Ships and Harbours Photos

I served on this ship as 2nd & Chief Officer between 1962 and 1972 and must have spent a total of about 5 years actually on board. Although rather ugly she was very comfortable even in force 10 gales. She traded mainly between Hobart, Burnie (Tasmania)and Port Pirie in South Australia with cargoes of Zinc Ingots and various ores. In her later years side tanks were fitted in order to carry sulphuric acid as well, mainly to Queensland and Kangaroo Island. She was finally fitted with radar in seventy something but never a gyro compass. She was one of the very few ships to ply down the West Coast of Tasmania. After 30 years at sea I still have many fond memories of her and have never sailed with such as an efficient company as Union Steam (Aussie Flag). She was terribly underpowered with a maximum speed of 10 knots with her twin screws and one of her sister ships was sunk off New Zealand after being pooped in stormy weather. My house name is now KOOTARA.

Added by John Wood on 05 February 2007.

I was amazed to find this. I am now the owner of one of Kootara's lifeboats - purchased in Tasmania in March this year. I don't have internet access in Tasmania (Oyster Cove), but if you could let me have a mail address I could send you a photo of the lifeboat (for old times' sake). My mail address is Ron Payne, C/O Kettering Post office, Tasmania 7155.

Added by Ron Payne on 14 April 2007.

Sorry Ron, but I do not give my address to any one with no forwarding address Hope you understand !!!

Added by Paul Mara on 15 April 2007.

Hello Ron,
My U.K. address is in the post. Regards John

Added by John Wood on 23 April 2007.

I was on the Kootara 3 times over the years when we did the port pirie, risdon, adelaide and port lincoln run with an added burnie every now and then too, i changed my home port to Hobart at one stage (due to a woman ) and ended up shanghied into her for my 3rd time, it got to a stage where i couldn't keep out of her ....lol, i was bucko, seaman and a.b. on her in the 60's.

Added by Warren Ross on 02 June 2007.

Hi There, I was a merchant seaman for some years myself and I saw the Kootara off the coast for the last time. I bunkered her in Port Adelaide some time back in the 70's and she was taken over and registered in Limasol and name changed to the "Sydney". I saw her sail down the river out the to sea for the last time...I remember thinking something like that at the time.
I was never in here but my bro and cousin were. I notice Paul that u have the Burwah on site, I was in her sister the Macedon for 2 years. My father was there for 17 years. Have you any pics of her?..I have some if you want a couple.

Added by Gordy Ross on 12 February 2009.

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