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Image Not Available for Manly Steamship Company ferry SOUTH STEYNE
Manly Steamship Company ferry SOUTH STEYNE
Image Not Available for Manly Steamship Company ferry SOUTH STEYNE

Manly Steamship Company ferry SOUTH STEYNE

Maker
Date1950s
Object number00029475
NameModel
MediumWood, plastic, metal, paint
DimensionsOverall: 370 x 1450 x 250 mm, 8.7 kg
ClassificationsModels
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Terry Forest
DescriptionThis model depicts the Manly Steamship Company ferry SOUTH STEYNE.HistoryThe Manly Steamship Company were the most well known ferry operators in Sydney and gained fame for their large cruiser-like steamers that carried passengers between Circular Quay and Manly. By the 1930s the service was growing in popularity and helping to open up the suburb of Manly to the wider Sydney region. SOUTH STEYNE was built in 1938 by Henry Robb Ltd of Leith, Scotland and designed in partnership with W L Dendy general manager of the Port Jackson Steam Navigation Company. At its launch SOUTH STEYNE was described as the fastest and biggest ferry of the British Empire, a claim that was later disproven. SOUTH STEYNE could carry up to 1781 passengers in normal weather conditions and 1398 in rough conditions. It was the last steam-powered ferry to work on Sydney Harbour retiring in 1974. Many Sydneysiders hold a deep affection for the SOUTH STEYNE and it was one of the most famous Manly ferry vessels travelling between Circular Quay and Manly. It made the trip over 100,000 times during its career, carrying more than 92 million passengers. When the Sydney ferry service was taken over by the NSW Government in 1974 the SOUTH STEYNE went into retirement, proving too expensive to run and requiring repairs. It also suffered extensive damage from a fire. SOUTH STEYNE was bought by private owners who restored the vessel. It is currently (2009) moored in Darling Harbour and acts as a function centre and floating restaurant.SignificanceThis model is representative of a well known Sydney Harbour ferry SOUTH STEYNE and its career on Sydney Harbour from 1961 to 1974. The SOUTH STEYNE is now (2010) a floating restaurant in Darling Harbour.