Sydney Harbour Port Jackson, consisting of the waters of Sydney Harbour, Middle Harbour, North Harbour and the Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers, is the ria or natural harbour of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The harbour is an inlet of the Tasman Sea (p ...

ferry services date back to the first years of Sydney's European settlement. Slow and sporadic boats ran along the

Parramatta River The Parramatta River is an intermediate tide-dominated, drowned valley estuary located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. With an average depth of , the Parramatta River is the main tributary of Sydney Harbour, a branch of Port Jackson. Seco ...

from Sydney to

Parramatta Parramatta () is a suburb and major Central business district, commercial centre in Greater Western Sydney, located in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located approximately west of the Sydney central business district on the ban ...

and served the agricultural settlements in between. By the mid-1830s, speculative ventures established regular services. From the late-nineteenth century the North Shore developed rapidly. A rail connection to

Milsons Point Milsons Point is a suburb on the lower North Shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The suburb is located 3 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of North Sydney Council. Mil ...

took alighting ferry passengers up the North Shore line to

Hornsby, New South Wales Hornsby is a suburb in the Northern Sydney region, or Upper North Shore of Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia, approximately north-west of the Sydney central business district. It is the administrative centre of the local ...

via North Sydney. Without a bridge connection, increasingly large fleets of steamers serviced the cross harbour routes and in the early twentieth century,

Sydney Ferries Limited Sydney Ferries Limited operated ferry services on Sydney Harbour from 1900 until June 1951. The company grew out of the North Shore Steam Ferry Company and took over smaller ferry operators to become the largest ferry operator in Sydney's his ...

was the largest ferry operator in the world. However, arguably the most well-known is the

Manly ferry Manly ferry services (numbered F1) operate on Sydney Harbour connecting the Sydney suburb of Manly with Circular Quay in the CBD a journey of seven nautical miles. History In 1853, Henry Gilbert Smith chartered the wooden paddle wheeler ' ...

service, and its large ship-like ferries that negotiate the beam swells of the

Sydney Heads Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountains ...

. From the mid-nineteenth century, the

Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company The Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company (PJ&MSC) was a publicly listed company that operated the Manly ferries in Sydney, Australia. After being taken over by Brambles Industries, the ferry service was eventually taken over by the State ...

and its forerunners ran commuter and weekend excursion services to the beach-side suburb. The 1932 opening of the

Sydney Harbour Bridge The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge in Sydney, spanning Port Jackson, Sydney Harbour from the Sydney central business district, central business district (CBD) to the North Shore (Sydney), North Shore. The view of the bridg ...

dramatically and permanently changed Sydney Harbour. Sydney Ferries Limited annual patronage fell from 40 million to 15 million almost immediately. The hardships of the

Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...

and

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

slowed the ferries' decline, but by 1951 the NSW State Government was forced to take over the ailing Sydney Ferries Limited. The Manly service fared better, and the Port Jackson company's peak year was 1946, after which a slow decline saw it too taken over by the NSW State Government in the 1970s. Ferry operations were privatised in 2015 with vessels and facilities remaining in public ownership. Sydney's first ferries were sail and/or oar powered and by the mid-19th century, paddle steamers were well established. Double-ended ferries became common as they did not require turning at terminating wharves in Sydney's busy but narrow bays, including the main hub at

Circular Quay Circular Quay is a harbour, former working port and now international passenger shipping port, public piazza and tourism precinct, heritage area, and transport node located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on the northern edge of the Syd ...

. Double-ender ferries, however, provided technological challenges for screw (propeller) propulsion and Sydney's shift from paddle steamers to screw ferries in the closing years of the nineteenth century was relatively late. Diesel power first came to Sydney Harbour ferries mainly through the conversion of existing steam ferries to diesel in the 1930s and the 1950s, as ferry companies could generally not afford new ferries in the slow post-Bridge decades.

Hydrofoils A hydrofoil is a lifting surface, or foil, that operates in water. They are similar in appearance and purpose to aerofoils used by aeroplanes. Boats that use hydrofoil technology are also simply termed hydrofoils. As a hydrofoil craft gains sp ...

were introduced to the Manly run in the 1960s and 1970s halving travel times for those willing to pay a premium fare. Government investment in new vessels during the 1970s and 1980s saw the replacement of the surviving early twentieth century vessels. New vessels included modern Lady-class ferries, four large Manly ferries, and nine First-Fleet ferries. The most recent decades have seen the introduction of the RiverCats, JetCats, SuperCats and in 2017, the Emerald-class ferries. Apart from the four Manly "Freshwater-class" ferries, the current Sydney Ferries fleet comprises all catamarans.

Early days

*October 1789 - The ''

Rose Hill Packet ''Rose Hill Packet'', was a marine craft built in Australia to serve the second place of European settlement in Australia, Parramatta#European settlement, "Rose Hill", the furthest navigable point inland on the Parramatta River. When launched the ...

'' is launched and provides a link between

Sydney Cove Sydney Cove (Eora: ) is a bay on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour, one of several harbours in Port Jackson, on the coast of Sydney, New South Wales. Sydney Cove is a focal point for community celebrations, due to its central Sydney locatio ...

and the farming settlement of

. The

hoy Hoy ( sco, Hoy; from Norse , meaning "high island") is an island in Orkney, Scotland, measuring – the second largest in the archipelago, after Mainland. A natural causeway, ''the Ayre'', links the island to the smaller South Walls; the tw ...

is crafted by convicts and is powered by sails and oars. Return trips between Sydney Cove to Parramatta could take a week to complete. *1793 - The first regular

ferry service begins. *circa 1800 - A number of small passage boats manned by a single oarsman provide services. The ''Rose Hill Packet'' is thought to have been discarded. SophiaJane

*circa 1830 - Ex-convict,

Billy Blue William Blue (c. 1767 – 7 May 1834) was an Australian convict who, after completing his sentence, became a boatman providing one of the first services to take people across Sydney Harbour. He was also made a water bailiff and watched boat t ...

, provides Sydney's first regular cross-harbour rowboat from

Dawes Point Dawes Point is a suburb of the City of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Dawes Point is located on the north-western edge of the Sydney central business district, at the southern end of Sydney Harbour Bridge, adjacent to The R ...

to Blues Point. *1830s - A sporadic ferry service is set up between

Balmoral Beach Balmoral is an urban locality in the suburb of Mosman in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is in the local government area of the Municipality of Mosman and is part of the Lower North Shore. The locality is mostly known for its beach, o ...

and

Balgowlah Balgowlah is a suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Balgowlah (or Bulgowlah) said to be an Aboriginal name for "North Harbour". The area now known as Balgowlah was known to the Aboriginals as Jilling. Balgo ...

that shortens the long bush journey between Sydney and Manly and

Northern Beaches The Northern Beaches is a region within Northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia, near the Pacific coast. This area extends south to the entrance of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), west to Middle Harbour and north to the entra ...

. It is provided by a small sailing ketch operated by Barney Kearns. From Balmoral, passengers have to travel overland to Milson's Point where they are rowed across the harbour by a waterman. The service does not last long requiring a longer and difficult overland trip. *1831 - The ocean-going steamer ''

Sophia Jane ''Sophia Jane'' was the first paddle steamer to operate in the coastal waters of New South Wales (NSW). She was launched on the Thames in 1826 and arrived in Sydney in May 1831. Construction ''Sophia Jane'' was an auxiliary steamer, like all ...

'' arrives in Sydney and used sporadically on the Parramatta River in between towing and coastal trade to

Newcastle Newcastle usually refers to: *Newcastle upon Tyne, a city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England *Newcastle-under-Lyme, a town in Staffordshire, England *Newcastle, New South Wales, a metropolitan area in Australia, named after Newcastle ...

. *1 June 1831 - The first Australian-built paddle steamer, '' Surprise'', starts regular service to Parramatta. She has limited financial success and is sold to Hobart in 1832.Gunter (1978), p. 11Prescott (1984), p 11 *5 October 1832 - ''

Experiment An experiment is a procedure carried out to support or refute a hypothesis, or determine the efficacy or likelihood of something previously untried. Experiments provide insight into Causality, cause-and-effect by demonstrating what outcome oc ...

