Sydney ferry BALGOWLAH underway on Sydney Harbour

Photographer William James Hall (Australian, 1877 - 1951)

Datec 1930

Object numberANMS1092[072]

NameGlass plate negative

MediumEmulsion on glass

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Mr and Mrs Glassford

Terms

negatives

HistorySydney ferry BALGOWLAH was built in 1912 by Mort's Dock in Woolwich, Sydney, for the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company. BALGOWLAH was the fourth of six sister-ships built between 1905 and 1922. The other vessels were BINNGARRA, BURRA BRA, BELLUBERA, BARRENJOEY and BARAGOOLA. BALGOWLAH was the last coal burning vessel in the Manly fleet and was in service for nearly forty years, making over 110,000 trips to Manly. BALGOWLAH was taken out of service in 1951 and was used as a spare boat for a number of years before being sold to Stride's Shipbreakers in 1953. The vessel's hull was used as a pontoon during construction of the Iron Cove Bridge and was scuttled nearby when the work was completed.SignificanceThe Hall photographic collection provides an important pictorial record of recreational boating in Sydney Harbour from the 1890s to the 1930s. The collection documents the lively sailing scene in Sydney during this period and features images of vessels ranging from large racing and cruising yachts to the great array of skiffs and the emerging technologies of motorboats. Images of many iconic vessels are also included in this visual record.