Baragoola Week Ending 28th August 2011
In attendance: Glen, Nick, Gary, Peter C, Peter H, Ernie, Lance, Geoff E, Geoff L, Daniel, Chris, Axel & Peter M Visitors: Two
This week our income was $40 and outgoings were $0. Bit lower than last week.
Don’t forget that all donations over $2 are now tax deductible.
Coming up:
The BPA will be at Manly Corso on Saturday the 17th of September. We’ll be at our usual spot under the fig tree opposite the news agents – thanks to Manly Council for the venue.
One week after we’ll be holding another open day on board the boat; we’ve distributed the flyer to all members and have already received promises from several to put these up in local shopping centres and on community notice boards – get the message out as far and as wide as possible!
A couple of historical events this week in Baragooola’s long history – 1st off, today marks the day in 1934 when Baragoola struck and killed a whale in Sydney Harbour – the event caused the then Maritime Services Board no end of trouble for some nine days as they attempted (and failed) to get rid of the carcass on multiple occasions. In the end the Harbour Trust took over the job and towed it twenty miles out to sea, finally getting rid of it. Probably the strangest thing a Manly ferry has ever hit.
The 31st of this month marks the 89th anniversary of the delivery of Baragoola to the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company by Mort’s. She would enter revenue service on the 3rd of September. There are very few other vessels on Sydney Harbour that have been such an intrinsic part of the fabric of the harbour for so long. Sydney’s poor history of maritime preservation (aided and abetted in many cases by government departments that are hell bent on removing that history in favour of cluttering the scene with fibreglass abominations and endless rows of marinas) means that there are very few reminders of these important vessels left – Sydney has two representative ferries left – ours and Kanangra. Of the once huge fleet of Sydney built ferries, nothing else remains (unless you count the hull of the Lady Scott still in service but unrecognisable as the Harbour Queen. How much of our history has been lost? On to the work, and a very busy week it was with much accomplished too. Peter H turned up earlier in the week and continued with the work of the roof of the aft wheelhouse – underneath the noise and whine of the army Blackhawks (which had the very good sense to stay well away from us this time).
Peter readies a new roofing section for the wheelhouse
This work is progressing well; the proof in the pudding will be of course when it next rains but I have no doubt that this work will lead to a further reduction in rainwater. As part of this work Ernie also did further work on the funnel shroud and this too should not be the major source of rainwater that it has been in the past.
Ernie was also busy working on the oil circulating pump for the aft gearbox propulsion unit. This is now functional and a video has been posted at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTwLADww-Zc
This is really no surprise, despite the doomsayers and ill informed people who have in the past professed to be “experts” on Baragoola and her supposed “non working” condition, so far everything has worked, either first time or after a little bit of a cleanup. But then, in the last few years there has been an awful lot of BS spread about the supposed condition of the vessel! Remember, the experts on Baragoola are the BPA – if it doesn’t come from us it is nothing but misinformation, rumour or outright trouble making.
Oil pressure going up!
The pump in place, cleaned up and painted Work on the hull progressed as well with a good two metre section being completed and it looks excellent (sorry – no pic – will provide next week). Another smaller section that looked suspect was dealt with this week with compression patches being applied and thick scale being removed.
Cleaned hull section
Two compression patches were applied in this area and you can see the difference once the thick scale has been cleaned off- underneath that is good metal. Further work was done internally higher up in the hull as well with a poor plate in the battery compartment rectified and work begun on another (high above the waterline, but in the splash zone). Work was done by Nick, Geoff, Peter C and I.
Nick, Geoff E and I put in some work on the bulwarks midships starboard – Geoff was clearly enjoying himself and did an amazing job stripping the area back to clean metal and the results are quite amazing after Nick completed the work.
In the following photo you can see those results – the blue colour is the reflection of the sky in the fresh paintwork – the hull green is a very deep colour with a tinge of bronze in it and when the sunlight hits it is really quite a sight. Photos don’t do the colour justice – you really do have to see it to get the “wow” factor.
As well the white stripe is very much a hallmark of these classic manly boats and the addition of it to Baragoola really starts to show the looks of the colour scheme off. Externally it has a big impact rather like the colour trim used inside marks out the interior spaces so well.
Quite a good look!
Super shiny bulwark and white stripe
Much work progressed internally this week as well with quite a bit of paint going on in the main saloon. One wall is now completed bar a second coat of red oxide on the skirting board, as is one of the corner sections leading to the smoking saloon. Nick applied the second coat of opaline blue while I did the second coat of cream (high gloss).
