&sq=&lang=&file=File:Sydney_ferry_KARRABEE.jpg) Karrabee as built as a steamer
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Karrabee |
| Operator | |
| 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'.
- ^ "SYDNEY FERRIES". The Sun. No. 2853. New South Wales, Australia. 25 August 1919. p. 5. Retrieved 19 October 2021 – via National Library of Australia.