandoned to underwriters. Purchased by S G Henty, of western Victoria who refloated her in a successful salvage whereupon she steamed without assistence to Melbourne for necessary repairs. Re-registered at Melbourne 1867 with dimensions being 419 gross tons, 366 net and Lbd: 172'3" x 21'6" x 14'. March 1868 sold to the Bulli Coal Mining Co., Sydney for use as a collier. April 3rd 1871 wrecked on a rock, 4 miles off Cape Bridgewater, Victoria

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MT KEMBLA COAL & OIL Company Loosely owned by Ebenezer Vickery including here vessels registered solely in his name only

ALDINGA 1860-96	HAVILAH 1853-1900	FIVE ISLANDS 1909-54	LLEWELLYN 1875-82	DUKE OF EDINBURGH 1867-80+

ALDINGA (128038p) image courtesy of State Library Queensland HAVILAH (108456) seen here on the left, moored to the Auckland, fully dockside image courtesy State Library Queensland FIVE ISLANDS image (P12937) courtesy Wollongong City Library

ALDINGA 423 gross tons, 291 net. Iron steamship 2 funnels rigged as a 3 masted barque and built 1860 by Scott of Greenoch for McMeckan, Blackwood & Co in partnership with S White of Aldinga, Adelaide and J Darwent also of Adelaide. Modified 1862 Lbd: 202'6" x 24'6" x 13'4" with tonnage increased to 446 gross. Worked the Tasman run and Otago. 1871 fully owned by McMeckan, Blackwood & Co. Altered during 1887 with with passenger accomodation removed as well as one funnel and and two masts. Sold August 1877 to Adelaide steamship Co. Laid up until 1883 then placed on collier run when purchased by E Vickery who traded as the Mount Kembla Coal Co., of Sydney. Wrecked Bellambi reef January 23rd 1896 HAVILAH 301 gross tons, 166 net. Lbd: 151' x 22' x 13'4". Iron steamship, 2 cylinder making 55 horsepower and schooner rigged of 3 masts. Built by C Mitchell & Co., Low Walker Tyne for Charles & J F Bowman of South Australia, and Hugh McMeckan - Master Mariner in partnership. Serviced the Melbourne and Adelaide in 1854 as a passenger vessel under agency of McMeckan, Blackwood & Co., Melbourne, their first managed vessel. Owners since: May 1858 Samuel White, reg., Port Adelaide. June 1861 G Fisher & Partners who traded as Launceston & Melbourne S N Co of Launceston, Tasmania. July 1866 W A Guesdon & Partners reg., Hobart. October 1867 Tasmanian Steam Navigation Co. May 1868 Mort & McArthur reg., Sydney. November 1869 ASN Co. November 1873 French owners at Noumea. July 1878 J C Lloyd reg Sydney and November 1884 Mount Kembla Coal & Oil Co. With her return to Australian registry from Noumea, she was converted into a collier by either J C Lloyd or ensuing purchaser and was converted into a hulk prior to 1900, effectively ending her status as a ship per se. Records state she was broken up in 1911. Havilah apparently means "Land of Gold" FIVE ISLANDS 956 gross tons. Lbd: 215'2" x 33'1" x 13'9". Collier built by Napier & Miller at Old Kilpatrick, Port Glasgow as the Five Islands for the Mount Kembla Coal & Oil Co Ltd, Sydney New South Wales. Well known as a 'south-coaster' out of Port Kembla, but was also the last ship of this concern when they ceased shipowning in 1927. Transferred 1927 Mount Kembla Collieries Ltd, Sydney New South Wales. Then 1927-54 Bellambi Coal Co Ltd., Sydney who renamed her Bellambi. Withdrawn from service and sold 1954 to Stride, Blackwattle Bay for demolition. Slowly stripped and bare hull scuttled outside Sydney Heads 1981 LLEWELLYN 290 gross tons, 197 net. Lbd: 151'2" x 24' x 12'. Wooden steamship, single screw as built by D Sheedy at Wooloomooloo Sydney for William Hughes, Sydney. Sold July 1875 to J S McFarlane, Sydney. Sold September 1875 to Auckland S N Co., Auckland New Zealand. At this juncture, she was fitted with passenger accomodation, 42 saloon and 35 in steerage. Re-measured she was 155 feet in length and tonnage increased to 478 gross & 358 net. Not too popular in New Zealand coastal service and sold April 1877 to J M Banks, F Bickle & J Paul, registered at Sydney. From June 1877 she 'replaced' the Kembla' on the Newcastle trade under obvious charter arrangement with the Newcastle S N Co., Sydney. Since, and under the agency of W Laidley & Co, she operated the Sydney - North Queensland routes in passenger-cargo capacity. Sold February 1881 to E Vickery where she serviced the south coast of New South Wales as a passenger carrying collier. August 1881 sold to G A Lloyd. Wrecked upon Bellambi Reef, New South Wales 23rd May 1882 DUKE OF EDINBURGH 368 gross, 244 net. Lbd: 166'3" X 25' X 10'3". Wooden auxilliary steamship originally built as a 2 masted schooner by George Dent at Jervis Bay, Sydney. First owner unknown, February 1873 acquired by E Vickery who had a 30 horsepower installed by Morts Dock & Engineering shipyard at Balmain, Sydney. From that date until mid 1874 was advertised as a passenger carrying mail steamer to Fiji. 1876 saw her on the Sydney - Townsville - Cooktown service, at times taking in other Queensland ports en route. April 1879 sold to C G Lessing, origin unknown. April 1880 sold to Dutch subjects, whereabouts unknown. Fate unknown

