Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Image Not Available for Letter regarding carriage of sulphuric acid on KOOTARA
Letter regarding carriage of sulphuric acid on KOOTARA
Image Not Available for Letter regarding carriage of sulphuric acid on KOOTARA

Letter regarding carriage of sulphuric acid on KOOTARA

Date31 January 1967
Object numberANMS1123[002]
NameLetter
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 268 x 210 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Leon Price
DescriptionA series of plans and associated letters and material for the internal fitout of the MV KOOTARA of the Union Steam Ship Co. of N.Z. Ltd with 'special purpose tanks' for the carriage of sulphuric acid, dated 1967.HistoryThis series of plans and associated letters and material relates to the 1967 internal fitout of the MV KOOTARA of the Union Steam Ship Co. of N.Z. Ltd with 'special purpose tanks' for the carriage of sulphuric acid. Includes drawings of tanks, ship structure, scantlings, etc., as well as a letter from Lloyd's Register of Shipping, noting the plans - with conditions - as acceptable. The M V KOOTARA, 2427 tons, was built in 1952 in Newcastle. The vessel was described by a crewman as 'terribly underpowered with a maximum speed of 10 knots' and 'rather ugly', but still 'very comfortable even in force 10 gales'. The KOOTARA traded mainly between Hobart, Burnie (Tasmania)and Port Pirie in South Australia with cargoes of Zinc ingots and various ores. In 1967 side tanks were fitted to carry sulphuric acid as well, mainly to Queensland and Kangaroo Island. In the 1970s the KOOTARA was sold and registered in Limasol and its name changed to the SYDNEY. SignificanceThe plans are a complete, interesting and unusual record of a re-fitting of a coastal cargo vessel that plied southern Australian waters for 20 years.