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Item
Name of Item:	Baragoola (M.V.)
Other Name/s:	Manly Ferry, "M.V. Baragoola"
Type of Item:	Movable / Collection
Group/Collection:	Transport - Water
Category:	Vessel - harbour & river
Location:	Lat:151.19175731 Long:-33.85460761
Primary Address:	Coal Loader, Waverton, NSW 2060
Local Govt. Area:	Unincorporated Waterway
Property Description: Lot/Volume Code Lot/Volume Number Section Number Plan/Folio Code Plan/Folio Number
Boundary:	Moveable item.
All Addresses
Street Address Suburb/Town LGA Parish County Type Coal Loader  Waverton  Unincorporated Waterway      Primary  Waterview Wharf  Balmain  Leichhardt      Alternate
Owner/s Organisation Name Owner Category Date Ownership Updated They Group Pty Ltd.  Private  06 Nov 09
Statement of Significance	M.V. Baragoola provides rare evidence of the large ferry system which stimulated the growth of suburban Sydney, the development of its recreational patterns and the formation of its popular urban culture. It is a surviving example of a characteristic twentieth century Manly steamer demonstrating evolution of technology for fast double-ending navigation in deep-sea conditions. The fabric demonstrates changing nature of service over period, 1922-1983. The machinery technology unique in Australia shipping industry. It is an extremely rare surviving example of ship construction by Mort's Dock & Engineering Co. Ltd. (Prescott) Date Significance Updated: 08 Sep 98 Note: There are incomplete details for a number of items listed in NSW. The Heritage Branch intends to develop or upgrade statements of significance and other information for these items as resources become available.
Description
Designer/Maker:	Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Co. Ltd./Morts Dock and Engineering Co. Ltd.
Builder/Maker:	Morts Dock and Engineering Co. Ltd.
Construction Years:	1922 - 1922
Physical Description:	Double ended steel-hulled diesel electric Manly ferry boat. The MV Baragoola is an attractive, well proportioned, double ended, two decked ferry purpose built for the Manly to Sydney run. Official Number: 150182 Tonnage: 498 gross, 339 net, 412 under deck Dimensions: Length (registered) 199.5ft/60.8m Breadth 34.Ift/10.4m Draught 12.2ft/3.71m Engines: Original propulsion Steam. Screws fore and aft, triple-expansion. Later diesel electric. Tonnage 498 gross Materials: Hull steel, superstructure wood and steel. Capacity: 1512
Physical Condition and/or Archaeological Potential:	Superstructure in good repair after early restoration works but as of 2008 is reported to be deteriorating. The hull requires slipping for inspection and assessment by a shipwreight to assertain structural integrity. External visual evidence of corrosion and deterioration above the waterline. Hull might need extensive replating and stabilisation   Date Condition Updated: 15 Oct 08
Modifications and Dates:	1931-1932: promenade deck enclosed. 1960: converted from steam to diesel electric propulsion.
Further Information:	Some reported theft of fittings such as portholes and ships' steering wheel while berthed at Waverton coal loader without sufficient security (David Ashton pers com 13 Oct 2008).
Current Use:	Under conservation
Former Use:	Ferryboat
History
Historical Notes:	The popular image of the Manly Ferry during the present century has very much evolved around the 'class' (to use a naval term loosely) of six very similar double-ended screw steamers built for the Port Jackson Co-operative Steamship Co. Ltd. and the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Co. Ltd. between 1905 and 1922. Up to the early years of this century, the Port Jackson Company operated a fleet consisting almost entirely of paddle steamers. The reason for the relatively late transition to screw propulsion lay in the necessity of using double ended ships due to the configuration of Sydney Harbour with its many coves and the difficulties of turning in the Circular Quay terminus. Smaller double ended ferries had been found to operate quite successfully with screw propulsion, but the Manly service had speed and heavy weather requirements which necessitated fine bows on the ships. A propeller at the 'forward' end of the ship tended to restrict the vessel's speed. On all the steamers up to 'South Steyne', the Port Jackson Company adopted the unsophisticated method of increasing engine size and power to gain extra speed - a technique of little concern in prosperous years but extravagant in lean years. The steamers 'Balgowlah', 'Barrenjoey' and 'Baragoola' were the last three in the class of six mentioned earlier. The class evolved form earlier vessels designed by Walter Reeks, the unorthodox Sydney naval architect. These were the 'Manly' built in 1896 and the 'Ku-Ring-Gai', built in 1901 at Morts Dock in Balmain. The class of six steamers, ('Binngarra', 'Burra Bra', 'Bellubera', 'Balgowlah', 'Barrenjoey' and 'Baragoola') the names of which began with the letter 'B' were designed by Morts Dock and Engineering, initially under the guidance of former chief draughtsman Andrew Christie, and built at the Woolwich yard - except for Baragoola which was built at Balmain. They were among the largest ships built in Australia at this time and on the admission of Mort's executives, were built by the Dock more for prestige than profit. The class was to reach its apogee in the three identical vessels 'Bellubera' (1910), 'Balgowlah' (1912) and 'Barrenjoey' (1913). The completion of 'Barrenjoey' satisfied company requirements for several years, and 'Baragoola' was not built until 1922. In 'Baragoola' the Company sought to increase seating capacity, and stipulated a greater beam. She was only 199.5 feet in length, 498 gross tons, and 1300 IHP. She reached 15 knots on trials but subsequently suffered a speed disadvantage compared to the other boats. Her passenger capacity was 1512. All of these last four boats were to be destined for modernisation and diesel electric engines, but the Company's post war economic difficulties deprived 'Balgowlah' of that opportunity. She went to the shipbreaker in 1953 and the engines acquired for her went into 'Baragoola'. 