Model of triple expansion marine surface condensing steam engine
Date1970s
Object number00046700
NameModel
MediumMetal, paint, string, wood
DimensionsOverall (incl. case): 496 x 437 x 288 mm, 23800 g
Overall (excl. case): 252 x 405 x 180 mm, 23800 g
ClassificationsModels
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Alfred Ross
DescriptionModel of triple expansion marine surface condensing steam engine. Built by Mr Alf Ross in the 1970s, the model is based on the engines which powered the Sydney Harbour vehicular ferries KALANG and KARA KARA and is in operational condition using compressed air. Scale is 1 and 1/8" to 1 foot.HistoryThe ferry KARA KARA was ordered in 1925 from J Crichton & Co Ltd, Saltney, Chester, England and was completed in 1926. It operated on the Milson's Point to Fort Macquarie (now site of the Sydney Opera House) route until 1932 when the Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened and vehicular ferries were no longer needed.
Laid up until 1941, the ferry was requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy and converted into an auxiliary boom defence vessel at Mort's Dock, Balmain. HMAS KARA KARA was commissioned into the RAN on 19 May 1941 and sent to Darwin for service. During the Japanese aircraft attack on Darwin on 19 February 1942, KARA KARA escaped serious damage but two crew members (Dick Emms and Tony Moore) were killed.
After the war the ship remained in the Reserve Fleet at Darwin and eventually sailed back to Sydney in 1950. There, without further sea-going service, the ship was transferred to the Unmaintained Reserve at Waverton and then to Athol Bight. In 1972, the RAN sold the ship to Marrickville Metal Holdings for scrap. Stripped of everything useful, the company offered the remains back to the RAN to use as target practice. On 31 January 1973, KARA KARA was towed by the tug BRONZEWING to Jervis Bay where the ship was sunk in 3,000 fathoms.
Luckily, the engine was saved by Bruce Macdonald of the Goulburn Steam Museum who had convinced the scrap owners to let him remove the 35-ton triple expansion marine engine. In 1988 ANMM approached the Goulburn City Council and were eventually able to purchase the engine for display in the NAVY gallery - one of the first exhibits to be installed.SignificanceThis model is a fine representation of both the craft of engine model making and also the genre of marine models. In representing the full size engine on display in the NAVY gallery this model, built by the donor in his retirement, offers us the KARA KARA engine in miniature. It is in working condition via compressed air, allowing visitors an even closer look at the workings of the marine steam engine. The Museum has only a small collection of working engine models and this is a welcome addition.
