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Photograph of Walter Reeks designed ferry
Photograph of Walter Reeks designed ferry

Photograph of Walter Reeks designed ferry

Datec 1900
Object number00050503
NamePhotograph
MediumPhotograph
DimensionsOverall: 75 x 105 mm
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from the Australian Railway Historical Society NSW Division, Railway Resource Centre
DescriptionOne of two box-brownie camera or similar camera photographs of ferries, circa 1900.HistoryOne of two photographs of ferries, one of which as been identified as a Walter Reeks design. Walter Reeks (1861 - 1925) has strong claims to being Australia's first full time professional naval architect. Reeks pioneered the double-ended, sea-going configuration of ferries with the first two propellor driven craft for the service, MANLY 1896 and KU-RING-GAI in 1899. The double ended ferry in this photograph is almost certainly one of these vessels. All the Lady Class ferries up to 1915 (excepting the LADY NAPIER) were designed by Reeks for the Balmain New Ferry Company, and a number featured his unorthodox cambered keel profile or the single push/pull screw arrangement. Reeks also designed ferries for the Vaucluse run including the GREYCLIFFE.SignificanceThis photographs is a rare, early image of a Walter Reeks designed ferry.