Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company
Encyclopedia
Public company
This is not the same as a Government-owned corporation.A public company or publicly traded company is a limited liability company that offers its securities for sale to the general public, typically through a stock exchange, or through market makers operating in over the counter markets...
company that operated the iconic Manly ferries
Manly ferry services, Sydney
Manly ferry services connect the suburb of Manly, New South Wales with Circular Quay by commuter ferry. The services are provided by Sydney Ferries Corporation, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. The route is coloured light blue on the current Sydney Ferries network map. Vessels in the...
in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in the late 19th and 20th Centuries. The Company was eventually taken over and has since been absorbed into the Government owned Sydney Ferries Corporation
Sydney Ferries
Sydney Ferries is an agency of the New South Wales Government Department of Transport, providing ferry services on Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River in Sydney, Australia....
.
The company is notable for coining the expression about Manly
Manly, New South Wales
Manly is a suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Manly is located 17 kilometres north-east of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre of the local government area of Manly Council, in the Northern Beaches region.-History:Manly was named...
being “Seven miles from Sydney and a thousand miles from care” and for promoting development in the Manly
Manly, New South Wales
Manly is a suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Manly is located 17 kilometres north-east of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre of the local government area of Manly Council, in the Northern Beaches region.-History:Manly was named...
and Pittwater
Pittwater
Pittwater is a body of water extending south from Broken Bay, New South Wales, Australia parallel to the coast.The waterway was surveyed by crew members of HMS Sirius in 1788, and named Pitt Water after British Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger...
/ Broken Bay
Broken Bay
Broken Bay is a large inlet of the Pacific Ocean located about 50 km north of Sydney on the coast of New South Wales, Australia, and is the first major bay north of Sydney's Port Jackson.- Geography :...
areas.
Formation
The history of the company is entwined with the history of ManlyManly, New South Wales
Manly is a suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Manly is located 17 kilometres north-east of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre of the local government area of Manly Council, in the Northern Beaches region.-History:Manly was named...
itself. Manly had been envisaged as a seaside resort by Henry Gilbert Smith in the 1850s. Initially Smith had chartered a paddle steamer to Manly and other vessels visited on an ad hoc “excursion” basis. Smith built a wharf in 1855 and eventually acquired an interest in steamers himself and soon more regular services to Manly had commenced.
By 1873, Smith had sold the lease to the wharf and his share of the steamers to the operators of the ferries. The business was later acquired by John Randal Carey (who later founded the Sydney Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph (Australia)
The Daily Telegraph is an Australian tabloid newspaper published in Sydney, New South Wales, by Nationwide News, part of News Corporation.The Tele, as it is also known, was founded in 1879. From 1936 to 1972, it was owned by Frank Packer's Australian Consolidated Press. That year it was sold to...
newspaper) in 1875 and together with three other businessmen formed the Port Jackson Steamship Company Ltd (which was registered on 23 January 1877).
By 1901 the Company’s shares were trading on the Sydney Stock Exchange
Australian Securities Exchange
The Australian Securities Exchange was created by the merger of the Australian Stock Exchange and the Sydney Futures Exchange in July 2006. It is the primary stock exchange group in Australia....
.
After some disquiet about the level of fees being charged by the Company (and having been encouraged by Manly Council which had advertised for an alternative provider) a group of Manly residents established a competitor company, the Manly Co-operative Steam Ferry Company, in 1893.
A period of intense price competition ensued that saw passenger numbers increase substantially. This resulted in the Co-operative experiencing financial difficulties and in 1896 its service collapsed and was taken over by the Port Jackson Company.
In 1907 the company was re-incorporated as the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company Ltd (reflecting the merger some years earlier and sensitivity to Manly residents).
Operations - Manly
Circular Quay ferry wharf, Sydney
Circular Quay Ferry Wharf is the complex of the main commuter wharves in Circular Quay in Sydney, Australia. It is part of the Sydney Ferries network. It is the terminus for all public ferry routes in Sydney....
). Sydney’s growing population (including growth in the 1850s due to the gold rush
Australian gold rushes
The Australian gold rush started in 1851 when prospector Edward Hammond Hargraves claimed the discovery of payable gold near Bathurst, New South Wales, at a site Edward Hargraves called Ophir.Eight months later, gold was found in Victoria...
) saw the demand for the ferry services increase.
