Engine Room

Conversion to diesel

As early as 1912 (the year Kanangra was launched) Sydney Ferries Ltd began investigating the possibility of installing diesel engines in its ferries. The company’s works manager, Mr Brown, visited ‘the old country’ but came back saying that the technology had not yet been sufficiently developed for the purpose.

In 1933, a 190 bhp 5 cylinder Gardner diesel engine was imported for installation in the former steam ferry Lady Chelmsford. The experiment proved a success, and the company progressively re-engined the smaller ferries in its fleet. During the 1950s many of the larger ferries were retired and scrapped. Only three of the bigger ferries were converted to diesel — the last being Kanangra in 1959.

When Kanangra returned to service on 2 December 1959, the last steamer in the fleet, Kubu, was retired after making the 4.12 pm trip from Cockatoo Island. Kubu came in, towed the Kanangra out, and Kubu’s master, Ron Wayling, transferred to the newly re-engined Kanangra. Kubu’s fires were put out and Kanangra towed Kubu back.

Soon after commencing service a fault was identified when attempting to reverse the diesel while underway. Trials revealed that the water flowing past the propellers due to forward motion caused the engine to keep turning. This was preventing the reversing gear from operating properly. The problem was overcome by fitting an air activated shaft brake operated by the engineer to lock the shaft before engaging the reversing gear. Once rotation of the engine stopped, the reversing gear was engaged and the engineer then released the shaft brake prior to starting the engine again using compressed air.

Though at the time many regretted the conversion from steam, the diesel engine reduced costs by as much as 40 per cent. As well as requiring one less crewman, the diesel machinery permitted much greater intervals between refuellings (several weeks instead of daily) and greater ease of tending while not underway.

Not everyone would have been unhappy at the change, however. One of the hazards of steam-ferry travel which frequently made the papers earlier in the century was the soot and dust which the passengers had to contend with. Deckhands hoisted from the stokehold buckets of ashes, which were then transferred to barrows. The dust and soot found its way everywhere. Many a lady’s prized outfit was to carry a memento of a ride on the steam ferries.

Things that go bump!

Since 1960, Kanangra was involved in a series of misadventures and close calls, most of these caused by the engine refusing to go astern and the boat colliding with piles, sea walls, etc.