'', a paddle-steamer powered by horses on a treadmill, makes her first run to Parramatta. She immediately lost money and was sold. *c1832 - The Bedlam Point manually operated punt (Abbotsford - Gladesville) becomes the first ferry crossing. *1833 - the Australian Conveyance Company is formed and launches a new ferry, ''Australia'' on the Parramatta service. With limited competition, the service is a success with a dividend paid in 1836 of 38 per cent. *9 April 1835 - ''Experiment'' is put back into service having been fitted with 12 hp steam engine. Under the new ownership of shipping entrepreneur, John Edye Manning, she carries passengers and cargo, as well as towing work for the next five years. ''Australia'' and ''Experiment'' thus provide the first regular ferry service in Sydney. *1837 - Following the success of ''Australia'', the Australian Conveyance Company commissions a new steamer ''Rapid'' which promised a ninety-minute trip

1840s and 1850s

*circa 1841 - A cross harbour service run by punt, ''Princess'', runs in daylight hours between Dawes and Blues Points. The service fails after fifteen months.Andrews (1982), p. 12 *1844 - The Waterman's Company introduces a service to Balmain with the paddle steamer ''Waterman'', however, her reliability is poor. *1845 - Brothers Thomas and James Gerrard, use the small steamer, ''Fairy Queen'', between Windmill Street and Blues Point, forming the first reliable cross-harbour service.Andrews (1982), p. 12 *1847 - Henry Perdriau & Partners take over the Waterman and expand the service over the next three decades. *9 October 1847 - A small timber paddle steamer, ''

Brothers A brother is a man or boy who shares one or more parents with another; a male sibling. The female counterpart is a sister. Although the term typically refers to a familial relationship, it is sometimes used endearingly to refer to non-familia ...

'', begins a run from Windmill Street in The Rocks to Blues Point. *1848 - John and Joseph Gerrard shift ''Brothers'' to a sporadic Manly service, and she becomes accepted as the first

. *1853 -

Henry Gilbert Smith Henry Gilbert Smith (1802 – 1 April 1886) was an English-born Australian businessman, banker and politician, known as the "Father of Manly". He was the founder and developer of the Sydney suburb of Manly, where he built Fairlight House fa ...

charters ''Brothers'' for the first scheduled service between Sydney and Manly as the tourist trade grows. *1854 - Paddle steamer ''Victoria'' begins excursion trips to

Watsons Bay Watsons Bay is a harbourside, eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Watsons Bay is located 11 km north-east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Woollahra. ...

. *1855 - Iron

paddle steamer A paddle steamer is a steamship or steamboat powered by a steam engine that drives paddle wheels to propel the craft through the water. In antiquity, paddle wheelers followed the development of poles, oars and sails, where the first uses wer ...

, ''

Herald A herald, or a herald of arms, is an officer of arms, ranking between pursuivant and king of arms. The title is commonly applied more broadly to all officers of arms. Heralds were originally messengers sent by monarchs or noblemen to ...

'', is imported from England in sections and assembled in Sydney for the newly formed North Shore Steam Company. She is used on a fledgling North Shore route between

and Blues Point and also as a tug to make her financially viable. *1855 - The Sydney-Parramatta railway opens, however, due to its alignment considerably south of the harbour, ferry services are still important for services along the Parramatta River. *1856 - Paddle steamer, ''Victoria'', begins daily services to Manly. Running until 1860, she is the first regular Manly ferry. *1859 - ''

Phantom Phantom may refer to: * Spirit (animating force), the vital principle or animating force within all living things ** Ghost, the soul or spirit of a dead person or animal that can appear to the living Aircraft * Boeing Phantom Ray, a stealthy un ...

'', the first large double-ended ferry on the Manly run, is put into service by a new business partnership between

and SB Skinner established to operate the ferries. File:Sydney_Ferry_EMU_(I).jpg, Paddle steamer, ''Emu'' File:Paddle_Steamer_Herald_1855_-_1884.jpg, ''

'' was used on a fledgling service to the North Shore File:Painting of Sydney paddle steamer ferry BROTHERS (1847-1890).jpg, Painting of ''

'' which provided the first scheduled Manly ferry service. File:Sydney paddle steamer Ferry PHANTOM at Manly Wharf ca 1870s.jpg,

Manly Wharf Manly Wharf is a heritage-listed passenger terminal wharf and recreational area located at West Esplanade and serving Manly, a Sydney suburb in the Northern Beaches Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. Since the 1850 ...

, 1870s, with ''

''.

1860s & 1870s

*1860s - The cross-harbour punt at Bedlam Point is joined by manually operated punts at

Gladesville Gladesville is a suburb in the Lower North Shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Gladesville is located 10 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Ryde a ...

(Five Dock Point - Huntleys Point) and

Iron Cove Iron Cove is a bay on the Parramatta River, in the inner-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is approximately due west of Sydney's central business district. It is surrounded by the suburbs of Birchgrove, Balmai ...

(Rozelle - Drummoyne). *1860 -

Mosman Mosman is a suburb on the Lower North Shore region of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Mosman is located 8 kilometres north-east of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local governm ...

landowner Richard Hayes Harnett commences excursion services to promote his land sales hiring steamers ''Black Swan'', ''Perri'', ''Brothers'' and ''Herald''. The service is abandoned due to slow sales. *1861 - City to North Shore services have grown considerably and the North Shore Ferry Company is formed. The company's first ferry is ''Kirribilli'' (I). ''Alexander'', ''Nell'', ''Galatea'' and ''Coombra'' follow. The unincorporated company is the forerunner of what will become Sydney Ferries Limited in 1900. Its backers include

James Milson James Milson (25 November 1783 – 25 October 1872) was an early settler on the North Shore of Sydney, Australia. He was born on 25 November 1783 at Grantham, Lincolnshire, England and died at the age of 88 on 25 October 1872 at Milsons Poi ...

and

Francis Lord Francis Lord (1812 – 21 December 1897), often referred to as Frank Lord, was an Australian politician. Lord was born in Sydney the second son of Mary Hyde and Simeon Lord, an ex-convict turned entrepreneur and later magistrate. He ran a ...

. *1864 - A regular ferry service is commenced to the

Neutral Bay Neutral Bay is a suburb on the Lower North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Neutral Bay is around 1.5 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of North Sydney Council. Neutral Bay takes ...

area, however, it is soon discontinued. *1865 - The Parramatta River Steam Company is formed by

Charles Edward Jeanneret Charles Edward Jeanneret (9 February 1834 – 23 August 1898) was an Australian businessman and politician. He was born in Sydney to dentist Henry Jeanneret and Harriet Merrett. As a boy he was sent to Flinders Island to learn navigation and ...

initially in partnership with Jules Joubert. It is incorporated the following year. Its first services are by ''Ysobel'' and its main vessel will be ''Adelaide'' (later renamed ''Swan''). *1867/68 - Ownership of the Manly services passes to TJ Parker and later Thomas Hesleton who expanded both passenger and cargo services acquiring the first permanent saloon steamer, ''Royal Alfred'', in 1873. *1870s - Land subdivision sees development east of

in the Neutral Bay and Mosman areas. Mosman is originally an excursion area and residential development suffers until regular ferry services began in the 1870s. *1871 - Harnett recommences ferry services to Mosman using ''Herald''. *1871 - The Joubert family commences ferry services to

Hunters Hill Hunters Hill is a suburb of the lower north shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Hunters Hill is located north-west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area ...

and a service along the

Lane Cove River The Lane Cove River, a northern tributary of the Parramatta River, is a tide-dominated, drowned valley estuary west of Sydney Harbour, located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The river is a tributary of the Parramatta River, winding throu ...

to Figtree. *1873 (circa) - Herald is working to Mosman Bay and Neutral Bay in a somewhat irregular weekday timetable. *1873 - The North Shore Ferry Company is reformed as the North Shore Steam Ferry Company *1873 - Jeanneret establishes his own ferry operation which becomes the monopoly Parramatta River services by 1875. *1875 - Ownership of the Manly service passes to JR Carey who, with other partners the following year, injects new capital into the service. *1876 - William Harmer begins a ferry service to

. *1876 - Harnett buys back the Mosman estate and he successfully subdivides the land. He commences a more successful service for the new residents using ''Golden Rose'', ''Zeus'', ''Speedwell'' and ''Matilda''. The service is taken over by Shipley, Chapman and Company in 1878 and by Charles Jeanneret in 1881. *1877 - The Port Jackson Steam Boat Company is incorporated and commences services to Manly from Circular Quay via

Woolloomooloo Woolloomooloo ( ) is a harbourside, inner-city eastern suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Woolloomooloo is 1.5 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Sydney. It is in a lo ...

. *1878 - The North Shore Steam Ferry Company becomes the limited liability North Shore Steam Ferry Company. *1878 - '' Fairlight'', the first purpose-built Manly ferry, enters service for the Port Jackson Steam Boat Company. The first of five subsequent Manly ferries built in Scotland, the paddle-steamer is rated at 950 passengers and works on the Harbour until 1914. *1879 - The North Shore Company introduces Sydney's first, and the world's second, double-ended screw ferry, ''

Wallaby A wallaby () is a small or middle-sized Macropodidae, macropod native to Australia and New Guinea, with introduced populations in New Zealand, Hawaii, the United Kingdom and other countries. They belong to the same Taxonomy (biology), taxon ...