ALHAMBRA 1855-88 Wallsend Coal Company	SUSANNAH CUTHBERT 1864-75 New Wallsend Coal Co	HERGA 1878-1928 Coal-cliff Land & Coal Mining Co	UNDOLA Coal Cliff Collieries Ltd

ALHAMBRA (66394p) image courtesy State Library Queensland HERGA image courtesy State Library New South Wales

ALHAMBRA 642 gross tons, 373 net. Lbd: 209'3' x 27'1" x 16'3". Iron screw steamship with 3 masts, built by Samuel Bros., Millwall London, 1855 for the Peninsula & Oriental Steam Navigation Co; reg. London. December 1862 came under ownership of this concern with her tonnage increased to 766 gross and 497 net. As a passenger vessel, she ran on the Melbourne - New Zealand route, also to Adelaide, and for a while to Suva. Nipper & See acquired her in December 1882, July 1883 saw S Marsden of Sydney take ownership. April 1884 H Perdriau and later in November by A Wheeler Jnr. From about 1883 she became a collier, with her reportedly being under the auspices of the Wallsend Coal Company. She foundered seven miles east of Newcastle, after striking a derelict vessel, possibly the American J T Berry, near Port Stephens, NSW, June 30th 1888 SUSANNAH CUTHBERT 194 gross tons, 123 net. Lbd: 131'6" x 18'8" x 10'. Wooden steamship of 50 horsepower, rigged as a 3 masted schooner. Built Sydney for J Cuthbert and sold to the Clarence & New England S N Co in April 1865. As a passenger vessel holding steerage only accomodation, she was given a new deckhouse to billet first class voyagers in 1865. Her dimensions then read 194 gross and 161 net tons. Worked the Northern New South Wales river trades until sold in March 1874 to J Frazer (loosely the New Wallsend Coal Co) Sydney July 7th 1875 she was wrecked on Long Reef, near Manly Sydney HERGA 221 gross tons. Lbd:125'2" x 21' x 10'6". Built by Cunliffe and Dunlop of Port Glasgow for A. Stuart of Sydney. Sold 1886 to H. Robinson of Sydney. Coal-cliff Land and Coal Mining Co took ownership in 1890. Robert W. Miller purchased the "Herga" in early 1921 for the Newcastle to Sydney "60 milers" coal shipping trade. Broken up in Sydney in 1928 UNDOLA of the Coal Cliff Collieries Ltd. Steel screw steamer, collier, 429/135 tons. #125226. Built Paisley, Scotland, 1909; reg. Sydney, 7/1910. Lbd 135 x 27.1 x 10.7 ft. Although owned by Coal Cliff Collieries Ltd, the Undola carried coal for an organisation called "The Southern Coal Owners' Agency" for a great deal of her life. From when she entered service in February 1910 till June 1915 the ship was hired by the organisation for certain trips and payment was on the basis of the tonnage carried. From July 1915, the arrangement changed to one where the ship was chartered to the organisation for £150 per month. Disappeared after leaving Bellambi for Sydney on 20 December 1918. A floating mine from the minefield laid off Gabo Island by the German raider Wolf may have destroyed the ship. The crew of thirteen were lost. She lies only one nautical mile off the northern headland of Garie Beach, Royal National Park only 14 nautical miles from Bellambi

BELLAMBI COAL Co Ltd Sydney NSW

MARJORIE 1898-1929	BELLAMBI 1909-54	CURRAJONG 1875-1910	MALACHITE 1894-19??

