Global InformationKulgoa information
 Kulgoa in Sydney Cove, 1924
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| History | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Kulgoa |
| Namesake | Australian Indigenous word for 'returning' |
| Operator | Sydney Ferries Limited |
| Builder | W M Ford Jnr, North Sydney |
| Launched | 1904[1] |
| In service | 1905 |
| Out of service | 1952 |
| Fate | Sold for breaking up, 1952 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 338 tons |
| Length | 42.7 m |
| Beam | 9.6 m |
| Installed power | 60 hp triple expansion steam |
| Propulsion | double-ended screw |
| Speed | 12 knots |
| Capacity | 1,255 |
Kulgoa was a "K-class" ferry on Sydney Harbour. Launched in 1905, the timber-hulled steamer was built for Sydney Ferries Limited during the boom in cross-harbour ferry travel prior to the 1932 opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Kulgoa was Sydney's largest ever wooden ferry. She was a typical early example of the "K-class"; a group of double-deck, double-ended, steam-powered screw ferries. Kulgoa was one of the first Sydney ferries built with the sides of her promenade (upper) deck enclosed, although the ends near the wheelhouses remained open.
She was built for the short but busy cross-harbour route between Circular Quay and Milsons Point. Kulgoa survived the 1932 opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge (17 other Sydney Ferries Limited vessels were sold at the time). She was sold for breaking up in 1952 as part of the fleet rationalisation following the NSW State Government takeover of Sydney Ferries in 1952.
Kulgoa followed Sydney Ferries Limited's then emerging tradition of naming their vessels after Australian Indigenous words starting with "K". "Kulgoa" is thought to be an indigenous word for 'returning'.[2]
- ^ "SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED". The Sunday Sun. No. 78. New South Wales, Australia. 25 September 1904. p. 1. Retrieved 31 July 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "A NEW FERRY BOAT". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 20, 765. New South Wales, Australia. 26 September 1904. p. 5. Retrieved 3 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.