''. This remains the basic design of all Sydney double-ended screw ferries, however, the company continues acquiring paddle steamers until 1885. Double-ended screw ferries become the norm for the fleet from 1891 with the introduction of ''Kangaroo''. File:Title- S.S. Adelaide (11987368804).jpg, The 1865 paddle-steamer ''Adelaide'' (later ''Swan''), the Parramatta River Steam Company's main ferry File:Sydney Ferry LEIPOA Perdriau's Balmain ferries ca 1890s.jpg, ''Leipoa'' (1872), wooden paddle steamer for H. Perdriau's Balmain Steam Ferry Co Ltd. File:Sydney Ferry FAIRLIGHT 1893 to 1908.jpg, '' Fairlight'' (1878-1914), built in Scotland, was the first purpose-designed Manly ferry. File:Sydney_Ferry_WALLABY_1878.jpg, ''

'', Sydney's first, and the world's second, double-ended screw ferry

1880s

*1881 - G Shipley begins services to the North Shore with ''Katie'' and ''Pacific''. *1881 - The Port Jackson Steams Boat Company is reincorporated as Port Jackson Steamship Co. Limited. New vessels are acquired. *1881 - ''Aleathea'' is introduced and is the second double-ended screw ferry and the first ferry on the harbour with electric lighting. *1881 - Sir John Robertson takes over and expands Watson Bay services. In 1887, the company is formed into a limited liability company, the Watsons Bay Steam and South Shore Steam Ferry Company. In comparison to other harbour areas, the service relies more heavily on tourist trade although there is considerable residential trade from the South Head peninsula. The service also derives much trade from the Garden Island Naval Dockyard which was a separated island until World War II. *1882 - Charles Jeanneret begins services to the North Shore. *1882 - The Perdriau family form the Balmain Steam Ferry Company Limited as a limited liability company. It faces competition from the J Watson and Partners which it buys out in 1887. The company, along with the North Shore Steam Ferry Company Limited, go on to refine the double-ended wooden ferry which will form the backbone of inner harbour ferry fleets for most of the twentieth century. *1883 - The Port Jackson Steamship Company commissions the double-ended paddle steamer, ''

Brighton Brighton () is a seaside resort and one of the two main areas of the City of Brighton and Hove in the county of East Sussex, England. It is located south of London. Archaeological evidence of settlement in the area dates back to the Bronze A ...

''. At in length, it is the largest ferry on Sydney Harbour at the time, and with a high level of appointment, it is a passenger favourite. *1883 - Charles Jeanneret provides a tramway from the second Parramatta Wharf (Redbank Wharf, near Duck River) located further downstream allowing deeper draft screw steamers to berth. *1884 - The first all-night service from Circular Quay to

Lavender Bay Lavender Bay is a harbourside suburb on the lower North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Lavender Bay is located 3 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of North Sydney Council. The s ...

via

McMahons Point McMahons Point is a harbourside suburb on the lower North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. McMahons Point is located 3 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of North Sydney Council. ...

and

begins. *1885 - The limited liability Neutral Bay Steam Ferry Company Limited is formed running services to Mosman, Cremorne, and Neutral Bay. *1886 - A cable tram service from Ridge Street in North Sydney to Milsons Point commences and the main ferry wharf is moved there and it becomes the harbour's busiest. Prior to this, most North Shore passenger traffic had been via the Lavender Bay ferry wharf. *1886 - Paddle steamer, ''

Narrabeen Narrabeen is a beachside suburb in northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Narrabeen is 23 kilometres north-east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Northern Beaches Council and is ...

'' is built by Mort's Dock & Engineering Company for the Port Jackson Steamship Company. Smaller than ''Brighton'', she is mainly used on off-peak services and she is converted to a cargo vessel in 1911 as the newer "Binngarra-class" vessels are introduced. *1887 - The North Shore Ferry Company adsorbs the Neutral Bay Steam Ferry Company. *1889 - Charles Jeanneret sells his Parramatta River ferry interests to P Walker. File:Sydney Ferry ALEATHEA on Sydney Harbour. ca 1910.jpg, River ferry ''Aleathea'' (1881) - built as Sydney's second double-ended screw ferry, and the first with electric lighting. File:Sydney Ferry BRIGHTON Circular Quay.jpg, Opulent Manly ferry

(1883-1916) was the largest paddle steamer ferry on Sydney Harbour File:Sydney Ferry WARATAH (II).jpg, Paddle steamer ''Waratah'' in

Lavender ''Lavandula'' (common name lavender) is a genus of 47 known species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is native to the Old World and is found in Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, and from Europe across to northern and easte ...

Bay circa 1886 File:Sydney Ferry VICTORIA 2.jpg, ''Victoria'' (built 1883) is typical of Sydney's double-ended inner harbour paddle steamer ferries of the late 19th century.

1890s

*1892 - The Balmain New Ferry Company Limited is set up in competition to the Balmain Steam Ferry Company. The new competition and the 1890s recession see the new company take over the old in 1900. The company delivers ''The Lady Mary'', the first of its

Walter Reeks Walter Reeks (1861-1925) was one of the earliest naval architects in Australia and is known for designing yachts, ferries and coastal ships., He was born in Christchurch, England and migrated to Australia in 1885. Reeks apprenticed with Alex ...

-designed double-ended "Lady-class" ferries. She is followed by ''The Lady Napier'' (1892), ''Lady Manning'' (1894), and ''Lady Hampden'' (1896). A further nine are built for the company between 1903 and 1914. *1893 - A limited liability company, the Parramatta River Steamers and Tramway Company Limited is formed. The company is taken over by Sydney Ferries Limited in 1901. *1893 - The Manly Co-operative Steam Ferry Company is formed in opposition to the Port Jackson Steam Boat Company. Supported by Manly Municipal Council and many residents, the new-comer pushes down fares making Manly excursions affordable to a broader class of people. *1893 - A train terminus is opened at Milsons Point connecting the

North Shore railway line The North Shore Line is a railway line serving the North Shore in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The North Shore Line extends from Sydney Central station through the western limb of the City Circle, across the Sydney Harbour Bridge an ...

from Hornsby to the harbour, and along with the 1886 tram connection, serves a large catchment of commuters from across the North Shore for ferries across the harbour. *1896 - The Port Jackson Steamship Company adsorbs struggling rival Manly Co-operative Steam Ferry Company and is reincorporated as the Port Jackson Co-operative Steamship Company. *1896 - '' Manly'' (II) starts on the Manly run. Ordered by the Manly Co-operative Steam Ferry Company and designed by renowned naval architect,

, she is the first double-ended screw ferry on the Manly run and remains one of the fastest ferries to have worked on the run. *1899 - Thomas Henley takes acquires three vessels from the struggling Balmain Steam Ferry Company and commences services to Drummoyne and Haberfield. In 1900, the Balmain Steam Ferry Company is taken over by the Balmain New Ferry Company. *14 December 1899 - the North Shore Ferry Company is incorporated as

. File:The launch of THE LADY MARY at Berry's Bay, North Sydney (8137002816).jpg, Launch of ''The Lady Mary'' at

Berrys Bay Berrys Bay is a bay located to the east of the Waverton Peninsula and the west of McMahons Point, on the north of Sydney Harbour. A number of ship building firms operate from the bay. History In 2008 the Government of New South Wales called f ...

, North Sydney, 1892, the first of a long series of "Lady-class" ferries File:Sydney Ferry BRONZEWING 2.jpg, ''Bronzewing'' the largest of Sydney's single-ended ferries, and the last traditional 'river type' boat built for the Parramatta service. File:Sydney Ferry MILLIE in Mosman Bay circa 1885 - 1895.jpg, Paddle steamer ''Millie'' at Mosman Bay File:Steamship Manly II an Early Manly Ferry.jpg, The fast '' Manly'' (II), designed by

, she is the first double-ended screw ferry on the Manly run.

