Sinking of Baragoola Earlier this month, Sydney had to say goodbye to a historic ship. The MV Baragoola, the last Sydney built Manly Ferry, and the Last Australian Built ferry afloat.
Built with a triple-expansion steam engine, and converted to diesel-electric propulsion in 1961.
Since its decommissioning as a ferry in 1983, the vessel has had a few owners who have attempted to find a new role and restore it. Since 2003, she resided on the north side of Sydney Harbour.
She went under shortly before midnight at her moorings on January 1st, 2022.
The hull had deteriorated, it slowly rusted through and sprung a leak. Two people were aboard and were able to get off safely her upper passenger decks unable to survive the stress of sinking, and the forward third of her superstructure collapsing due to the water pressure.
Sadly, the Heritage status on her had expired about 12 years ago, leaving her owners fully financially responsible for the condition of the ship. The owners may not have been able to afford to do a patch up.
Apparently, there was not an insurance policy on her.
A major piece of Sydney’s maritime history is now gone forever, originally being launched in February, 1922, and serving passengers between Circular Quay and Manly all the way until 1984.
Moreover, the second photo is the morning after the Baragoola sank, since then much of the upper deck has broken away, it’s heartbreaking to see beautiful hand crafted wooden paneling just floating around like harbor trash.
Lastly, not a climactic way to go out, would have made a fantastic museumship!