CURRAJONG image courtesy of Wollongong City Library

MARJORIE 949 gross tons. Collier built 1898 at Sunderland. Owners Bellambi Coal hulked 1929 sunk by gunfire off Sydney Sept 2 1951 BELLAMBI 956 gross tons. Lbd: 215'2" x 33'1" x 13'9". Collier built by Napier & Miller at Old Kilpatrick, Port Glasgow as the Five Islands for the Mount Kembla Coal & Oil Co Ltd, Sydney New South Wales. Well known as a 'south-coaster' out of Port Kembla, but was also the last ship of this concern when they ceased shipowning in 1927. Transferred 1927 Mount Kembla Collieries Ltd, Sydney New South Wales. Then 1927-54 Bellambi Coal Co Ltd., Sydney who renamed her Bellambi. Withdrawn from service and sold 1954 to Stride, Blackwattle Bay for demolition. Slowly stripped and bare hull scuttled outside Sydney Heads 1981 CURRAJONG 603 gross tons. Lbd: 222'2" x 30'1" x 15'7". Iron twin screw steamship of 250 horsepower, schooner rigged with 3 masts as built by T Wingate & Co., Whiteinch, Glasgow. This vessel was to be named Marquis of Lorne, however prior to completion she was renamed the Victory. Purchased on the stocks by the Clarence & New England S.N. Co., Sydney and completed as the The Clarence. In 1883 Clarence & New England S.N. Co went broke and in March same year The Clarence was sold to the ASN Co and renamed Currajong. Laid up in 1887, sold to Mitchell and Woolcott-Waley in 1888 and converted to a collier. 1893 sold to the Bellambi Coal Company. Tuesday 8 March 1910 Sydney Harbour New South Wales, off Bradley's Head, she collided with the Wyreema and sank with loss of one life MALACHITE 605 tons. Built 1894. 1915 purchased by Howard Smith from the Bellambi Coal Co., Melbourne. 1928 capsized at company wharf, Sydney, refloated and sold to H. P. Stacey, Sydney

EGMONT 1864-1900 as a hulk only	....................	....................	....................

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EGMONT 401 gross tons, 309 net. Lbd: 175' x 25' x 12'2". Iron steamship of 80 horsepower, 2 masted and schooner rigged as built by Henderson, Coulborn & Co, Renfrew for the Panama, New Zealand & Australian Royal Mail Steam Packet Co., registered London. Purchased by ASN Co., December 1869 for their Australian coastal passenger services. Completed one mail run from Sydney to Noumea. 1870 saw increase in accomodation and tonnage of 570 gross. Lengthened, re-rigged as a 3 masted schooner during 1875 becoming 670 gross and 419 net tons. Lbd: 200' x 24'8" x 18'3". Engines compounded producing 100 horsepower. Sold August 1889 to Mitchell & Woolcock-Waley. Downgraded from 1890 to cargo only capacity and purchased by J Burns in November 1892 who converted her into a hulk . May 1893 purchased by Bellambi Coal Co Ltd. September 1900 acquired by D Sheehy. October the hulk was acquired by Adelaide Steamship Co and was scuttled off Western Australia coast 1910