1900s

Circular Quay and Sydney Ferry KOREE and BRIGHTON and LILY

*1900 - The Balmain New Ferry Company (formed 1892) takes over the Balmain Steam Ferry Company (formed 1882). The Balmain New Ferry Company, with naval architect

develops double-ended screw ferries with single screws pushing the vessel in one direction and pulling it in the other. This single "push-pull" configuration is seen in the timber "Lady-class" vessels. *1 January 1901 - The North Shore Steam Ferry Company is renamed

. It goes on to adsorb most of Sydney's ferry services, acquiring the Parramatta River Company in 1901, the New Balmain Ferry Company in 1917, and the Watsons Bay Ferry Company in 1920. Between 1900 and 1922, Sydney Ferries Limited will also acquire 25 large ferryboats, predominantly the "K-class" ferries. Such is the growth in demand for cross-harbour ferries prior to the opening of the

, Sydney Ferries Limited becomes the world's largest ferry operator by fleet size and patronage. *1901 - Sydney Ferries Limited takes over the Parramatta River service with its acquisition of the Parramatta River Steamers and Tramway Co. Ltd. *1901 - Increasing demand on the vehicular ferry service from Milsons Point to Bennelong Point sees the Blues Point to Dawes Point vehicular service re-established. *1901 - The Walter Reeks designed '' Kuring-gai'' enters service on the Manly run. A steel, double-ended screw steamer, in appearance, size and capacity she will become the archetype of the familiar Manly ferries of the twentieth century. *1903 - The City terminus for Parramatta and Lane Cove River ferries is moved from

Darling Harbour Darling Harbour is a harbour adjacent to the city centre of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia that is made up of a large recreational and pedestrian precinct that is situated on western outskirts of the Sydney central business district. Origin ...

to number 6/7 jetty at Circular Quay. Jetties 4 and 5 are rebuilt for all North Shore services. *1905 - Sydney Ferries Limited begins services to

Clifton Gardens Clifton Gardens is an urban locality in the suburb of Mosman in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Clifton Gardens is located in the local government area of the Municipality of Mosman and is part of the Lower North Shore. Clifton Gardens ...

, Balmoral, and The Spit. *early 1906 - The Balmain New Ferry Company takes over the Joubert-run Lane Cove ferries. Sydney Ferries Limited takes over the service in 1917. *1906 - ''

Binngarra ''Binngarra'' was a ferry operated by Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company on the Manly service. Launched in 1905, she was the first of six similar vessels built for the company–the ''Binngarra'' class—the success of which saw three of her ...

'', the first of six similar double-ended screw steamers, enters service for the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company. She will be followed by '' Burra Bra'' (1908), ''

Bellubera Bellubera was a ferry operated by the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company on the Manly service. Launched in 1910, she was the third of six "Binngarra-type" vessels. Upon her 1936 conversion from steam power, she became the first diesel-elect ...

'' (1910), ''

'' (1912), '' Barrenjoey'' (1913), and ''

Baragoola MV ''Baragoola'' was a ferry formerly operated by the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company and its successors on the Manly service. The sixth and final of the -type Manly ferries, the vessel entered service in 1922. Built with a triple-expa ...

'' (1922). ''Bellubera'', ''Baragoola'', and ''Barrenjoey'' (renamed ''North Head'' in 1951) will serve until 1973, 1983, and 1985 respectively. *1906 - Sydney Ferries Limited purchases the Thompson estate at

(in Mosman) including land, the three-storey hotel, wharf dancing pavilion and skating rink. The company builds a large circular swimming enclosure that holds 3,000 spectators, a boatshed and a tramway from the wharf to the hotel. The structure burns down in 1956. *1907 - The Port Jackson Co-operative Steamship Company is re-incorporated as the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company Limited. *1907 - Sydney Ferries Limited introduces the K-class ferry, ''

Kookooburra ''Kookooburra'' was a " K-class" ferry on Sydney Harbour. Commissioned in 1907, the timber-hulled steamer was built for Sydney Ferries Limited during the boom in cross-harbour ferry travel prior to the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. She ...

''. It represents the company's first attempt at a designing a Parramatta River ferry after taking over that service in 1901. The company follows up ''Kookooburra'' with a smaller but otherwise similar ferry, ''Kuranda'' (soon renamed ''

Kaludah ''Kaludah'' (launched as ''Kuranda'') was a K-class ferry on Sydney Harbour, Australia. Commissioned in 1909, the timber- hulled steamer was built for Sydney Ferries Limited during the boom in cross-harbour ferry travel prior to the 1932 openin ...

'') in 1909. In 1911, ''Kaludah'' will burn out and sink in Tarban Creek becoming possibly the shortest-lived of all Sydney Harbour ferries. *1908 - The Upper Lane Cove River Ferry Co starts services on the Upper Lane Cove River between Figtree and

Fiddens Wharf ''Fiddens Wharf'' or ''Killara Wharf'' was a former wharf on the Lane Cove River in Sydney, Australia. Named after the convict Joseph Fidden, the wharf was primarily used for the transport of timber and supplies to and from Sydney in the 19th ce ...

, West Killara. * 1909 - With increasing commuter pressure on the Milsons Point terminus, a supplementary tram line is built to McMahons Point from which ferry services to the City also operate. File:Sydney ferry KURING-GAI at Circular Quay early 20 th century.jpg, '' Kuring-gai'', the archetype for the six " Binngarra-type'' ferries. File:Binngarra Ferry.jpg, ''

'' (1906) enters service on the Manly run. She is the first of six similar Manly ferries, three of which will be ply the harbour until the 1970s and 1980s. File:Sydney ferry KUMMULLA in Mosman Bay early 20th century.jpg, " K-class", '' Kummulla'' (1903-1934), arrives in Mosman Bay File:Milsons_point_station1.JPG, The original

station and ferry terminus at the site of current

North Sydney Olympic Pool The North Sydney Olympic Pool is a swimming and exercise complex located adjacent to Sydney Harbour at Milsons Point between the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Luna Park. Designed by architects Rudder & Grout in the Inter-War Free Classical style wi ...

1910s

Circular Quay and Sydney Harbour Ferries

*1910 - Sydney Ferries Limited introduces '' Kirrule'', one of the largest of their K-class ferries. She is followed by the near identical ''

Kiandra Kiandra is an abandoned gold mining town and the birthplace of Australian skiing. The town is situated in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, in the Snowy Monaro Regional Council inside the Kosciuszko National Park. Its name ...

'' in 1911 and '' Kubu'' in 1912 forming a sub-class known as the '' "Kirrule-type" ferry''. Built for the busy Mosman run, they can carry 1,000 passengers each. The three survive the 1932 opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and are decommissioned in the 1950s. *1910 - The Balmain New Ferry Company introduces ''Lady Chelmsford'', which is the first of new series of "Lady-class" double-ended screw ferries. She is followed by the similar '' Lady Denman'' (1912), ''

Lady Edeline ''Lady Edeline'' was a Sydney Harbour ferry built in 1913 for the Balmain New Ferry Company. She and four similar ferries, ''Lady Chelmsford'' (1910), '' Lady Denman'' (1912), ''Lady Ferguson'' (1914), ''Lady Scott'' (1914) were a new series of "L ...

'' (1913), '' Lady Scott'' (1914), and '' Lady Ferguson'' (1914). The five serve in various ferry routes until the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. *December 1911 - Sydney Ferries Limited adds a service to meet the tram at the new Cremorne Point wharf. *Summer 1912/13 - The Watsons Bay Company charters the steamer, ''JW Alexander'', to run a service between Watsons Bay and Manly. The company orders a new ferry, ''Woollahra'', which is specially designed for the service with high bulwarks and wheelhouses. However, upon her delivery in 1913, the new Watsons Bay to Manly service has proved unprofitable and is discontinued. ''Woollahra'' is instead used on the existing Circular Quay to Watsons Bay run. *24 September 1916 - Sydney Ferries Limited vehicular ferry, ''Kedumba'', transports the elephant 'Jessi' across the harbour from the old Moore Park Zoo to the newly opened

Taronga Zoo Taronga Zoo is a zoo located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, in the suburb of Mosman, on the shores of Sydney Harbour. The opening hours are between 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Taronga is an Aboriginal word meaning 'beautiful water view'. It ...

. Sydney Ferries Limited commences regular services to the Zoo thereafter. *1917 - Sydney Ferries Limited takes over the Balmain New Ferry Company and most of its fleet including the "Lady-class" ferries. *1918 - Sydney Ferries forms two subsidiaries to manage its cargo, lighterage and property businesses, which later merge to form Harbour Land and Transport Company Ltd. File:Sydney Ferry KIRAWA in Mosman Bay 1915.jpg, ''

Kirawa ''Kirawa'' was a ferry on Sydney Harbour. She was a near identical sister vessel with '' Kanangra'' both of which were launched in 1912 during the early-twentieth pre-Sydney Harbour Bridge boom years of Sydney Ferries Limited. They were the fi ...