'Baragoola' was built at the Balmain yard of Mort's Dock, and was launched on 14th February 1922 by the wife of the owning company's Chairman of directors, Mr. Hunter McPherson. The cost of the new vessel was 80,000 pounds as against 32,000 pounds for 'Barrenjoey' and 29,000 pounds for 'Balgowlah', the two vessels built prior to 'Baragoola' at the Woolwich Yard in 1912. It is little wonder that the owners went to the UK for their next vessels. 'Baragoola' ran trials on 11 August and entered service on 3rd September, 1922. 'Baragoola' was slightly smaller than her near-sisters. She could be distinguished from these ships by the rounded ends of the sun deck (bridge) beyond each wheelhouse. In addition, possibly at the time of the alternation enabling her to burn oil fuel, a cowl was fitted to the funnel. Because of her extra beam, she was always considered to be a little slower than her running mates, sometimes being referred to as 'The slow boat (to China)'. Her name is said to mean 'Flood Tide' in the local Aboriginal dialect. During the 1920s 'Burra-bra', 'Bellubera', 'Balgowlah', 'Barrenjoey' and 'Baragoola' were fitted with a small cafeteria below the main deck aft. This facility was removed from all vessels during the 1930s. In August 1930 the open space on the promenade deck of 'Barrenjoey' was partly enclosed; she was the first of the four vessels built during 1910-1922 to receive this improvement. The enclosed seating therein served the business traffic, and was of benefit to the travelling public during the colder months and at night. This alteration was made to 'Baragoola' during 1931-1932. In line with regulations requiring improved crew accommodation, facilities were progressively removed from the poorly ventilated spaces below the main deck. In the 1920s all vessels were fitted with an officer's cabin behind each wheelhouse and in the 1940s additional cabins were added to the wheelhouses for the entire crews. This affected the vessels' stability and resulted in reduced passenger capacities from the 1950s. 'Baragoola' had been, during the early 1930s the subject of an experiment involving the use of pulverised coal in the boilers. In common with similar experiments involving steam locomotives, the venture did not prove to be a success and was abandoned. One consequence had been the covering of the ship with coal dust. Between 8 March and 3 August 1939 'Baragoola' was altered to an oil burner using tar under natural draught, like the three Scottish steamers. Propellers of improved design were also fitted at this time. For a period during World War II, the vessel reverted to burning coal owing to difficulties in obtaining supplies of tar. In about 1948 'Baragoola' was fitted with Brown Bros. Electro-hydraulic telemotor steering. Some incidents during the 'Baragoola's time on Sydney Harbour include the collision with the Sydney Ferry SS 'Kosciusko' on 12th December 1926. In September 1927 the 'Baragoola' ran down a lifeboat in the harbour September 1927. On 28th August 1934 the 'Baragoola' collided with (and killed) a whale in Sydney Harbour. 'Barrenjoey' was converted to a motor vessel in 1949 and subsequently renamed 'North Head'. New diesel engines were acquired for both 'North Head' and 'Balgowlah' and were of the English Electric Co. Ltd. 7SKM type. In 1951 however the company was in grave financial circumstances after the conversion of 'North Head' and it was decided that the company could not bear the cost of reconditioning the hull and fitting new engines to 'Balgowlah'. On 30 June 1953 she was sold to J. Stride of Glebe for breaking up. It was decided to fit the machinery intended for 'Balgowlah' into 'Baragoola'. 'Baragoola' ran for the last time as a steamer on 9 September 1958, and work commenced on 1 December. During the intervening period she had been held as a standby vessel. The work was carried out almost entirely at the company's Neutral Bay works. The vessel's bunker capacity is 39 tons of oil. The straight stems and open seating at the ends of the promenade deck were retained, as was the wooden seating in the smoking saloon at the forward end of the main deck. The tall funnel was replaced by a shorter and wider one which was similarly located centrally. The lighting and the general appearance of the passenger accommodation was improved. The number of crew members was reduced to seven from the eleven required for the steamer. 'Baragoola' ran trials on 12 December 1960 and was first operated in revenue service on 26 December 1960. Regular operation commenced on 9 January 1961. On 9 January 1974 it was reported that Brambles Industries Ltd., the new owners of the Port Jackson Company, intended withdrawing 'Baragoola' on 7 February and leaving the operation of the already much reduced service to 'North Head' and 'South Steyne'. This announcement and a further threat to close the conventional Manly ferry service altogether precipitated the decision of the NSW Government to arrange for the Public Transport Commission to take over the service as from 1 December 1974. As a result of this 'North Head' and 'Baragoola' were acquired by the government and continued on the Manly run until 1983. In 1983 the Eureka Education Foundation purchased the 'Baragoola' to establish a floating University. Waterview Wharf Workshops Pty. Ltd. acquired the vessel in 1986. In November 1988 Waterview Wharf Workshops dry docked the vessel in the Captain Cook Floating Dock at Garden Island Dockyard. Extensive restoration work took place on her hull (Prescott and Willson 1979).
