Karingal (ferry)

Karingal passes through Spit Bridge, 1924
History
NameKaringal
Operator
Port of registrySydney
BuilderMorrison & Sinclair
Cost£7,726[1]
Launched1913
Out of service1984
IdentificationO/N: 131565[2][3][4]
FateSunk Bass Strait 1985
General characteristics
Tonnage106 tons
Length31.7 m
Decks2
Capacity608

Karingal 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 was the smallest of the round-end "K-class ferries".

Karingal and her very similar "sister", Karrabee, were built as coal-fired steamer and converted to diesel in the 1930s. Unlike many early twentieth century Sydney Ferries, they survived both the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the 1930s and the State Government takeover in 1951.

Karingal, and the other three remaining old wooden ferries, were taken out of service shortly after Karrabee's high-profile sinking at Circular Quay in 1984. In service for 71 years, the two were among the longest-serving ferries on Sydney Harbour.

"Karingal" is an Australian Aboriginal word meaning 'happy home'.

  1. ^ "SYDNEY FERRIES". The Sun. No. 2853. New South Wales, Australia. 25 August 1919. p. 5. Retrieved 19 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ crewlist.org.uk
  3. ^ National Archives of Australia
  4. ^ National Archives of Australia