WALLARAH COAL Co

MUNMORAH 1934-49	TUGGERAH (1) 1912-1919	TUGGERAH (11) 1921-1956	KELLOE 1866-1902

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MUNMORAH Wallarah coal co. 1934-49 Steel screw steamer, Collier, 1273 tons. Built Scotland, 1934; reg. Sydney. Length 231 ft. Ran on to Bellambi Reef, NSW, 18 May 1949. Hopes were held that she could be refloated however after a couple of days heavy seas battered her and she could not be saved; sold for salvage. TUGGERAH (1) 749/336 tons. 1912-19. Steel screw steamer, collier, Built Glasgow, Scotland, 1912 for the Wallarah Coal Company; reg. Sydney, 1912. Lbd 186.3 x 28.9 x 12.6 ft. Arrived Sydney heads 23 December 1912. Captain M’Conachie. Turned turtle and sank after shipping a heavy sea a few miles south of Port Hacking, NSW, off Marley Beach, 17 May 1919. Six crew including the captain, Chief Officer and Chief Engineer were lost; eleven survived and landed on Cronulla Beach. Wrecksite located in the early 1970s, in 165 ft off the northern headland of Wattamolla Beach. Only the stern of the wreck is visible, badly broken up but with its boiler exposed. A popular dive TUGGERAH (11) 1,051 tons. Lbd: 210'4" x 33'2" x 12'9". Steel steamship built Fullerton & Co., Paisley as the Oorama for the Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd. Sold June 1949 renamed Tuggerah by Wallarah Coal Co. Sold January 1956 to Cambray Prince S S Co Hong Kong renamed Brenda. Scrapped Hong Kong 1956 KELLOE iron hulled collier built by J. Laing in Sunderland, UK for J. Forster of London. It was launched in either April or August 1866 (the records say both). The Kelloe displaced 500 tons and was almost 50 metres long and 8 metres wide. A single screw steam ship powered by a 70hp two cylinder compound engine built by G. Clark at Sunderland, its first regular destination was Hamburg, Germany. It appears that the Kelloe was named after the small town of Kelloe, near Durham City. This is located south of Newcastle-on-Tyne. Kelloe was a coal mining town and there were eight small mines situated around the town. In the early 1870s the Kelloe was sold to J.D. Hill and in about 1876 it was sold again to J. Young, Ehlers and Co. The Kelloe remained in the UK, its home port being London. In early 1891 the Kelloe was purchased by the Wallarah Coal Co. for use in conjunction with its Australian coal mines. On 23 April 1891 the Kelloe left London under the command of Captain Hagan. It arrived in her new home port of Sydney on 9 July and started its regular run from Catherine Hill Bay on the southern outskirts of Newcastle to Sydney. It also made some journeys from the southern coalfields to Sydney and Brisbane. On 11 February 1893 the Kelloe was proceeding down Sydney Harbour when she collided with HMS Ringarooma. She suffered some damage to the bow area and the master, Captain George F. Mason was suspended for three months. The Kelloe appears to have been incident free for the next nine years. At about 10 pm on 12 May 1902, the Kelloe left the South Bulli jetty on the southern coalfields. She had a full load of coal aboard, bound for Sydney with Captain Hector Boyle as master. Just over two hours later, the wooden steamer SS Dunmore left Sydney for Shellharbour (south of Wollongong) under the command of Neils Hanson to load blue metal. The Dunmore was in its 12th year of incident free service but the early hours of 13 May 1902 would change that luck. At about 1.30 am in almost perfect conditions to the immediate north of Botany Bay, the two vessels approached each other. On the Kelloe, Captain Boyle was in his cabin changing clothes. Captain Hanson saw the Kelloe and decided that the lights showed that the two would comfortably pass each other, the Dunmore to the seaward side of the Kelloe. To make certain, the Dunmore turned slightly to port. Suddenly, the Kelloe made a turn to starboard and a collision was imminent. Captain Boyle ordered full reverse and blew his whistle. Moments later, the Dunmore rammed the Kelloe's starboard side. As soon as Captain Boyle reached the Kelloe's bridge he "realised that the steamer was doomed". The Dunmore lowered one of its boats to help the Kelloe but she was also in trouble. Captain Boyle ordered the Kelloe to be abandoned and her boat was put in the water. All 15 crew climbed aboard and were soon met by the Dunmore's boat. Within 15 minutes, the Kelloe had sunk, stern first, her engine still running (confirmed by its current damage - see later). The Kelloe's crew, taken on board the Dunmore, were not yet really saved as she herself was in a bad situation. Water was streaming in through the damaged bow, slowed a bit by a tarpaulin placed over the hole. Captain Hanson decided to take the Dunmore into Botany Bay and he beached the ship off Kurnell. The next morning, the crew of the Kelloe were taken over to the Botany Pier and caught a tram into Sydney. Temporary repairs to the Dunmore were carried out and on 16 May she returned to Sydney under her own power. However, the Dunmore was now on the road towards an accident in January 1909 when she ran down a Navy boat killing 15 Navy crew. This was the greatest maritime disaster to happen on Sydney Harbour to that time. In April 1914 the Dunmore was to again strike trouble when she collided with SS Kiama at Sydney Heads and was driven up on Lady Bay Beach where she remained for three days. In September 1915 the Dunmore ran aground at Bradleys Head and in February 1918 she collided with the tug Champion off Botany Bay. The Dunmore was surely not one of the luckiest vessels around. An inquiry found that the Second Officer of the Kelloe, George Alstrope, was at fault for not keeping a proper lookout.

WALLARAH 1914-64	BEULAH 1908-45	Himatangi / COOLEBAR 1911-49	....................

COOLEBAR image shown as the Himitangi

WALLARAH 815 gross tons. Length: 196'5" x 29'9''. Cargo ship built by Clyde Shipbuilding Co., Port Glasgow for the Wallarah Coal Co Ltd, Sydney New South Wales. Sold unknown owners and renamed Tung Hwa in 1947. Deleted from register 1964 BEULAH 932 gross tons. Lbd: 211.' x 30'5". Cargo steamship built by Clyde Shipbuilding Company Port Glasgow, Yard No 281 for the Wallarah Coal Co Ltd. Propulsion: steam, triple expansion. Launched: Monday, 31 August 1908. Sold 1935 and renamed Min Ho. Name changed in 1937 to Hsin Tse Ang Tah. Renamed by Japanese owners (war prize?) during 1942 to Shintai Maru. Bombed & sunk - 18th July 1945 by aircraft at 34.25N/130.27E (Northwest of Tsunoshima) Himatangi / COOLEBAR 479 gross tons. Lbd: 150'3" x 30' x 8'7". Built by Ardrossan Drydock & Shipbuilding Co, for North Coast S N Co. Sold to Holm & Co., Wellington New Zealand and renamed Himatangi in 1929/30. 1931 sold to Anchor Shipping & Foundry Co., Nelson New Zealand. 1936 Sold to Wallarah Colliery of Sydney after being laid up in Wellington since 1931. Sold 1936 to Cam & Sons, Sydney. 1938 sold to North Coast S N Co., Sydney and given original name again. 1939 requisitioned by the Australian Government and named HMAS COOLEBAR for 1939-45 period. Served as a minesweeper 1939 and as stores carrier 1944. 1946 of the Australian Government. Sold 1948 to Fu Chan, of Canton and renamed East River. Sank at her moorings in Newcastle harbour, 29 September 1949. She was raised in pieces and finally broken up in 1958

Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Co., Sydney

SAXONIA 1856-98	TASMANIA 1853-1904	WALLSEND 1899-1934	....................