'' leaving Mosman Bay wharf, 1915. Booming Mosman and neighbouring Cremorne had become one of the most fashionable Sydney suburbs, and after Manly and Milsons Point, the busiest ferry route. File:Sydney ferry KIRRULE at Circular Quay 1916 to 1930.jpg, ''Kiandra'', other K-class ferries and ''Barrenjoey'' at Circular Quay File:Sydney ferry LADY FERGUSON.jpg, The 1914-built '' Lady Ferguson'' - one of five similar ferries - on the

File:Sydney ferry WOOLLAHRA circa 1920s.jpg, ''Woollahra'' (1913), with her high bows and wheelhouses, was built for a new Manly-Vaucluse service which was cancelled before she was commissioned.

1920s

*1920s - Sydney Ferries Limited has a near a near monopoly on Sydney Harbour ferry services, except for the

Manly ferry service Manly ferry services (numbered F1) operate on Sydney Harbour connecting the Sydney suburb of Manly with Circular Quay in the CBD a journey of seven nautical miles. History In 1853, Henry Gilbert Smith chartered the wooden paddle wheeler ' ...

and several small launch services. In addition to buying out most of the other ferry operators and their assets,Sydney Ferries
Transport for NSW between 1900 and 1914 the company acquired 25 large vessels - mostly of the type known as the K-class - on its own accord. Sydney Ferries Limited becomes the world's largest ferry operator in terms of both fleet size and patronage. *1920 - Sydney Ferries Limited takes over the Watsons Bay service and its four ferries, ''King Edward'' (1905), ''

Vaucluse Vaucluse (; oc, Vauclusa, label= Provençal or ) is a department in the southeastern French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. It had a population of 561,469 as of 2019.Kuttabul'' and ''

Koompartoo ''Koompartoo'' was a 1922 Sydney Ferries Limited K-class ferry later converted to a Royal Australian Navy boom defence vessel. ''Koompartoo'', described in the press as a "Dreadnought for the Milsons Point run" and "a titan amongst ferries", ...

'' the largest capacity ferries ever on Sydney Harbour. For the rest of the 1920s, Sydney Ferries serves an historic peak in demand for cross-harbour services. *3 September 1922 - ''

'', the last of six "Binngarra"-class ferries enters service. Being six metres shorter than her sisters and with a greater beam, she is slower than the previous five boats. She is converted from steam to diesel power in 1961 and is retired from ferry service in 1983. *1923 - Work commences on a bridge between

and

. The Milsons Point ferry/train/tram terminus is relocated. *1927 - The Watsons Bay ferry, ''Greycliffe'', is struck and sunk by the liner '' SS Tahiti''. 40 ferry passengers are killed in the disaster. *1928 - Sydney Ferries Limited ceases Parramatta River services beyond

due to train and road competition. A Sydney Ferries Limited subsidiary maintains a cargo service to Parramatta until 1941. *1928 - Two new steamers, '' ''Dee Why'' and ''Curl Curl'''', are built in Scotland for the Manly run. Travelling to Sydney under their own steam, they are the largest ferries on Sydney Harbour until the 1938 introduction of the ''

South Steyne The SS ''South Steyne'' is a former Manly ferry on Sydney Harbour. She was the world's largest steam-powered passenger ferry and operated on the service from 1938 to 1974. Restored in the 1980s, she served as a restaurant ship in Newcastle i ...

''. Reaching 17.6 knots on her trials, ''Curl Curl'' is considered to have been the fastest mono-hull ferry on the harbour. File:Sydney vehicular ferry KOONDOOLOO at Jeffrey Street Wharf Kirribilli circa 1925.jpg, Vehicular ferry, ''Koondooloo'', at Jeffrey Street Wharf,

Kirribilli Kirribilli is a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. One of the city's most established and affluent neighbourhoods, it is located three kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area administere ...

circa 1925. All vehicular ferries ceased service with weeks of the 1932 Sydney Harbour Bridge opening. File:Sydney ferries including left to right KARINGAL BRONZEWING WOOLLAHRA KOREE KARAGA at Milson's Pt. ca. 1930.jpg, Sydney Ferries Limited base at Milsons Point with early Sydney Harbour Bridge construction underway at opposite

File:Sydney_ferry_KUTTABUL_as_built_1922.jpg, Built to meet the pre-

demand across the harbour, '' Kuttabul'' and her sister ''

'' could carry over 2,000 passengers, more than any Sydney ferry before or since. File:Sydney ferry CURL CURL on her first official trip from Circular Quay to Manly 30 November 1930.jpg, ''

Curl Curl Curl Curl is a suburb of northern Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia, north-east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Northern Beaches Council. It is part of the Northern Beaches region. Loca ...

'' leaves Circular Quay on her first official trip to Manly, 1928

1930s

Sydney Harbour Bridge under construction

*19 March 1932 - The

opens. Annual passenger numbers decrease from 40 million to fourteen million. Sydney Ferries Limited services to Milsons Point and vehicular services cease. Over the next two years, Sydney Ferries pulls 18, mostly older, ferries from service. Those retired include all vehicular ferries, the older first class of "Lady-class" ferries acquired from the Balmain Company, and a number of the older K-class ferries. Also withdrawn are the large and relatively new ''Koompartoo'' and ''Kuttabul'' from the redundant Milsons Point route. They are used mainly for concert and showboat work until the outbreak of World War II. *late March and early April 1932 - Vehicular ferry services between

and Blues Point, and between

Bennelong Point Bennelong Point, a former island in Sydney Harbour, is a headland that, since the 1970s is the location of the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. History Bennelong Point is known to the local Gadigal people of the Eora ...

cease less than two weeks after the bridge's opening. The 350-ton vehicular ferries, ''Koondooloo'' (1924), ''Kalang'' (1926) and ''Kara Kara'' (1926) are laid up. Other vehicular ferries are scrapped, however, ''Kooroongaba'' went to work crossing the

Hunter River Hunter River may refer to: *Hunter River (New South Wales), Australia *Hunter River (Western Australia) *Hunter River, New Zealand *Hunter River (Prince Edward Island), Canada **Hunter River, Prince Edward Island, community on Hunter River, Canada ...

between Stockton and

. In the mid-1930s, demand for harbour cruises increases and the company fits out ''Koondooloo'' as a two-deck showboat. Such is her success, that ''Kalang'' is similarly fitted out as a three-deck showboat, and a third deck is later added to ''Koondooloo''. *1932/33 - The Port Jackson Company builds a large harbour pool and pavilion at Manly Cove. The pool structure is destroyed in a 1974 storm and is not rebuilt. *1933 - Watsons Bay services cease with those ferries being disposed of or placed on other runs. *1933 - In attempt to modernise the fleet, ''Lady Chelmsford'' is converted from steam to diesel propulsion. A Gardner diesel, two strike five-cylinder provides 190 hp (141 kW) and 10.3 knots. Conversion of the remaining four "Lady-class" ferries and ''

Karingal Karingal is a local area within the suburb of Frankston located in Melbourne, Victoria in Australia. It is in the local government area of the City of Frankston (app. 45 km South East from the Melbourne CBD) History European settleme ...

'' and '' Karrabee'' takes place over the 1930s. In line with the modernisation drive, the varnished timber finishes of the Sydney Ferries Limited fleets are painted over in a green and gold scheme. *16 November 1936 - a fire destroys ''Bellubera's'' timber superstructure while she is moored at the

Kurraba Point Kurraba Point is a harbourside suburb on the lower North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Kurraba Point is located 4 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of North Sydney Council. ...

depot. Two crew members die. She is rebuilt at the

Cockatoo Island Dockyard The Cockatoo Island Dockyard was a major dockyard in Sydney, Australia, based on Cockatoo Island. The dockyard was established in 1857 to maintain Royal Navy warships. It later built and repaired military and battle ships, and played a key role ...

and re-enters service in October 1937. *12 February 1938 - ''Rodney'' capsizes and sinks with the loss of nineteen lives. The ferry is top-heavy carrying well-wishers on its rooftop deck fare-welling the heavy cruiser USS Louisville from the Harbour. *1938 - Scottish-built ''

'' enters service on the Manly run. She is the largest steam ferry to have worked on Sydney Harbour and will become arguably the most famous of all Sydney Harbour ferries. Only the current "

Freshwater-class ferries The ''Freshwater'' class is a class of ferry operating the Manly ferry service between Circular Quay and Manly on Sydney Harbour. The ferries are owned by the Government of New South Wales and operated by Transdev Sydney Ferries under the gov ...

