# Bellubera

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Ferry operated by the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company

At Circular Quay, 1970, as a diesel-electric vessel, late in her career History Name Bellubera Operator Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company Port of registry Sydney Route Manly Builder Mort's Dock Launched 26 April 1910 Out of service 29 November 1973 Identification IMO number: 5040043 Fate Scuttled 1 August 1980 General characteristics Tonnage 499 tons (1936: 505 tons) Length 63 m (206 ft 8 in) Beam 9.75 m (32 ft 0 in) Decks 2

***Bellubera*** was a [ferry](/source/Ferry) operated by the [Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company](/source/Port_Jackson_%26_Manly_Steamship_Company) on the [Manly service](/source/Manly_ferry_services). Launched in 1910, she was the third of six "[*Binngarra*](/source/Binngarra)-type" vessels. Upon her 1936 conversion from steam power, she became the first diesel-electric vessel in Australia. She was decommissioned in 1973, and scuttled at sea in 1980.

Due to many misfortunes in her 63-year service life, she was nicknamed the "Hoodoo Ship". Two of her masters died at the wheel, two crew members died when she was gutted by fire in 1936, and the owner of a motor launch was killed when *Bellubera* ran it down and sank her.

The name "bellubera" is thought to be an Australian Aboriginal word meaning "pretty lady" or "beautiful woman".[1]

## Background

*Kuring-gai* (1901) was the forerunner to the "Bingarra-type" vessels including *Bellubera*. Note the wheel houses located midships compared to *Bellubera*'s at the ends of the sun deck.

The Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company's fleet transitioned comparatively late to screw propelled vessels and the fleet comprised mostly paddle steamers until the early years of the twentieth century. The difficulty of turning in the narrow bays of Sydney Harbour - particularly in the busy Circular Quay terminus in [Sydney Cove](/source/Sydney_Cove) - required the use of double-ended vessels. However, a double-ended screw configuration was particularly difficult for the fine bows that Manly ferries required for both speed and heavy seas. Further, a propeller at the leading forward end of a vessel reduced speed considerably. In the prosperous early twentieth century, this speed drawback was overcome by increasing engine size and power.

The first screw ferries on the Manly run were two innovative [Walter Reeks](/source/Walter_Reeks)–designed vessels; [SS *Manly*](/source/SS_Manly) (1896), and [SS *Kuring-gai*](/source/SS_Kuring-gai) (1901), which were to become the fore-runners of the *Binngarra*-class ferries. They both had high [forecastles](/source/Forecastle) at either to help her run through the deep-sea conditions across the [Sydney Heads](/source/Sydney_Heads). The steel-hulled *Kuring-gai* was larger and she further refined the basic design to be similar to the subsequent and larger *Binngarra*-class vessels. *Manly* and *Kuring-gai* had both, however, followed paddle steamer design with their bridges around the midships funnels. Whereas the *Binngarra*-class vessels would have their wheelhouses at either end of their promenade decks.

## Design and construction

The *Binngarra*-class" ferries, [*Binngarra*](/source/Binngarra) (1905), [*Burra-Bra*](/source/HMAS_Burra_Bra) (1908), *Bellubera* (1910), [*Balgowlah*](/source/SS_Balgowlah) (1912), *[Barrenjoey](/source/MV_North_Head)* (1913), and [*Baragoola*](/source/Baragoola) (1922), were designed by [Mort's Dock and Engineering](/source/Mort's_Dock_and_Engineering), initially under the guidance of former chief draughtsman Andrew Christie. The first five were built at Mort's [Woolwich yard](/source/Woolwich_Dock) and *Baragoola* was built at the [Balmain](/source/Balmain%2C_New_South_Wales) yard. They were among the largest ships built in Australian yards at the time and, on the admission of Mort's executives, were built by the dock more for prestige than profit. Build costs were higher in Australia than in the United Kingdom, but this was offset by the cost of sailing them out to Australia.