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SAXONIA 357 gross tons, 243 net. Lbd: 162'4" x 24'3" x 13'1". Iron steamship, 30 horsepower rigged as a 3 masted schooner and built by M Samuelson & Co., Hull England. Launched as the Columbia later renamed Sirius in 1860 by the General Steam Navigation Co., of London. Built for trade between England and Holland, and running to Mauritius from 1860 on. Sent to Australia since with a view to sell her, and she was purchased by ASN Co December 1865 after she had spent much of 1864 anchored in Hobsons Bay Victoria. As a passenger ship, she lasted four years until sold November 1869 to W Summerbell, and converted into a collier. Sold again November 1896 to the Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Co., and was wrecked 17th May 1898 on Bellambi Reef, New South Wales TASMANIA 515 gross tons, 285 net. Lbd: 164'5" x 25' x 12'7". Iron steamship built by Smith & Roger, Glasgow for the Tasmanian S N Co., Hobart. Held a 2 cylinder compounded engine producing 68 horsepower. First vessel owned by this concern. Designed for the Hobart - Melbourne service as a passenger vessel. Ran her first trip from Hobart to Sydney in 1854 when the company's 'Articles of Association' were changed allowing greater scope of transit outside of Hobart. Maintained that service until 1871 when sold to W Summerbell, Sydney. Used mostly as a collier from that time, she underwent a refitting in 1880 where her accomodation was removed, her engine compounded at Mort's Dock, Sydney to produce 80 horsepower and her new dimensions read: 390 gross tons, 256 net with Lbd: 171'4" x 24'6" x 12'6". November 1896 sold to Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Co. Broken up in Sydney, register closed 1904 WALLSEND built by Murdoch & Murray Port Glasgow, Yard No 165 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Propulsion: C2cy Launched: Monday, 19/06/1899 Built: 1899 Ship Type: Cargo Steamship Tonnage: 518grt Length: 165ft Breadth: 27ft Owner History: Newcastle Wallsend Coal Co, Sydney NSW 1913 E. & O. Warburton, Sydney NSW 1920 Australian Steamships Pty (Howard Smith), Sydney Status: Scuttled - 07/02/1935 Remarks: Designed by James Pollock, London (Project No 88) in 1898 Hulked 1934, scuttled off Sydney Heads

William Summerbell, Sydney purchased 2nd hand vessels and converted same into colliers. Registered at Sydney

