MV Bellubera
| History | |
|---|---|
| |
| Name: | Bellubera |
| Operator: | Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company |
| Port of registry: | Sydney |
| Route: | Manly |
| Builder: | Mort's Dock |
| Launched: | 26 April 1910 |
| Out of service: | 29 November 1973 |
| Identification: | IMO number: 5040043 |
| Fate: | Scuttled 1 August 1980 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage: | 499 tonnes |
| Length: | 63 metres |
| Beam: | 9.75 metres |
| Decks: | 2 |
Bellubera was a ferry operated by the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company on the Manly service from 1910 until 1973.
History
Bellubera was built by Mort's Dock, Woolwich for the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company. Launched in 1910, it was the third of six Binngarra type vessels. Due to many misfortunes, it was nicknamed the hoodoo ship. It collided with at least four vessels, sinking two of them, seven people died through direct association with the ferry and at least seven people had fell or jumped off the ferry.[1]
Bellubera had two major conversions done, the first when the open top upper deck was enclosed and the single funnel replaced by two for appearance, one was actually a dummy. In 1936, the original steam engines were replaced by Harland & Wolff diesels. On 16 November 1936, fire broke out at the Kurraba Point depot while workmen were repairing a steel plate on the roof of the upper deck. Molten metal and sparks set alight the leather seats in the saloon and within five minutes the entire ship was ablaze. Four men were trapped below decks, with one dying that night in hospital and a second a few days later. Another spent 21 months in hospital after his legs were burnt.[1][2][3]
Bellubera was rebuilt at Cockatoo Island. In 1954 it was taken to the State Dockyard where it was partially replated, repainted and re-engined with English Electric engines. It was taken out of service on 29 November 1973.[1][2]
It was sold to a company named Trouble Shooter, so certain equipment could be stripped and installed into ex Royal Australia Navy Ton-class minesweeper HMAS Gull. Bellubera's English Electric diesels were removed and returned to the Public Transport Commission to help keep the Baragoola and North Head in service. Bellubera was scuttled off Long Reef on 1 August 1980 and today rests on its side in two pieces in 45 metres of water.[1][2]
References
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