Hi Greg, Yes please post some pics if you can. (Even though it's OT)
I went to Melbourne in 88 looking for the Steyne & found her there with an ex Sydney Ferry.(Lady Chelmsford)
I wasn't living in Sydney during the Steyne's heyday & don't think I've ever been aboard her.
I'd jump at the chance to go for a trip.
Cheers for now.
Tim in Sydney.
--- InTramsDownUnder@..., "Gregory Wilson" <gjwsteamtrains@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Peter/All
>
> The Ex Manly ferry South Steyne is temporarily moored at Darling Harbour as a floating restaurant.
>
> The Steyne and I have a bit of history together. I remember her from the days we would spend on the Harbour whilst attending the Railway Picnic, Mum always took time out to let me watch the ferries.
>
> After starting work I used to always try and make time to see her at Cockel Bay, before she just made it to Newcastle. I also saw her once in Ballina under restoration.
>
> I always had a fascination for the old ferry and followed her progress as much as possible. In 1988 I was heavily involved as an active volunteer with steam train operations and 3801 and the Bi-Centenary Train. I walked in to work one day and one of my workmates said had I seen the papers. I said no why, He said the South Steyne is in Sydney. The immediate reply was where?
>
> Lunchtime came and it was out of Redfern to Woolloomooloo Wharf, and their she was. I managed to be able to get on board and get some photo's of her still very much under restoration. Leaving I met one of the engineer's who said they were looking for a steam crew. I went back to work and told my boss if I did not turn up at work on Monday I was sailing to Melbourne. He knew what I was like because every time a steam train went past Eveleigh Carriage Works I would be trackside.
>
> The Saturday morning I was back with video camera in hand. I volunteered to help with the boiler work and on Sunday 19 March 1988 set sail for Melbourne's North Wharf Port Phillip Bay.
>
> Talking of 'surfing', one a number of occasions I was with the Master in the wheelhouse and a one point the ship would be completely still and silent, and he told me we were cresting the wave and both props would be out of the water, then she would rumble back into life as the props and engines entered the water again
>
> A couple of years later I was back on the Harbour to welcome her returning from Melbourne in a massive electrical storm. As she sailed under the bridge the whistle rang out, only it was the whistle that was fitted to Flying Scotsman when we had that here from a South Australian loco.
>
> The next day I was again sailing North this time to Newcastle.
>
> I sailed as an engineer a couple of more times with her in both Newcastle and on the Harbour.
>
> She then became a floating restaurant in Newcastle before returning to Sydney as part of the Sydney Olympic's preparation, before again becoming a floating Restaurant in Darling Harbour.
>
> The South Steyne is an expensive ship to run, however last year she was dry docked at Garden Island and there is talk of getting her going again later this year.
>
> I will try and find some photo's to post if anybody is interested.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Peter Groom
> To:TramsDownUnder@...
> Sent: Saturday, May 02, 2009 6:46 AM
> Subject: Re: [TramsDownUnder] Fw: OT - Richard's Off Topic Pic for May
>
>
>
>
>
> A lot better looking than the ferries I saw on the harbor a few years ago!
>
>
>
> Isn't there an historic ferry or something moored in Darling Harbor near the pedestrianized draw(?) bridge?
>
>
> pete groom
>
> On Apr 30, 2009, at 5:23 PM, Bob Merchant wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi Bob,
>
> As the wonderful old "Dee Why" has been mentioned a bit lately, here's
> a telephoto view of her on the Harbour in January, 1966.
>
> Her sister "Curl Curl" had been withdrawn and scuttled by this time and
> the end was not far off for "Dee Why".
>
> Our little group's fortnightly meetings aboard her for an afternoon
> round trip to Manly are a long time off now, aren't they.
>
> Regards,
> Dick
>
> A small group of Sydney Tramway Museum members used to meet after work every second Friday at Circular Quay for a trip to Many and return on the "Dee Why", and later on the "South Steyne". Some of those trips were truly memorable, especially one made on the last trip before they closed the service due to extremely rough weather!
>
> Richard's OT pic can be viewed at http://tdu.to/Ferry_Dee_Why_Approaching_Circular_Quay_Jan1966.jpg
>
> Cheers,
> Bob M
>
>
>
>
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