EAGLE c 1849-69	CITY OF HOBART 1853-77	MORPETH 1861-91	PATERSON 1854-74	LADY BOWEN 1864-94

CITY OF HOBART image courtesy State Library Tasmania

EAGLE 244 gross tons,144 net. Lbs: 150' x 18'1" x 10'4". Wooden paddle steamer built 1849 by Thomas Chowne, Pyrmont Sydney. With two side lever engines from the old paddle steamer James Watt. Of 80 horsepower. As a passenger - cargo vessel, she plied Hunter River to Moreton Bay and Sydney. Became of the ASN Co fleet with the name change of 1851. 1858 saw her altered to screw propulsion and fitted with an oscillating engine taken from the fleets wooden vessel, City of Melbourne. Her new dimensions read - 216 gross tons, 147 net. Lbd: 151' x 19'4" x 10'2". November 1866 chartered by the South Australian Government to bring back settlers from Escape Cliffs, Northern Territory after that attempted colony failed. Sold October 1869 to Edye Manning who placed her in February 1870 on a run to Noumea under contract, making her the first steamer to make that run from Sydney. Was later employed on the northern rivers of News South Wales run as well as becoming familiar on the Illawarra service. Also saw Melbourne many times on her travels. 1877 sold to W Summerbell who utilised her as a collier. 1890 register closed upon her being converted into a wharf at Sydney CITY OF HOBART 616 gross tons, 439 net. Lbd: 184'2" x 24'7" x 18'6". Iron steamship built by T Wingate & Co., Whiteinch Glasgow, 1853 for Tasmanian S N Co. Originally 3 masted barque-rigged vessel of two funnels equiped with a 2 cylinder enginer producing 100 horsepower. Ran a passenger - cargo service between Victoria and Hobart, Tasmania. Steamed to Port Curtis Queensland from Melbourne with prospectors for the gold fields. Operated a mail service between Melbourne and New Zealand during the Otago goldrushes. Re-engined at Morts Dock, Sydney during 1865 and ran Melbourne to Sydney from that year on. Sold March 1875 to W Summerbell and converted into a collier. Whilst on a voyage from Melbourne to Sydney, her screw shaft broke and water penetrated her holds; abandoned, sank, about sixty nautical miles north east of Wilsons Promontory 25th July 1877 MORPETH 527 gross tons, 360 net. Lbd: 212'9" x 25'4" x 12'8". Iron paddle steamer built by Mitchell & Co., Low Walker on Tyne for the Hunter River New S N Co. 2 funnels, 2 cylinder engine producing 185 horsepower. Designed as a passenger vessel for the Hunter River trade until sold October 1888 to W Summerbell, who was her former Captain, and converted into a collier. Sold April 1891 to G S Power. Converted into a hulk that year and her fate remains unknown PATERSON 326 gross tons, 219 net. Lbd: 155' x 20'8" x 10'2". Iron Paddle steamer of 60 horsepower, 2 decks and schooner rigged built by by Scott & Co., Greenock Glasgow for Hunter River New S N Co., Sydney. Worked the Sydney - Hunter river trades as a passenger vessel until sold in July 1871 to William Summerbell & Others. Here then she was converted into a collier. Sold November 1872 to A Kennedy who refitted her back into passenger status with tonnage increase to 410 gross and 260 net. Her Lbd became 156'8" x 23'2" x 10'7". Sold January 1874 to John Billings, registered Wellington New Zealand. July 13th 1874 wrecked at the Waitara River entrance, New Zealand LADY BOWEN 527 gross tons, 425 net. Lbd: 210'5" x 25'7" x 11'5". Iron Paddle steamer, 2 cylinder oscillating 150 horsepower. 2 masts brigantine rigged. Built by A & J Inglis Glasgow for the Queensland S N Co's Sydney - Brisbane passenger trade. Of ASN Co as at 1868. December 1875 lengthened to 228'2" x 25'7" x 11'5". Tonnage became 702 gross and 442 net. Worked many of the Company's routes including the Hunter River. December 1882 sold to the Hunter River New S N Co. Sold again in October 1888 to W Summerbell and finally owned by B Corrigan as at January 1889. October 1889, she was converted into a fully rigged 4 masted schooner and was wrecked near Cardwell Queensland on Kennedy Shoal August 19th 1894

TASMANIA 1853-1904	YARRA YARRA 1851-77	....................	....................

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TASMANIA 515 gross tons, 285 net. Lbd: 164'5" x 25' x 12'7". Iron steamship built by Smith & Roger, Glasgow for the Tasmanian S N Co., Hobart. Held a 2 cylinder compounded engine producing 68 horsepower. First vessel owned by this concern. Designed for the Hobart - Melbourne service as a passenger vessel. Ran her first trip from Hobart to Sydney in 1854 when the company's 'Articles of Association' were changed allowing greater scope of transit outside of Hobart. Maintained that service until 1871 when sold to W Summerbell, Sydney. Used mostly as a collier from that time, she underwent a refitting in 1880 where her accomodation was removed, her engine compounded at Mort's Dock, Sydney to produce 80 horsepower and her new dimensions read: 390 gross tons, 256 net with Lbd: 171'4" x 24'6" x 12'6". November 1896 sold to Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Co. Broken up in Sydney, register closed 1904 YARRA YARRA 337 tons. Lbd: 166'5" x 25' x 13'. Iron paddle steamer built by W Denny and Bros., Dumbarton,Scotland. 1862 lengthened to be 183'5" x 30' x 11'7" with tonnage as 555 gross. As a passenger - cargo vessel, was placed on the Sydney - Melbourne trade route until 1857 when moved to the Brisbane run. 1971 became familiar to the Grafton trade. Later was converted to collier capacity and sold to W Summerbell in November 1974. Lost when overwhelmed by several big seas on Oyster Bank, Newcastle, 15 July 1877. All hands, numbering eighteen, were lost. The National Shipwreck Society of N.S.W. was formed as a result of this wreck

NORTH ILLAWARRA Coal Company disposed of all three ships by 1890

WARATAH ....-1887	GOVERNOR BLACKALL 1871-1910	TIMARU 1883-1922	....................

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WARATAH Foundered June 1887 200 yards off the jetty at Hicks Point North Bulli whilst under charter by this concern. GOVERNOR BLACKALL 487 gross tons. Lbd: 194'4" x 23'8" x 15'6". Iron steamship, 2 masts schooner rigged built by Mort's Dock & Engineering Co., Balmain Sydney. Originally ordered by the Queensland Government, however contract cancelled and purchased in 1872 by ASN Co. 1887 of AUSN Co. Sold June 1888 to North Illawarra Coal Mining Co. September 1890 owned by Moore & Austin. December 1896 G Adams. December 1898 W J Featherstone. Hulked Sydney December 1910 and scuttled 16th July 1931 off Sydney Heads TIMARU 459 gross tons. Lbd: 150' x 27' x 10'6". Iron steamship of 70 horsepower, three masts as built at Sunderland, England for unknown New Zealand owners. Several owners since, again unknown March 1889 of the North Illawarra Coal Co, and disposed of in 1890. Was of the obscure concern known as Brisbane & Clarence Rivers S N Co., and sold to Patrick Steamship Co Ltd. Sold from that concern to the North Coast S N Co., Sydney during July 1922. Sold December 1922 to Adelaide interests and hulked soon after

A Sneddon, Sydney Balmain Line of Steamers

BALMAIN 1883-1904	SOUTH AUSTRALIAN 1876-1909	....................	....................