Launched on 6 April 1910 by Mrs J. Fyfe,[2] *Bellubera* was the third of six Binngarra-type vessels. She was a near identical sister to *Barrenjoey* (later *North Head*) and *Balgowlah* (1912), and similar to the slightly smaller *Binngarra* (1905), [*Burra Bra*](/source/HMAS_Burra_Bra) (1908) and *Baragoola* (1922). She was 499 tons and 64.0 metres (210 ft 0 in) long. As built, she was powered by [triple expansion steam engine](/source/Triple_expansion_steam_engine) providing 123 [horsepower](/source/Horsepower) (92 kW) and was able to make up to 15 [knots](/source/Knot_(unit)) (28 km/h; 17 mph).[3]

		- Launch day, 26 April 1910

		- At [Manly Wharf](/source/Manly_ferry_wharf) in as-built condition, 1910s

## Service history and configuration changes

The exorbitant cost and difficulty in replacing the large expensive steel hulled *Binngarra*-type vessels saw the *Bellubera*, along with the *Balgowlah*, *Barrenjoey*, and *Baragoola* retained and significantly modified. In the 1920s, all four had officers' cabins attached to their wheelhouses. Beginning with *Barrenjoey* in 1930, and then in 1931-32 *Balgowlah*, *Baragoola*, and *Bellubera* over 1931–32, had their open upper passenger decks enclosed.

In 1936 with her boilers nearing the end of their service life, *Bellubera*'s original [steam engines](/source/Steam_engine) were replaced by four five-cylinder [Harland & Wolff](/source/Harland_%26_Wolff) [diesel engines](/source/Diesel_engine) (1,800 bhp, 1,300 kW) which drove two [British Thompson-Houston](/source/British_Thompson-Houston) diesel engines,[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*] which could push her to 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph). Her single [funnel](/source/Funnel_(ship)) was replaced by two, the second funnel being a dummy mounted for appearance. She became the first diesel-electric powered vessel in Australia.[3] The new engines increased her service speed to 18 knots, but increased vibrations throughout the vessel making her less popular with passengers.[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*]

In 1948, *Bellubera*, along with *Balgowlah* and *Baragoola*, was fitted with the larger wheelhouse/cabin structures that they would sport until the rest of their ferry careers. In 1954, she was taken to the [State Dockyard](/source/State_Dockyard) where she was partially replated, repainted, and re-engined with three seven-cylinder British Thompson-Houston diesel engines that drove two [English Electric](/source/English_Electric) electric engines.[3]

		- With extended wheelhouses and original open upper decks, 1930s

		- Removal of boiler during conversion from steam to diesel-electric propulsion, 1935/36

		- Conversion to diesel-electric, 1936

		- Rebuild of superstructure during conversion to diesel-electric propulsion

		- Rebuild of superstructure during conversion to diesel-electric propulsion

		- Diesel generators being installed during conversion to diesel-electric, 1936

		- Post diesel-electric conversion and prior to fire, 1936

		- Rounding [Bennelong Point](/source/Bennelong_Point) and approaching [Circular Quay](/source/Circular_Quay), 1966

## Misadventures

Due to many misfortunes, she was nicknamed the "Hoodoo Ship". She collided with at least four vessels, sinking two of them, seven people died through direct association with the ferry and at least seven people fell or jumped off the ferry.[4]

On 2 April 1914, she collided with the [steam](/source/Steamboat) [tug](/source/Tugboat) [*Kate*](/source/SS_Kate) off [Dobroyd Head](/source/Dobroyd_Head), sinking *Kate* in seconds and capsizing the [lighter](/source/Lighter_(barge)) *Kate* was towing; *Bellubera* rescued *Kate*'s four-man crew.[1] In 1933, *Bellubera* collided with the smaller ferry, [*Kaikai*](/source/Kaikai_(ferry)) near Circular Quay. Slight damage was done to the sponson and bulwarks of *Kaikai* and steel *Bellubera* was slightly dented. There were no injuries.[5]

On 16 November 1936, fire broke out aboard *Bellubera* while she was moored at the [Kurraba Point](/source/Kurraba_Point%2C_New_South_Wales) depot while workmen were repairing a steel plate on the roof of the upper deck. A welder's oxy-acetylene torch set alight the leather seats in the saloon and within five minutes the entire ship was ablaze. Four men were trapped below decks, with one dying that night in hospital and a second a few days later. Another suffered leg burns and spent 21 months in hospital.[4][6][7] The superstructure was gutted and the hull significantly damaged. *Bellubera* was rebuilt at the [Cockatoo Island Dockyard](/source/Cockatoo_Island_Dockyard) and re-entered service in October 1937.[1]

