Karrabee (ferry)

Karrabee as built as a steamer
History
Name	Karrabee
Operator	Sydney Ferries Limited Sydney Harbour Transport Board Public Transport Commission Urban Transit Authority
Port of registry	Sydney
Builder	Morrison & Sinclair
Cost	£8,423[1]
Launched	1913
Out of service	Karrabee: 22 January 1984,
Fate	Broken up November 2005
General characteristics
Tonnage	107 tons
Length	32.8 m
Decks	2
Capacity	653

Karrabee was a ferry operated by Sydney Ferries Limited and its NSW State Government operated successors on Sydney Harbour from 1913 until 1984. A wooden ferry built at the time of Sydney Ferries' rapid early twentieth century, she and near "sister", Karingal, were the smallest of the fleet of round-end "K-class ferries".

The ferries were built as coal-fired steamer and were converted to diesel in the 1930s. Unlike many early twentieth century Sydney Ferries, they survived the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the 1930s, and the State Government takeover in 1951.

Karrabee sank at Circular Quay after taking on water during the Great Ferry Race in 1984 - an incident that received extensive media coverage - and did not return to service. The three remaining old wooden ferries were taken out of service shortly after Karrabee's sinking. In service for 71 years, she was among the longest-serving ferries on Sydney Harbour, and after use in Gosford as a floating restaurant, she was broken up in 2005.

"Karrabee" is an Australian Aboriginal word meaning and 'cockatoo'.