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN image courtesy of State Library Victoria

BALMAIN 604 gross tons, 377 net. Lbd: 186' x 27'1" x 10'8". Steel steamship built by Dobie & Co., Glasgow for W Howard Smith & Sons Ltd., Sydney. Held a compounded engine producing 85 horsepower, 2 single ended coal fired boilers, 90 psi as constructed by James Jack & Co., Liverpool. Designed with passenger carrying capacity, she worked the various ports frequented by this concern including Fremantle and Queensland. August 1892 sold to A Sneddon, Sydney who utilised her as a collier with passenger accomodation, servicing Sydney - Newcastle. Sneddon embraced the title 'Balmain Line of Steamers' and offered reduced fares in enticing passengers. Sold October 1904 to B Einerson & Partner, who converted her into a hulk. Sold in 1906 to Scott Fell Shipping Co., fate unknown SOUTH AUSTRALIAN 656 gross tons, 436 net. Lbd: 225' x 26'3" x 15'. Sister ship Victorian Iron steamship built by D & W Henderson & Co., Meadowside Glasgow as a passenger vessel for the Adelaide Steamship Co., Port Adelaide for their Adelaide - Melbourne passenger trade. Compounded engine producing 436 horsepower. 1878 tonnage increased to 716 gross and capable of carrying 170 passengers. She was their first regular service steamer to Sydney and became their first steamer to visit Brisbane. Sold February 1898 to A Sneddon, Sydney who converted her into a collier with limited passenger capacity. Chartered out to William Rankin of the Howard Colliery for 3 months early 1899. December 1904 sold to Mutual Shipping Co Ltd. Driven ashore and abandoned on Wallis Island (Tonga) in 1909. She was eventually salvaged and employed as a hulk at Levuka, Fiji until blown ashore and totally wrecked in 1914

Minmi Colliery Co Ltd., Owner - R Napier

BUNGAREE 1861	....................	....................	....................

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BUNGAREE 163 gross tons, 85 net. Lbd: 121'5" x 22'5" x 9'4'. Iron Paddle steamer/Steam Tug, schooner rigged built by Barclay, Curle & Co., Glasgow. Designed as a tug for the Newcastle Australia trade, with side lever paddles and 150 horsepower (grasshopper) steam engine. Possibly used as limited capacity passenger vessel early upon her arrival. Sold March 1963 to R Napier (Minmi Colliery Co Ltd ). June 1964 sold to G R Dibbs. September 1864 sold to Alex Brown and sunk one year later, 5th October 1865 in the Hunter River after a collision with the City of Newcastle. Whilst underwater, sold to the Newcastle Co-Operative Tug Co., salvaged and served until 1978 when sold to J & A Brown, Newcastle. Laid up at Hexham during the 1920's, converted into a lighter and serviced the area until sold to P Callen 1933. Demolished at Newcastle for scrap 1933-5

C M Poole	Mount Pleasant Coal & Iron Mining Co., Sydney

BALCLUTHA 1860-81	....................	PALMERSTON 1878-1929	....................

BALCLUTHA image (128529p) courtesy State Library Queensland

BALCLUTHA Originally 433 gross tons, 1868 increased to 456 gross tons, 262 net. Lbd: 202'1" x23'3" x 13'3". Iron passenger steamship built by Caird & Co., Greenock Scotland for R Little (& possible partners) as well as part owner and skipper, Captain F H Trouton in replacing the lost 'Admella'. Worked Port Adelaide to Albany on a mail contract for the South Australian Government, during a climate of 'rate-war' between the major players of the era. Lost the mail contract in 1861 and transferred to the Adelaide-Melbourne-Sydney run in direct oppostion to ASN Co., Sydney. Switched to the Sydney - Brisbane route which prompted ASN Co to purchase her outright. The Captain Trouton continued his duty and rose through ASN Company ranks eventually attaining General Manager status. Meanwhile the Balclutha served all of this concerns coastal passenger routes including travel to Noumea on behalf of the Montifiore Company from 1873. Sold June 1881 to C M Poole and was lost with a loss of 22 hands when travelling from Sydney to Melbourne, as a collier October 1881. She was last seen in the vicinity of Gabo Island, Victoria PALMERSTON 430 gross tons. Lbd: 175'3" x 25'. Cargo vessel, steamship built as the Rook by J & G Thomson Clydebank, Glasgow. Propulsion: compound direct acting inverted 20"38" stroke 28" 70hp, Engines by shipbuilder. Launched: Tuesday, 04 June 1878. Owner History: G & J Burns, Glasgow. 1880 Napier & Co., Glasgow. 1883 C Barrie, Sydney. 1884 Goverment of South Australia. 1887 J Darling Jnr., Port Adelaide. 1889 Mount Pleasant Coal & Iron Mining Co., Sydney. 1929 R J Butler, Sydney. Refitted as a trawler in 1929 and sank after collision with trawler Millimumul off Jervis Bay, New South Wales 29th May 1929

James Jones of Sydney, later Jones Bros., Coal Co Ltd

HELEN NICOLL 1882-1932	....................	....................	....................

