Part of Australia's maritime history has been lost forever when the MV Baragoola, the last Sydney built Manly ferry, finally sank at her mooring at the Coal Loader Wharf, Waverton.
Sadly the ferry was only a couple of weeks short of her centenary.
She was built in Balmain and launched at Morts Dock on 14 February, 1922 for the Circular Quay to Manly service. Originally a steamer, she was converted to diesel-electric in 1961 and was retired in 1983.
For nearly 20 years she was at various moorings around Pyrmont and Blackwattle Bay.
P243A 'Baragoola and the Water Police painted from the Tablet House of the CSR' 1991 oil on canvas 75 x 100cm
Since
2003, she has been laid up at Balls Head Bay on the north side of
Sydney Harbour as attempts to restore the vessel continued.
S122 'Cape Don + Baragoola' 2019 oil on canvas 91 x 183cm
This is a large panorama I painted from the Coal Loader in 2019 showing the Cape Don in the foreground.
This is a large panorama I painted from the Coal Loader in 2019 showing the Cape Don in the foreground.
What a contrast with the wreckage I painted recently!
The artist painting the wreck of MV Baragoola
(Photo taken by Catherine Atherton)
Over the last few decades of her life, many people volunteered to attempt to save Baragoola.
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| Painting wreck of MV Baragoola from the Coal Loader 31 x 61cm |
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| Painting wreck of MV Baragoola from the Coal Loader 31 x 61cm and 45 x 92cm |
For a while restoration attempts seemed to make some headway, but a few years ago the ownership changed and the ship deteriorated noticeably.
Unfortunately it became increasingly obvious that her fate was inevitable.
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| Painting wreck of MV Baragoola from the Coal Loader 31 x 61cm |
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| Painting wreck of MV Baragoola from the Coal Loader 45 x 92cm |