" are larger although their passenger capacities are significantly less. *1939 - Nicholson Brothers Harbour Transport Pty Ltd takes over the Balmain services operating out of Erskine Street Wharf until 1964 when services are moved to Circular Quay. File:Sydney_Ferry_BARRENJOEY_crossing_the_Sydney_Heads_1930_or_early_1940s.jpg, Manly steamer '' Barrenjoey'' (later converted to diesel and renamed ''North Head'') crosses the

after her 1930s enclosing of her upper deck and wheelhouse extensions. File:Sydney ferry SOUTH STEYNE arriving in Sydney Harbour from Scotland 9 September 1938.jpg,

arriving in Sydney from Scotland, 9 September 1938, arguably Sydney's most famous ferry. File:Sydney ferry RODNEY capsized and about to sink 12 February 1938.jpg, The top-heavily loaded ''Rodney'' capsizes and sinks in 1938 with the loss of nineteen lives. File:Sydney Ferry KUBU at Circular Quay photo by Max Dupain 1938.jpg,

Max Dupain Maxwell Spencer Dupain AC OBE (22 April 191127 July 1992) was an Australian modernist photographer. Early life Dupain received his first camera as a gift in 1924, spurring his interest in photography. He later joined the Photographic Society ...

photo of passengers alighting from '' Kubu'' at Circular Quay, 1938

1940s

*1940s - The post-Bridge fleet rationalisation of the previous decade continues with about a dozen ferries retired. A number are requisitioned by the armed forces and converted for wartime service, including '' Kuttabul'', ''

'', ''

Burra-Bra ''Burra Bra'' was a Manly ferry on Sydney Harbour that operated by the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company from 1908 until 1940, before being requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy for use as an anti-submarine training vessel and targe ...

'', ''Kalang'', ''Koondooloo'', '' Kuramia'', and '' Kara Kara''. *1940s - Manly ferries are painted dark war time colours. *31 May/1 June 1942 - During the midget submarine attack in Sydney Harbour, a Japanese torpedo detonates under former ferry, '' Kuttabul''. Requisition by the

RAN Ran, RaN and ran may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Ran'' (film), a 1985 film directed by Akira Kurosawa * "Ran" (song), a 2013 Japanese song by Luna Sea * '' Ran Online'', a 2004 MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game) * ...

in 1940, she is in use as an accommodation vessel for Allied naval personnel at Garden Island. The torpedo breaks her in two and she sinks killing 21 sailors asleep on board.Elbourne, ''Wonderful Kuttabul'' The torpedo is thought to have been intended for the . * 1945 - The difficulties of the Depression and the War effort had propped up post-Bridge demand for ferry services to an extent. However, Sydney Ferries Limited annual patronage falls from 17.2 million in 1945 to 8.9 million in 1951. *1946 - Services to Gladesville cease. *1946 - Patronage for the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company begins to decline after reaching its highest ever annual result (13.5 million passengers). Not being able to afford new vessels, the company plans the conversion of its best vessels to diesel-electric power. File:Sydney ferry KALANG as show boat circa 1940.tif, Former vehicular ferry, ''Kalang'', was converted to a showboat following the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. File:Manly_wharf_1941.jpg,

being rebuilt, 1941, with ferry ''

Dee Why Dee Why is a coastal suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia, 18 kilometres north-east of the Sydney central business district. It is the administrative centre of the local government area of Northern Be ...

berthed File:Kuttabul (AWM 042975).jpg, Former ferry, '' Kuttabul'', was sunk during the Japanese midget submarine attack in Sydney Harbour File:HMAS BURRA BRA.jpg, Manly ferry '' Burra Bra'' was requisitioned by the

Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the principal naval force of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is Chief of Navy (CN) Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AM, RAN. CN is also jointly responsible to the Minister of ...

in 1942 and converted to an anti-submarine training ship.

1950s

KIRRULE and other ferries laid up at McMahons Pt

*1951 - The New South Wales state government buys the ailing Sydney Ferries Limited for £25,000. Fifteen ferries and the Balmain works are sold to the government with assets taken over by the Sydney Harbour Transport Board. Operations and maintenance contracted to the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company. A fleet rationalisation over the next two years sees the large timber K-class ferries '' Kirrule'', ''

'' and ''

'' are laid up. Sydney Ferries Limited is merged with its lighterage subsidiary becoming Harbour Lighterage and Showboat Limited, with the ''Kalang'' showboat being its only remaining passenger operation. *7 May 1951 - SS ''Barrenjoey'' (built 1913), is recommissioned as ''

MV North Head The MV ''North Head'' (formerly SS ''Barrenjoey'') was a ferry operated by the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company and its successors on the Manly service from 1913 until 1985. The vessel was launched as ''Barrenjoey'', a steamer and one of ...

'' having been rebuilt and converted to diesel-electric propulsion. In the leaner demand of the post-War years, purchase of new Manly vessels is determined to be prohibitively expensive for the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company, so it is planned to update ''Barrenjoey'' and ''Balgowlah''. However, ''Barrenjoey's'' conversion takes 3 years and costing £261,772, which nearly bankrupts the company. ''Balgowlah'' is instead scrapped in 1953 and the engines intended for her are put into ''Baragoola'' which receives a far more modest upgrade. *1954 - The 1913-built ''

Kameruka ''Kameruka'' and ''Kamiri'' were near identical ferries that served on Sydney Harbour. ''Kamiri'' was built in 1912 and ''Kameruka'' was launched on 8 February 1913. They were double-ended " K-class" steam ferries, a type that was prolific on Sydn ...

'' returns to service following her conversion from steam to diesel power and a rebuild that gives her a more modern appearance. *1956 - The '' Kooleen'', a new style of fully enclosed ferry is introduced. Intended to be the first of a series, she is immediately unpopular with passengers (but popular with masters) and no more are built. *1958 - Harbour Lighterage and Showboat Limited sells showboat ''Kalang''. *1959 - '' Kanangra'' returns to service after being converted to diesel, and '' Kubu'', the harbour's last coal-fired steamer is retired. File:Sydney ferry KOOLEEN in Sydney Cove 1956.jpg, A brand new '' Kooleen'', 1956 File:Sydney Ferry NORTH HEAD leaving Manly Wharf 1954.jpg, The former steam ferry ''Barrenjoey'' (built 1913), leaves Manly Wharf in 1954 following her re-build and 1951 re-commissioning as the diesel-electric ''

''. File:Sydney Ferries KOSCIUSKO and KUBU at Circular Quay 1956.tif, '' Kosciusko'' and '' Kubu'', the last coal-fired steamer in Sydney, at

, 1956 File:Sydney_Ferry_KUBU_on_her_last_day_of_service_1959.jpg, ''Kubu'', the last coal-fired steamer on the harbour, reportedly on her last day of service, 1959

1960s

*1960s - With significant harbourside home unit development, the Neutral Bay, Cremorne and Mosman services experience a jump in ferry patronage, the first significant rise in passenger numbers since the 1932 opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. *1961 - Manly steamer, ''

'', is retired after the older ''

'' (1922) returns to service after conversion to diesel power. ''Curl Curl'' is scuttled at sea in 1969. *1964 - New directorship at the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company sees the company investing in offshore oil-rig supply service, the profits of which will be used to invest in a Manly hydrofoil service. *7 January 1965 - '' Manly III'', a Japanese-built 75-seat PT20

hydrofoil A hydrofoil is a lifting surface, or foil, that operates in water. They are similar in appearance and purpose to aerofoils used by aeroplanes. Boats that use hydrofoil technology are also simply termed hydrofoils. As a hydrofoil craft gains sp ...

, enters service for the

Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company The Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company (PJ&MSC) was a publicly listed company that operated the Manly ferries in Sydney, Australia. After being taken over by Brambles Industries, the ferry service was eventually taken over by the State ...

. It takes 15 minutes to cover the journey from

to Manly compared to 35 minutes for conventional ferries.Down Under Foils
''Classic Fast Ferries'' June 2002
''Afloat Magazine'' June 2007 Five more hydrofoils will be purchased in the 1960s and 1970s. While they can charge a premium fare for the fast trip, they fail to increase overall patronage, and they take passengers from the older ferries. *1966 - The Sydney Harbour Transport Board takes over the remaining Balmain East ferry service from the Nicholson Company and "Lady-class" ferries return to the Balmain service on their way to Hunters Hill. *1966 - ''

'' and '' Karrabee'' are used on a short-lived attempt to run a recreational weekend service to

Nielsen Park Nielsen may refer to: Business * Nielsen Gallery, an American commercial art gallery * Nielsen Holdings, global information, data, and measurement company ** Nielsen Corporation, a marketing research firm ** Nielsen Audio, formerly Arbitron, whic ...

Vaucluse Vaucluse (; oc, Vauclusa, label= Provençal or ) is a department in the southeastern French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. It had a population of 561,469 as of 2019.Long Reef on 25 May 1976. *1968 - ''

Lady Cutler MV ''Lady Cutler'' was a Lady-class ferry on Sydney Harbour services for 22 years. Retired from Sydney ferry service in 1991, she has since been refurbished and now operates tours on Port Phillip, Melbourne. Design and construction MV ''Lady C ...