In the second picture above you can also see one of the doors under its first coat of high gloss cream, contrast this to the unpainted door to the right. Three doors have now been done in this main section and we are aiming at completing all of them by our open day.
Note to all volunteers – don’t lean anything against these completed sections or YOU will be repainting them with Nick and I keeping a watch on you while you do it.
Glen and Geoff L completed the cleaning back of the upholstered seat at the rear of the forward stairway. For one person this was a two day job for the mate on the aft staircase, but two people made the work go much faster. This little area is becoming a bit of a showcase area and we have plans to reinstall the correct lighting here soon, doing some repair work to the water damaged deckhead, painting up and reinstalling the lifejacket holders and stripping, re-caulking and (lightly) polishing the deck.
This area looks much as it has done for the entire life of the boat, except that it is now closed in (1930’s0 and instead of being varnished as it was then it now carries the paint scheme that Baragoola sported in 1961 (post conversion to diesel).
The staircases are very much a focal point of the vessel and fully restored they are yet another defining example of the typical Manly ferry of the time.
We are very fortunate that these have survived so long without loss or damage. Much like other parts of the boat they also show changes that have occurred over the years – the handrails appear to be off a K class boat (the PJ Co. Would have had access to these when they were managing the inner harbour ferries because the government didn’t know how to (anti-privatisation people take note! – not much has changed )). They aren’t original to Goola – the original handrail was on the opposite sides of the staircase (you can still see where they used to go).
Forward staircase, upper level
Chris arrived on Sunday to reinstall the turbo blower for No. 1 English Electric; he had to leave earlier than expected for personal reasons, but accomplished the task before going (making off with the engine oil dipstick).
Downstairs in the generator flat Daniel, Peter M and Axel applied more anti-rust white paint to the internal hull brightening it up quite a bit more. The bulkheads still remain to be cleaned back and there’s a big job in cleaning and painting the deckhead as well but it is progressing. The lower part of the hull will be painted in opaline blue and we’ll have a rather tidy area here once completed. However, not too sure that the painted over porthole quite looks right......
Gary did quite a bit of work on the lighting in this area and the battery compartment on Friday. We now have permanent lighting, controlled from above the access stairs, to both of these areas. No more plugging in lights in the dark!
On Saturday he rigged up the permanent wiring and switch for the lights in the forward hold as well, the picture shows this in the same place as the original, it has since been painted up to match the colours behind the wiring. This has also resulted in an extension cord being abolished and the hatch now closing correctly.
Wiring for the forward hold
Much, much more was done and the pace of the restoration seems to be picking up – the changes from week to week are quite noticeable and Baragoola is starting to smarten up nicely. It’s very interesting comparing pictures from one year ago to now – the work is a credit to the devoted team and their passion for the ferry. She is not the same boat she was this time last year!
Don’t forget – all donations above two dollars are now tax deductible – see our website for details on how to donate.
Also, if you have Google Talk installed you can chat to us if anyone is online and nearby the computer – add [email protected] as a friend.
That’s it for this week – don’t forget you can keep up with all the latest on our forums at http://www.savethebaragoola.com/forum/index.php and you can see our old newsletters at http://www.savethebaragoola.com/works.html
Our next scheduled working day is next Saturday; pick up from the usual points at Waverton or Greenwich. Got a friend or two? Bring them along as well to pitch in. Next work day is next Saturday – details will be sent out prior as per usual or check our website.
If you’re coming bring your lunch – we do provide tea and coffee facilities. Also ensure that you bring safe footwear and clothes you don’t mind getting a little grubby!
Hope to see you there next weekend!
On a last note – the builder’s plate was installed – well secured so that thieves can’t make off with it as they did the mirror in the ladies saloon (yes, we know who you are – you aren’t doing yourself any favours by hanging on to it.
Baragooola’s builders’ plate
Show your support!
We’re pleased to announce some additions to our range of collectable items.
All items can be ordered by sending an email to [email protected] with the following details:
Your name Postal address Size (for clothing) and quantity Your contact phone number
All items will be sent with an invoice payable within 30 days.
White T-shirt, printed with Baragoola’s build year and our web address, available in white cotton only in sizes S, M, L, XL & XXL. Price is $22 including delivery.
SS Baragoola – Baragoola as built in 1922, white coffee mug.
Price $30.80 including delivery – available now.
SS Binngarra (class vessel), white coffee mugs.
Price $30.80 including delivery – available now.
MV Baragoola – Baragoola near the end of her public life, white coffee mug.
Price $30.80 including delivery – available now – limited edition.
NEW!!!! MV North Head
Price $30.80 including delivery – available now – limited edition only seven available.