In 1941, *Bellubera* collided with the 30-foot launch, *Sydbridge*, cutting the boat in half and sinking it with its owner whose body was found nine days later.[1] On 6 February 1946, her master, Captain Walter Dohrn, collapsed and died at the wheel as the vessel was making its way across [the Heads](/source/Sydney_Heads) towards Manly. On 5 September of that year, a young women fell overboard. In 1946, a passenger fell overboard and drowned, and in the same year, *Bellubera* collided with a naval launch killing the helmsman.[8] In October 1960, *Bellubera* collided with the 7,000-ton Norwegian freighter *Taurus* but received only minor damage continuing her run to Circular Quay. Her master, Captain Albert Villiers, died at the wheel in February 1961 while berthing her at the Kurraba Point depot. Five years later *Bellubera* collided with the dredge WD66.[1][8]

On 28 February 1970, en route from Manly, *Bellubera* collided with the Royal Australian Navy Ship, [HMAS *Parramatta*](/source/HMAS_Parramatta_(DE_46)) as it was backing out of the naval depot near [Chowder Bay](/source/Chowder_Bay). She inflicted a 2 m × 3 m (6 ft 7 in × 9 ft 10 in) hole in the warship, whilst only suffering minor damage herself. Navy personnel covered the *Parramatta*'s damage with a tarpaulin to hide it from press photographers, while *Bellubera* resumed her journey.[1] On 23 July 1973, heavy seas damaged doors and seats.[8]

		- Well alight, [Kurraba Point](/source/Kurraba_Point) base 1936. Two crew died.

		- After the fire. People watch from Kurraba Road above

		- At Circular Quay 1938, rebuilt after the 1936 fire

## Retirement and demise

*Bellubera* was taken out of service on 29 November 1973.[4][6] Her service life of sixty-three years was a record for a Manly ferry, that would be beaten by the *North Head*, formerly *Barrenjoey*.[9] At this time, the Manly services had been taken over by [Brambles Limited](/source/Brambles_Limited) and the service struggled and ships were in poor condition.[8] She was sold in 1975 to a company named Trouble Shooter, so certain equipment could be stripped and installed into the ex-Royal Australian Navy [Ton-class minesweeper](/source/Ton-class_minesweeper) [HMAS *Gull*](/source/HMAS_Gull). *Bellubera*'s English Electric diesels were removed and returned to the [Public Transport Commission](/source/Public_Transport_Commission) to support *Baragoola* and *North Head* in service. *Bellubera* was towed to sea by tug [*Betts Bay*](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Betts_Bay&action=edit&redlink=1) and [scuttled](/source/Scuttling) off Long Reef on 1 August 1980 and rests on her side in two pieces in 45 metres (148 ft) of water.[4][6]

		- Laid up with the larger [*South Steyne*](/source/SS_South_Steyne), [Balmain](/source/Balmain%2C_New_South_Wales) 1970s

		- Being towed out of Sydney Harbour for scuttling at sea, August 1980

## See also

- [List of Sydney Harbour ferries](/source/List_of_Sydney_Harbour_ferries)

- [Timeline of Sydney Harbour ferries](/source/Timeline_of_Sydney_Harbour_ferries)

## References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [IMO 5040043](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:IMO_5040043).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ManlyDaily_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ManlyDaily_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ManlyDaily_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ManlyDaily_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-ManlyDaily_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-ManlyDaily_1-5) Morcombe, John (26 May 2019). ["The Bellubera Had Its Fair Share of Controversies During Its Time"](https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/the-bellubera-had-its-fair-share-of-complications-and-controversies-during-its-time/news-story/84d03a0bc6503aabdcca1291fde3c017&usg=AOvVaw2iUzCjd8bdIBpiV5zZG6Dr). The Manly Daily. Retrieved 6 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Andrews, Graeme (1982). *A Pictorial History of Ferries: Sydney and Surrounding Waterways*. Sydney: AH & AW Reed Pty Ltd. p. 47. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0589503863](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0589503863).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Prescott59_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Prescott59_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Prescott59_3-2) Prescott, AM (1984). *Sydney Ferry Fleet*. Magill South Australia: Ronald H Parsons. p. 59. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0909418306](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0909418306).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FerriesofSydney_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FerriesofSydney_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FerriesofSydney_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FerriesofSydney_4-3) [Bellubera](http://www.ferriesofsydney.com/Bellubera.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160227123607/http://ferriesofsydney.com/Bellubera.html) 27 February 2016 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Ferries of Sydney