'', the first of a new series of double-ended ferries is introduced for inner harbour service. The first of the modern "Lady-class" ferries, she will be followed by the similar ''Lady McKell'' and ''Lady Woodward'' in 1970. Larger versions of the type will follow (''Lady Wakehurst'' in 1974 and ''Lady Northcott'' in 1975) and smaller versions in 1979 (''Lady Street'' and ''Lady Herron''). Apart from the unpopular ''Kooleen'', they are the first significant new ferries introduced on the harbour since the early 1920s. ''Lady Cutler'' will be decommissioned in 1992. File:Sydney hydrofoil ferry MANLY III 1960s or 1970s.tif, Sydney's first hydrofoil, the 72 seat '' Manly'' was introduced on the Manly run in 1965. Travel time to Manly is reduced from 30 minutes to 15 minutes for those willing to pay the higher fare. File:Sydney_ferry_LADY_CUTLER_27_April_1970.jpg, ''

'' (1968-1992), in her original livery. She is the first of the new "Lady-class" ferries File:Sydney ferries CURL CURL and DEE WHY laid up at Strides ship breakers 1969.jpg, ''

'' (hulked, front) and ''

'' at Strides shipbreakers, 1969. Once the largest and fastest ferries on the harbour, ''Curl Curl'' is scuttled at sea later that year, and ''Dee Why'' is scuttled in 1976 File:Sydney_Ferry_KANANGRA_in_Mosman_Bay_1966.jpg, After her 1959 conversion to diesel, the now short-funnelled '' Kanangra'' enters Mosman Bay. The Mosman, Cremorne, and Neutral Bay services experience a "mini-boom" in the 1960s due to harbourside home unit development.

1970s

Sydney ferries KAMERUKA - LADY DENMAN - KARINGAL at Circular Quay Sydney 15 Feb 1970

*1970 - ''Lady Woodward'' and ''Lady Mckell'', similar to ''Lady Cutler'', are introduced to the inner harbour service. *1971 - With

patronage at an all-time low and a profit of $112,000, Brambles Transport Industries takes over the Manly ferry and hydrofoil services after an offer of $2.1 million was accepted. Included in the take-over are the four remaining and ageing Manly ferries (''

, North Head,

'' and ''

''), and the three

hydrofoils A hydrofoil is a lifting surface, or foil, that operates in water. They are similar in appearance and purpose to aerofoils used by aeroplanes. Boats that use hydrofoil technology are also simply termed hydrofoils. As a hydrofoil craft gains sp ...

. Fare increases and service suspensions follow. *1973 - Hydrofoil services to

commence but are soon stopped. *29 November 1973 - The sixty-three year old ''

'' is withdrawn from service. She is scuttled at sea in 1980. *February 1974 - Brambles announces plans to discontinue the large Manly ferries to much public uproar. *August 1974 - ''South Steyne'' is damaged by fire and pulled out of service. *December 1974 - the New South Wales state government dissolves the Sydney Harbour Transport Board, and ferries are added to the

Public Transport Commission The Public Transport Commission (PTC) was an agency of the Government of New South Wales responsible for the provision of rail, bus and ferry services in New South Wales, Australia from October 1972 until June 1980. Upon dissolution, responsi ...

. The Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company is also taken over by the Public Transport Commission. *1974 - ''Lady Wakehurst'', a larger version of the previous "Cutler-type" ferry is introduced. The following year, an identical ferry, ''Lady Northcott'' is introduced. Originally intended for inner harbour service, they are modified and used on the Manly run to cover capacity shortages. *January 1975 - ''Lady Wakehurst'' is sent to Hobart to assist following the

Tasman Bridge disaster The Tasman Bridge disaster occurred on the evening of 5 January 1975, in Hobart, the capital city of Australia's island state of Tasmania, when the bulk carrier ''Lake Illawarra'', travelling up the Derwent River, collided with several pylon ...

. *March 1975 - '' Lady Ferguson'' and '' Kosciusko'' are sent to Hobart to assist following the Tasman Bridge disaster. On arrival, ''Lady Ferguson'' is found to be too rotten to be used, while ''Kosciusko'' serves for several years in Hobart. *1976 - Patronage on the Manly service reaches a low of five million passengers per year down from its 1945 peak of 13.5 million. It will rise to 7.7 million per year in 1982. *1979 - A smaller and final pair of "Lady class" ferries, the ''Lady Street'' and ''Lady Herron'', are introduced for inner harbour service. ''Lady Street'' is in service until 2002 and ''Lady Herron'' until 2017. File:Sydney Ferry KOSCIUSKO passing the newly opened Opera House in Sydney Cove Circular Quay 25 Oct 1973.jpg, Former steam ferry, '' Kosciusko'' (1911-1975) in 1973 as a diesel ferry. File:Sydney Ferry LADY WAKEHURST 1975.jpg, A new ''Lady Wakehurst'' (1974-1992) leaving Circular Quay. File:Sydney Ferry BARAGOOLA crossing the Sydney Heads en route to Circular Quay 13 Jan 1974.jpg, ''

'' (1922-1983) in her old colours crossing the Sydney Heads, 1974. File:Sydney_Ferry_NORTH_HEAD_passes_Dobroyd_Head_on_way_from_Manly_to_Circular_Quay_April_1980.jpg, '' North Head'' (1913-1985), formerly ''Barrenjoey'', passes

Dobroyd Head Dobroyd Head is a point or headland in the Northern Beaches local government area, in the suburb of Balgowlah Heights, New South Wales, Australia. It is part of the Sydney Harbour National Park, which contains examples of ecosystems at risk such ...

in her 1970s

colours.

1980s

*1980 - All government-run ferry operations, both Manly and inner harbour services, are brought into the newly established

Urban Transit Authority The Urban Transit Authority, a former statutory authority of the Government of New South Wales, was responsible for the operation and maintenance of buses and ferries in Sydney and Newcastle from July 1980 until January 1989. History The Urban ...

(UTA) which separates the functions of the Public Transport Commission. Buses and ferries become the responsibility of the UTA, and trains become the responsibility of the

State Rail Authority The State Rail Authority, a former statutory authority of the Government of New South Wales, operated and maintained railways in the Australian state of New South Wales from July 1980 until December 2003. History The ''Transport Authorities Ac ...

. The ferries' mid-blue and white colour scheme is replaced with a navy blue and white livery. *1980 - The inaugural Great Ferry Race is held as part of the Festival of Sydney. Entrants are ''Lady Wakehurst'', '' Kanangra'', ''

'', '' Karrabee'', ''

'' and the winner, ''Lady Woodward''. Maritime writer, Graeme Andrews, noted that the event showed Sydney "had finally rediscovered its ferries". In 1981, the race is shortened, better organised and won by ''Karrabee''. The event has been held annually ever since, now on

Australia Day Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Observed annually on 26 January, it marks the 1788 landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove and raising of the Union Flag by Arthur Phillip following days of exploration of Port Ja ...

. *December 1982 - The first of the new " Freshwater-class" Manly ferries is introduced at a cost of $8.5 million. With a displacement of 1,140 tons, they are the largest ferries to run on the harbour. The second ferry, ''Queenscliff'', is delivered in 1983, and a third of the original order, ''Narrabeen'', is introduced in 1984. A fourth of the type, ''Collaroy'', is subsequently ordered and is delivered in 1988. *8 January 1983 - Manly ferry ''

'' (built 1922) makes her final trip following the December 1982 delivery of the ''Freshwater''. *22 January 1984 - '' Karrabee'' (built 1913) sinks at Circular Quay after coming third in the Great Ferry Boat Race. All passengers and crew are evacuated moments before she sinks. It is found she has shipped large amounts of water and on-board pumps are blocked with debris left over from recent maintenance. Her sinking leads to the remaining wooden ferries ''

'', ''

'', and ''Karrabee's'' sister, ''Karingal'', being retired from service. *1984 - ''Sirius'' and ''Supply'', the first " First Fleet-class" catamarans are introduced. Seven more will follow; ''Alexander'' (1985), ''Borrowdale'' (1985), ''Charlotte'' (1985), ''Fishburn'' (1985), ''Friendship'' (1986), ''Golden Grove'' (1986) and ''Scarborough'' (1986). The nine 400-seat ferries remain the backbone of the current fleet and full upgrades to each ferry in 2020 will extend their lives for another 10 years. *1984/85 - Two 235-seat hydrofoils, ''Manly'' (IV) and ''Sydney'', enter service. *1985 - '' North Head'', the longest serving Manly ferry (built as ''Barrenjoey'' in 1913), is taken out of service. *1989 - The UTA is replaced in January by the

State Transit Authority The State Transit Authority of New South Wales, also referred to as State Transit, was an agency of the Government of New South Wales operating bus services in Sydney. Superseding the Urban Transit Authority in 1989, it was also responsible for ...