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HELEN NICOLL 384 gross tons, 246 net. Lbd: 157' x 22' x 10'3". Iron steamship built by Gourlay Bros, Dundee for G W Nicoll, Brisbane. Worked on the North Coast of New South Wales in passenger-cargo capacity and remained on that run when sold to John See, Sydney in July 1882. Of North Coast S N Co upon formation in December 1891. August 1893 sold to Anton Schlink of Port Adelaide who placed her on the South Australian run, particularly that State's west coast ports. Extended to Esperance, Western Australia with the advent of gold discoveries and taking in Albany as another port of call. Sold 1896 to A L Harrold and sold yet again in 1897 to J Darling Jnr, who kept her on the South Australia - West Australia trade route. 1901 saw her change ownership again, this time to to James Jones of Sydney, later Jones Bros., Coal Co Ltd., seeing her as a collier only. Demolished with register closed 1932

J L (Henry) Simpson & Sons (Black Diamond Line). Adelaide Long history with coal and colliers, commencing with sail only vessels and taking on various partnerships leading up to the formation of this concern as named. Owned only 'four' steamships

KARAWEERA 1882-1902	RIDGE PARK 1878-81	BIRKSGATE 1882-1907	TENTERDEN 1883-93

KARAWEERA image courtesy State Library Victoria BIRKSGATE image (a636507r) courtesy State Library New South Wales

KARAWEERA 1,477 gross tons, 929 net. Lbd: 250' x 35'1" x 17'6". Iron steamship built by Hodgson & Soulsby, Blyth. Of compounded inverted engine = 170hp. Owned by R Harrold & partners, Port Adelaide. Designed as a coal carrier however sported 157 passenger capability. Serviced the Newcastle - South Australia run. June 1884 South Australian Coal & Co & 'partners'. From this time passengers were probably not taken. September 1886 J L (Henry) Simpson & Sons (Black Diamond Line). June 1895 A L Harrold & partners. December 1896 Adelaide Steamship Co. Broke her back when stranded on Central Island in the Fitzroy River, at Rockhampton, Queensland, 2nd July 1902. Sketch by Allen C Green RIDGE PARK 969 gross tons, 618 net. Lbd: 214' x 31' x 15'5". Iron steamship, single screw as built by S P Austin & Co, Sunderland for Sir Thomas Elder. Engine producing 99 nominal horsepower. July 1879 owned by Henry Simpson & Sons. Frequented Port Adelaide - Newcastle carry passengers outwards and on the return to Port Adelaide, sometimes taking paying fares via Sydney - Launceston on her return to Port Adelaide. SHe was predominantly a collier. Wrecked on 10th February 1881 in Beware Bay near Cape Comran, Victoria when bound for Newcastle, New South Wales. No lives lost BIRKSGATE 1,458 gross tons, 916 net. Lbd: 255' x 33' x 21'7". Iron steamship, 2 masts and schooner rigged with compounded engine of 163 horsepower. Built by D & W Henderson, Patrick, Glasgow for H Simpson & Co (Black Diamond Line) registered Port Adelaide. Designed as a passenger-collier vessel running between South Australia and Newcastle, taking in Launceston en route. June 1884 acquired by ASN Co and of AUSN Co April 1887. 1897 purportedly conveyed passengers from Port Adelaide to the New Guinea goldfields. Sold July 1904 to Y Kensuke, Tokyo and renamed Saito Maru. Went missing, failed to arrive at Moji on a voyage from Chinnampo April 1907 TENTERDEN 1,339 gross tons, 867 net. Lbd: 246'5" x 33'5" x 19'9". Iron steamship, 2 masted schooner rigged built by Campbell, McIntosh & Bowstead, Spotswood-on-Tyne for H Simpson & Co (Black Diamond Line) registered Port Adelaide. Designed as a collier vessel with limited passenger capacity working between South Australia and Newcastle, taking in Sydney and/or Launceston on the return journey. Was so popular her passenger accomodation was increased at Mort's Dockyard, Sydney during 1883. June 1884 acquired by ASN Co and of AUSN Co April 1887. Early 1890's travelled further to the Western Australia ports during the goldrush years. Was under charter to McIwraith McEacharn when she was wrecked at MacDonnell Bay, South Australia on 23rd December 1893

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