During its life, the Company operated a number of types of ferries including paddle steamers, double-ended ferries with a wheelhouse at each end, coal-fired and oil-fired steamers, diesel powered ferries and hydrofoils. Some of the ferries even featured padded lounges and a wine bar. Among the many ferries were the Baragoola
Baragoola
MV Baragoola is a preserved Manly ferry owned by the Baragoola Preservation Association Incorporated and currently statically moored at Balls Head, Waverton...
, Dee Why
Dee Why ferry
The Dee Why class ferries, Dee Why and Curl Curl, , were, from 1928 until 1938, the largest and fastest ferries on Sydney Harbour, being used on the Circular Quay–Manly route....
, and .
Hydrofoil
Hydrofoil
A hydrofoil is a foil which operates in water. They are similar in appearance and purpose to airfoils.Hydrofoils can be artificial, such as the rudder or keel on a boat, the diving planes on a submarine, a surfboard fin, or occur naturally, as with fish fins, the flippers of aquatic mammals, the...
s were introduced in 1965 to provide a high-speed service to Manly in an attempt to boost revenue. While they proved popular, their lack of mechanical reliability lead to their demise (they were ultimately replaced by the JetCats in the early 1990s).
In addition to its ferries, the Company built and operated other attractions to encourage patronage on its Manly run. One such feature was a large shark proof ocean swimming pool, enclosed by a boardwalk (built in 1931), extending from the wharf across to the western side of Manly Cove.
Adjacent to the pool was a bathing pavilion which housed a diving and harbour plunge pool, a dance hall and dining rooms. The pool was blown down by a large storm in 1974.
Other attractions included the conversion of an old cargo wharf into an amusement pier (Manly Fun Pier
Manly Fun Pier
The Manly Fun Pier was a small amusement park located on a wharf in Manly, New South Wales, Australia. It operated from 1931 to 1989.-History:The Manly Fun Pier started life as a cargo wharf at Manly Cove in the 1850s...
), and a World War II-era submarine, previously operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy
Royal Netherlands Navy
The Koninklijke Marine is the navy of the Netherlands. In the mid-17th century the Dutch Navy was the most powerful navy in the world and it played an active role in the wars of the Dutch Republic and later those of the Batavian Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
, and set up adjacent to the sea pool as a museum ship
Museum ship
A museum ship, or sometimes memorial ship, is a ship that has been preserved and converted into a museum open to the public, for educational or memorial purposes...
.
Relationship with Manly Council
During its life, the Company had a complicated relationship with Manly Municipal CouncilManly Council
Manly Council is a Local Government Area on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia.- Demographics :According to the , there:...
. There were several disputes over various matters including the lease of the wharf, cost of fares and freight delivery.
In 1918, seven of the Council’s alderman who had accepted free ferry passes from the Company were charged and found guilty by a magistrate of contravening the Local Government Act and disqualified to act as aldermen. As the council only had a total of nine alderman, there was a period the council did not have a quorum and therefore did not function. The convictions were overturned on appeal.
Operations – Pittwater / Hawkesbury River
In 1942 the Company acquired Palm BeachPalm Beach, New South Wales
Palm Beach is a northern beachside suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Palm Beach is located 41 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Pittwater Council, in the Northern Beaches region. Palm Beach sits on a peninsula at...
business of W.J.Goddard & Sons, including general stores, marine and ferry services.
The company soon acquired some new ferries and was operating services for Church Point
Church Point, New South Wales
Church Point is a suburb in northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Church Point is located 32 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Pittwater Council and is part of the Northern Beaches region.-History:Thomas Langford was the...
, the Basin
The Basin, New South Wales
The Basin is a locality in northern Sydney, in the Australian state of New South Wales. The Basin is located 42 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Pittwater Council....
, Scotland Island
Scotland Island, New South Wales
Scotland Island is an island in the north of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Church Point, Scotland Island's major mainland service locality, is located 32 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Pittwater Council.- Geography and...
, Brooklyn
Brooklyn, New South Wales
Brooklyn is a small suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Brooklyn is located 51 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Hornsby Shire and is part of the North Shore region...
, Berowra
Berowra, New South Wales
Berowra is a suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Berowra is located 38 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Hornsby Shire...