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["FERRIES COLLIDE"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article246244452). *[The Daily Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph_(Sydney))*. Vol. 3, no. 87. New South Wales, Australia. 27 May 1933. p. 7. Retrieved 13 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TMead_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TMead_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-TMead_6-2) Mead, Tom (1988). *Manly Ferries of Sydney Harbour*. Brookvale: Child & Associates. p. 164. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-86777-091-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-86777-091-0).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Manly Ferry Fire](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17301013) *[Sydney Morning Herald](/source/Sydney_Morning_Herald)* 9 December 1936

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-The_Ferries_of_Sydney_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-The_Ferries_of_Sydney_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-The_Ferries_of_Sydney_8-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-The_Ferries_of_Sydney_8-3) Andrews, Graeme (1975). *The Ferries of Sydney*. A.H. & A.W. Reed Pty Ltd. pp. 45–47. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0589071726](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0589071726).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Andrews, Graeme (1982). *A Pictorial History of Ferries: Sydney and Surrounding Waterways*. Sydney: AH & AW Reed Pty Ltd. p. 47. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0589503863](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0589503863).

v t e Ferries of Sydney Harbour Individual ferries Balgowlah Baragoola Barrenjoey Bellubera Binngarra Brightside Brighton Brothers Burra Bra Collaroy Curl Curl Dee Why Emu (II) Experiment Fairlight (1878) Freshwater Herald Kaikai Kalang Kaludah Kameruka Kamiri Kanangra Kanimbla Kara Kara Kareela Karingal Karrabee Kiandra Kirawa Kirrule Kookooburra Kooleen Koompartoo Kooroongaba Koree Kosciusko Kirribilli Kubu Kulgoa Kummulla Kuramia Kuranda Kurraba Kurrab-Ba Kuring-gai Kuttabul Lady Chelmsford Lady Cutler Lady Denman Lady Edeline Lady Ferguson Lady Scott Manly (II) Manly (III) Narrabeen (I) Narrabeen (III) North Head Phantom Queenscliff Rodney Rose Hill Packet Sophia Jane South Steyne Sydney 2000 Surprise Vaucluse Wallaby Ferry classes K class Dee Why class Hydrofoil Lady Freshwater class First Fleet JetCat RiverCat SuperCat Emerald River Parramatta River Ferry operators Kelsian Group Captain Cook Cruises Matilda Cruises Manly Fast Ferry Rosman Ferries Transdev Sydney Ferries Former ferry operators Australian National Line Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company Public Transport Commission State Transit Authority Sydney Ferries Corporation Sydney Ferries Limited Sydney Harbour Transport Board Transit Systems Urban Transit Authority Miscellaneous List of Sydney Harbour ferries Timeline of Sydney Harbour ferries Greycliffe disaster Rodney disaster

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents from January to July 1914 Shipwrecks 4 Jan: Oklahoma, Thomas Winsmore 10 Jan: HMCS Karluk (last voyage) 16 Jan: HMS A7 30 Jan: Monroe 17 Feb: W. H. Dimond 11 Mar: Wellesley 17 Mar: City of Sydney 31 Mar: Southern Cross 2 Apr: Kate 30 Apr: Benjamin Noble 1 May: Dollart 29 May: Empress of Ireland (sinking) 17 Jun: HMHS Maine Other incidents 25 Jan: San Antonio 26 Jan: Warrior 28 Feb: HMS Laverock 1 Mar: Camano 2 Apr: Bellubera 21 Apr: Ypiranga (incident) 22 Apr: HMS Isis 29 May: Storstad 8 Jun: Victoria Luise 18 Jun: Bülow 27 Jun: California 1 Jul: Andrei Pervozvanny 6-23 Jul: Komagata Maru (incident) 7 Jul: Mousqueton 1913 1914 1915 June 1914 August 1914

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1936 Shipwrecks 12 Jan: Iowa 17 Feb: Lady Elizabeth 18 Feb: Santa Rosalia 19 Feb: USS R-8 25 Apr: Herzogin Cecilie 5 May: Mishima 7 May: HMAS Anzac 15 May: USS S-4 19 Jun: Tashmoo 8 Jul: USS Alton 25 Jul: USS Smith Thompson 5 Aug: USS Radford 12 Aug: USS Champlin 16 Aug: Eubée 19 Aug:USS R-8 16 Sep: Pourquoi-Pas 8 Oct: Ohioan 20 Nov: U-18 7 Dec: Bury Hill 12 Dec: C-3 19 Dec: Bore VII Unknown date: Conde de Venadito, Hai-Kan No. 6 Other incidents 27 Feb: I-53, I-156 1 Apr: Girl Pat 14 Apr: USS Smith Thompson, USS Whipple 10 May: I-53, I-55 12 May: L'Indomptable, Pasteur 19 Jun: Girl Pat 22 Jul: I-60 23 Jul: I-55 14 Aug: Corinaldo, Eubée 15 Aug: USC&GS Fathomer 24 Aug: HMS Keith 8 Sep: NRP Afonso de Albuquerque, NRP Dão (mutiny) 22 Sep: Rosaura 23 Sep: Angelina Lauro 16 Nov: Bellubera 24 Dec: Pretoria 1935 1937