Historic Themes
Australian Theme (abbrev) New South Wales Theme Local Theme 3. Economy - Developing local, regional and national economies Transport - Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements (none) - 4. Settlement - Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages - Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages (none) - 8. Culture - Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure - Activities associated with recreation and relaxation (none) -
Assessment of Significance
SHR Criteria a) [Historical Significance]	The MV Baragoola provides rare evidence of the large ferry system which stimulated the growth of suburban Sydney, the development of its recreational patterns and the formation of its popular urban culture. It is a surviving example of a characteristic twentieth century Manly steamer demonstrating evoluation of technology for fast double-ended navigation in deep sea conditions. It is an extremely rare surviving example of ship construction by Mort's Dock & Engineering Co. Ltd. (Prescott 1988)
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic Significance]	The MV Baragoola is an attractive, well proportioned, double ended, two decked ferry, purpose built for the Manly to Sydney run. (Ashton 1998)
SHR Criteria d) [Social Significance]	The Morts Dock & Engineering Company trained many apprentices and used tradesmen with state of the art skills for their day and was in part responsible for entrenching the early maritime heritage of the Balmain peninsula. She was by far the most popular ferry of the line in her last years and there was much public demand for her conservation when she was de-commissioned in January, 1983. The Baragoola provides rare evidence of the large ferry system which stimulated the growth of suburban Sydney, the development of its recreational patterns and the formation of its popular urban culture. (Ashton 1998) (Prescott 1988)
SHR Criteria e) [Research Potential]	The MV Baragoola was a prestigious engineering project employing the finest skills and materials in early 20th century Australian ship building. The MV Baragoola possesses sufficient engineering ingenuity to be adequately interpreted in maritime archeological terms. The Baragoola is the last surviving example of a characteristic twentieth century Manly steamer demonstrating evolution of technology for fast double ended navigation in deep sea conditions. The fabric demonstrates changing nature of service over period from 1922-1983. Machinery technology unique in Australian Shipping industry. (Ashton 1998) (Prescott 1988)
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	Baragoola is the only one of the Morts dock-constructed Manly ferries to retain much of its original appearance. It is also one of only three surviving Manly ferries of the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	Baragoola is representative of twentieth-century Manly ferries.
Integrity/Intactness:	Good.
Assessment Criteria	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.
Recommendations
Management Category Description Date Updated Recommended Management  Produce a Conservation Management Plan (CMP)
Procedures /Exemptions
Section of Act Description Title Comments Action Date 57(2)  Exemption to allow work  Heritage Act  This Order Withdrawn. See Next Entry  May 5 1989   57(2)  Exemption to allow work  Heritage Act  See File For Schedule Order Under Section 57(2) to exempt the following activities from Section 57(1): (1) The maintenance of any building or item on the site where maintenance means the continuous protective care of existing material; and (2) The minor repair of the vessel where minor repair means the repair of materials by patching, piercing-in, splicing and consolidating existing materials and including replacement of components where these have been damaged beyond reasonable repair or are missing and including exchange of identical components between parts of the vessel. The replacement should be of the same material, form and design as the original it replaces and the number of components replaced should be substantially less than the total existing.  Sep 8 1989   57(2)  Exemption to allow work  Standard Exemptions  SCHEDULE OF STANDARD EXEMPTIONS HERITAGE ACT 1977 Notice of Order Under Section 57 (2) of the Heritage Act 1977 I, the Minister for Planning, pursuant to subsection 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales, do by this Order: 1. revoke the Schedule of Exemptions to subsection 57(1) of the Heritage Act made under subsection 57(2) and published in the Government Gazette on 22 February 2008; and 2. grant standard exemptions from subsection 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977, described in the Schedule attached. FRANK SARTOR Minister for Planning Sydney, 11 July 2008 To view the schedule click on the Standard Exemptions for Works Requiring Heritage Council Approval link below.  Sep 5 2008
	Standard Exemptions for Works Requiring Heritage Council Approval
Listings
Heritage Listing Listing Title Listing Number Gazette Date Gazette Number Gazette Page Heritage Act - State Heritage Register    00670  02 Apr 99   27  1546  Heritage Act - Permanent Conservation Order - former    00670  05 May 89   055  2780  National Trust of Australia register
References, Internet links & Images
Type Author Year Title Internet Links Written  Ben Wyld  2003  Harbours old lady loses moorings and owner gets the drift. (SMH article)  Written  David Ashton  1998  NSW State Heritage inventory form
Note: Internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.
(Click on Thumbnail for Full Size Image and Image Details)
Data Source
The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage Branch
Database Number:	5045045
File Number:	S91/00417
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