, Bobbin Head
Bobbin Head, New South Wales
Bobbin Head is a locality in Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia.Bobbin Head is a scenic area that is a "near-urban" part of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park...
and Patonga
Patonga, New South Wales
Patonga is a suburb of the Central Coast region of New South Wales, Australia, located on the north bank of the Hawkesbury River, southwest of Woy Woy. It is part of the City of Gosford local government area.-Geography:Patonga is a small riverside community...
.
g
In 1943-44 the Company purchased the Currawong
Currawong Beach, New South Wales
Currawong Beach is a locality in northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Currawong Beach is located 42 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Pittwater Council....
estate (including the guest houses) at Little Mackerel Beach and the Narrabeen Ice Works
In 1950, with the company was facing financial difficulties The Currawong estate was sold the Labor Council of New South Wales
Labor Council of New South Wales
The Labor Council of New South Wales is a representative body of Trade union organisations in the State of New South Wales, Australia. As of 2005 there are 67 unions and 8 Rural and Regional Trades & Labor Councils affiliated to the Labor Council, representing 800,000 workers in NSW...
and some of the Pittwater ferry services were also disposed of.
Decline & sale
Better roads (including the Warringah freeway), the upgrading of the Spit BridgeSpit Bridge
The Spit Bridge is a bascule bridge that carries Spit Road over Middle Harbour in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, at a point called "The Spit", 10 km north-east of the CBD. It connects the suburbs of Mosman, on the south bank and Seaforth, on the north bank...
in 1958 and the spread of cars generally translated into declining ferry patronage and profitability.
On 19 April 1972, the company was acquired by Brambles Industries
Brambles Industries
Brambles Limited is a support services business listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.-History:Brambles traces its history to 1875, when Walter Bramble began his career in Newcastle, north of Sydney, Australia. Brambles Industries Limited first listed in Australia in 1954...
Limited. Following a threat by Brambles to reduce the Manly ferry services, the NSW Government arranged for the Public Transport Commission to take over the service as from 1 December 1974.
After a series of government restructures, the operations of the former Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company now reside in Sydney Ferries Corporation
Sydney Ferries
Sydney Ferries is an agency of the New South Wales Government Department of Transport, providing ferry services on Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River in Sydney, Australia....
Fleet
| Name | Period of service | Fate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairlight | |||
| Brightside | |||
| Brighton | |||
| Narrabeen | 1907-1917 | ||
| Manly | 1907-1924 | ||
| Kuring gai | 1907-1928 | ||
| Barrenjoey | |||
| Baragoola Baragoola MV Baragoola is a preserved Manly ferry owned by the Baragoola Preservation Association Incorporated and currently statically moored at Balls Head, Waverton... |
1922-1983 | Currently Under Restoration By The Baragoola Preservation Association | |
| 1908-1943 | Requistioned by the Royal Australian Navy Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces... as an anti-submarine training vessel and target tow. Sold in 1947 and broken up in 1951. |
||
| 1912-1951 | Sold in 1953, broken up and hulk converted to lighter. Lighter scuttled near Iron Cove Bridge, Sydney. | ||
| Bellubera | |||
| Binngarra | |||
| Dee Why Dee Why ferry The Dee Why class ferries, Dee Why and Curl Curl, , were, from 1928 until 1938, the largest and fastest ferries on Sydney Harbour, being used on the Circular Quay–Manly route.... |
1928-1968 | Sold in 1968, broken up and hulk scuttled off Sydney. | |
| Curl Curl Dee Why ferry The Dee Why class ferries, Dee Why and Curl Curl, , were, from 1928 until 1938, the largest and fastest ferries on Sydney Harbour, being used on the Circular Quay–Manly route.... |
1928-1960 | Sold in 1962, broken up and hulk scuttled off Sydney. | |
| 1938-1974 | Converted into a floating restaurant, currently in Sydney. | ||
| 1965-1980 | Sold to Hydrofoil Seaflight Services Pty Ltd, Queensland. | ||
See also
- Manly ferry services, SydneyManly ferry services, SydneyManly ferry services connect the suburb of Manly, New South Wales with Circular Quay by commuter ferry. The services are provided by Sydney Ferries Corporation, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. The route is coloured light blue on the current Sydney Ferries network map. Vessels in the...
- Sydney FerriesSydney FerriesSydney Ferries is an agency of the New South Wales Government Department of Transport, providing ferry services on Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River in Sydney, Australia....
- List of Australian ferries