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1980 Shipwrecks 1 Jan: Sea Shepherd I 12 Jan: HMCS St. Laurent 17 Jan: Salem 20 Jan: Athina B 28 Jan: USCGC Blackthorn 1 Mar: USS Robert L. Wilson 10 Mar: USS Abatan 11 Mar: María Alejandra 20 Mar: Mi Amigo 27 Mar: Alexander L. Kielland 22 Apr: Don Juan April (unknown date): Yolanda 6 Jun: USS John R. Craig 7 Jun: Zenobia 4 Jul: Leonardo da Vinci 27 Jul: USS Stribling 31 Jul: USS Duncan 1 Aug: Bellubera 9 Sep: Derbyshire 11 Oct: Prinsendam October (unknown date): Panagiotis 11 Nov: USS Mindanao 18 Dec: Bamenda Palm Other incidents 18 Jan: Star Clipper 9 May: Summit Venture 22 Jul: Seadaniel, Testbank 1979 1981

v t e Shipwrecks and scuttled vessels of New South Wales Shipwrecks by region Richmond–Tweed Adventure Agnes Enterprize SS Friendship Tassie III HMAS Waree SS Wollongbar Mid North Coast Abbey Ability Absalom Acielle Acme Ada and Ethel Admiral Gifford Adonis Advance (wr.1933) Agnes Irving SS Catterthun Edwin MV Fairwind SS Fingal Fitzroy Governor Hunter Jane HMAS K9 Kalang Kooroongaba Titan Trial Wanganui SS Wollongbar Hunter Ability Active (1850) Active (1877) Ada Adelaide Adolphe Advance (1884) Agnes Alhambra Bee The Bluebell Collision SS Cawarra SS Colonist Contest Dundee Eleanor Lancaster Elizabeth Henrietta Estramina Excalibur Fido Francis Gertrude Governor King Grecian Hope SS Lindus Merksworth TSS Maianbar Norfolk SS Oakland Recovery MV Sygna Wendouree USS WST-1 Central Coast Adelaide Advance HMAS Allenwood SS Bonnie Dundee Hazard Henri PSS Maitland MV Nimbin HMAS Paterson Northern Beaches Adelaide Aenid Argument Charlotte M24 Japanese Midget Submarine SS Myola Narara Queen Bee HMAS Swan Tuncurry Whale Windsor Sydney Eastern Suburbs Agnes Colonist Dunbar Edward Lombe HMAS Goolgwai Greycliffe PS Herald Hereward Iron Chieftain Iserbrook Itata HMAS Karangi SS Kate HMAS Kuttabul Martha Three Bees William Cossar HMAS Woomera Southern Sydney Adelphoi Advance (1872) Advance (1874) Koonya Illawarra Adele Adolphus Agnes SS Bombo Comboyne Hawkesbury Packet Queen of Nations Shockwave Shoalhaven Advance Aeolus Agnes Hive Koraaga Nancy HMAS Voyager Wandra Far South Coast Dureenbee George Iron Knight Ly-ee-Moon Olive Cam Scuttled vessels HMAS Adelaide HMAS Anzac HMAS Australia SS Balgowlah SS Bantam SS Barcoo Bellubera Brighton HMAS Colac Curl Curl Dee Why HMAS Doomba HMAS Encounter HMAS Geranium HMAS Huon HMAS Kara Kara HMAS Kianga HMAS Kuramia HMAS Kookaburra HMS Lewes HMAS Marguerite HMAS Mallow HMAS Medea HMAS Mercedes USS Osborne HMAS Pioneer HMAS Stalwart HMAS Swordsman HMAS Tingira HMAS Torrens HMAS Vendetta HMAS Vigilant HMAS Yarra

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bellubera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellubera) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellubera?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.