. File:Sydney Ferries in Great Ferry Boat Race 1980.tif, Ferries in the inaugural Great Ferry Boat Race, 1980 File:Sydney ferry FRESHWATER launching Newcastle 27 March 1982.jpg, ''Freshwater'' launching at Newcastle, 1982, the first of a new class of four Manly ferries. File:Sydney hydrofoil ferry SYDNEY on its way to Manly 1985 or 1986.jpg, 235-seat hydrofoil, ''Sydney'' (1985) on its way to Manly. Sydney ferry SIRIUS at Circular Quay in her original livery 1985.jpg, ''Sirius'' (1984), the first of nine " First Fleet-class" ferries in her original blue and white livery

1990s and 2000s

*1991 - The remaining hydrofoils are replaced with three JetCats that serve until their replacement with the Manly Fast Ferry in 2009. *1992 - The first of six " RiverCat"-class ferries are delivered to replace First Fleet class ferries on the

to Meadowbank service and allowing services to Parramatta wharf. *15 September 2000 - Manly ferry ''Collaroy'' carries the

Olympic torch The Olympic flame is a symbol used in the Olympic movement. It is also a symbol of continuity between ancient and modern games. Several months before the Olympic Games, the Olympic flame is lit at Olympia, Greece. This ceremony starts the Olym ...

across Sydney Harbour. *2000/01 - Four SuperCats enter service. They primarily operate on Eastern Suburbs services and are on occasion used on the Manly run. *February 2001 - ''Collaroy'' runs aground on Manly Point, putting the ferry out of service for several months and costing $2 million to repair. *2004 - Ferries are separated from the State Transit Authority into a separate agency, Sydney Ferries Corporation. *November 2007 - Bret Walker delivers his report on his government-ordered commission of inquiry into Sydney Ferries' operations. The report is critical of the Ferries management, industrial relations and government's involvement. The report's recommendations include the replacement of the entire ageing fleet and handing day-to-day operations over to a private sector operator whilst the NSW government retained the fleet and other assets, in public ownership. *10 February 2009 - Following a State Government request for commercial tenders to replace the JetCat service, Bass & Flinders Cruises, trading as Manly Fast Ferry, commences an interim Circular Quay to Manly fast ferry service. File:Sydney JetCat ferry SEA EAGLE on its way to Manly 1991.jpg,

JetCat JetCat is a young female superhero who "flies like a jet, and fights like a cat", created by Jay Stephens (of ''Tutenstein'' and ''The Secret Saturdays'' fame), who first appeared in the weekly comic strip "Oddville!" beginning in 1994. The chara ...

, ''Sea Eagle'' (1991-2008), on its way to Manly, 1991 File:Sydneyferries.JPG, Sydney Harbour ferries at Circular Quay, including Sydney JetCats,

and

First Fleet-class ferries The First Fleet class is a class of ferry operated by Transdev Sydney Ferries on Sydney Harbour. History In the early 1980s, the Urban Transit Authority ordered nine catamaran ferries from Carrington Slipways, Tomago. They were to replace the ...

, 2005 File:Parramatta Ferry - panoramio.jpg, RiverCat type ferry, ''Nicole Livingstone'', on the upper reaches of the

File:SuperCat Susie O’Neill.jpg, " SuperCats" were introduced in 2000 and 2001.

2010s and 2020s

*On 1 April 2010 -

Sydney Fast Ferries Sydney Fast Ferries operated high-speed ferry services on Port Jackson between Circular Quay and Manly from April 2010 until March 2015. History Since January 1965, the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company and its successors had operated hi ...

commences a five-year franchise to operate the former JetCat service between Circular Quay and Manly. The service only operates during peak-hour on weekdays. *July 2012 - Harbour City Ferries, becomes the contracted operator of Sydney Ferries services under contract. *1 April 2015 - The Bass & Flinders fleet commences with three existing and two leased vessels. Four new

Incat Incat Tasmania is an Australian manufacturer of high-speed craft (HSC) catamaran ferries. Its greatest success has been with large, sea going passenger and vehicle ferries, but it has also built military transports and since 2015 it has built s ...

built vessels are delivered by the end of the year, two 24 metres long and two 33 metres long. *December 2016 - Harbour City Ferries became fully owned by

Transdev Australasia Transdev Australasia is an operator of bus, ferry, light rail and rail services in Australia and New Zealand. It is a subsidiary of French-based, international Transdev. It was formed in 2013 by grouping the operations of Veolia Transport Aust ...

after Transdev bought out Broadspectrum's 50% shareholding.TRANSDEV AUSTRALASIA ACQUIRES 100% OF HARBOUR CITY FERRIES
Transdev Australasia, Published 8 December 2016, Retrieved 19 January 2018 , Harbour City Ferries employs more than 650 people and its fleet consisted of 32 vessels. *2017 - Bass & Flinders orders a third 33-metre fast ferry from Incat. * June 2017 - The first of six new catamaran ferries, the " Emerald class", are introduced. *September 2017 - Bass & Flinders is renamed Manly Fast Ferry and commences trading as

My Fast Ferry Manly Fast Ferry (trading as My Fast Ferry) is an Australian ferry operator that services the areas of Botany Bay and Port Jackson. History Since January 1965, the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company and its successors had operated high spe ...

. * October 2017 - The introduction of the Emerald class ferries allows the final two Lady class ferries, ''Lady Northcott'' and ''Lady Herron'', to be withdrawn in October 2017. *December 2017 - The Manly Fast Ferry service is purchased by the

NRMA NRMA (formerly National Roads and Motorists' Association) is an Australian organisation offering roadside assistance, advocacy for motorists and road-users, motoring advice, car servicing, International Driving Permits, travel and other servic ...

. *October 2018 - Fantasea Cruising is taken over by the NRMA with 10 ferries and 10 water taxis on Sydney Harbour and

Pittwater Pittwater is a semi-mature tide dominated drowned valley estuary, located about north of the Sydney central business district, New South Wales, Australia; being one of the bodies of water that separate greater Metropolitan Sydney from the Ce ...

. *July 2019 - Harbour City Ferries commences a new contract to operate the ferries until June 2028. To coincide with the contract, Harbour City Ferries is rebranded Transdev Sydney Ferries. *2020 - The 35-year old "First Fleet-class" catamarans undergo major upgrades to provide them with another 10 years of service. The changes to all nine ferries include upgraded engines, refurbished interiors, the provision of air conditioning and additional safety features. *October 2021 The first

River-class ferry The River Class is a ferry type operated by Transdev Sydney Ferries on Sydney Harbour. History In September 2017, Transport for NSW called for expressions of interest for four new ferries for Parramatta River ferry services. However, after the ...

enters service. *13 October 2021 - Manly ferry ''Queenscliff'' (1983) is retired from service. *31 October 2021 The first of the new generation 2 Emerald-class ferries "Fairlight" enters service on the

.Ship Technology
/ref> *November 2021 The remaining 2 new Emerald-class ferries enter service. *8 December 2021 Plans to retire Manly ferry "Narrabeen" are scrapped and an engine rebuild commences on the vessel. *18 December 2021 SuperCat "Saint Mary Mackillop" is retired from service. *2022 The River-class ferries slowly enter service as numerous problems with the vessels are solved. *1 January 2022 Old Manly ferry

sinks at its wharf at the Coal Loader in Waverton. *12 March 2022 The new Emerald-class ferries are cleared to operate in swells up to 4.5 metres after growing concern that the vessels were not able to operate in high seas. File:Manly_Fast_Ferry.jpg, A Manly fast ferry vessel arriving at Manly Wharf, 2013 File:Sydney Ferries’ Maintenance Facility.jpg, SuperCat ''Susie O'Neil'' at Sydney Ferries maintenance base, Balmain, 2013 File:Sydney Ferry Supply and Collaroy.jpg, ''Collaroy'' (1988) and ''Supply'' (1984) in their current livery File:Victor Chang, Pyrmont Bay, 2018 (02).jpg,

Emerald-class ferry The Emerald ferry class is a class of ferry operated by Sydney Ferries on Sydney Harbour. History Generation 1 (Inner Harbour) In November 2014, the Government of New South Wales announced six new ferries would be ordered for use on Sydney ...

, ''Victor Chang''

Notes

References

* * * * {{Sydneyferries Ferry transport in Sydney History of Sydney