 A historical image of the ship, before restoration. |
|
| Career (Australia) | |
|---|---|
| Laid down: | N/A |
| Launched: | July 21, 1927 |
| Commissioned: | 1927 |
| Decommissioned: | 1968 |
| Homeport: | Sydney |
| Fate: | Under restoration |
| Notes: | Constructed in Scotland. |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 760 gross tons |
| Length: | 168 ft (51 m) |
| Beam: | 32 ft (9.8 m) |
| Draft: | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| Propulsion: | Triple expansion steam engine, 1400 IHP |
| Speed: | 14 kts. |
| Capacity: | 14 pilots |
| Complement: | 15 crew |
| Armament: | One 20mm Oerlikon cannon |
The John Oxley is an Australian coastal steamer, (a type of vessel that stays in coastal waters without venturing into deep ocean regions, due to design constraints such as a reduced keel) built in 1927 in Scotland. The ship was used as a pilot boat, and lighthouse and buoy tender until 1968. In 1970, it was acquired by the Lady Hopetoun and Port Jackson Marine Steam Museum Ltd, and is currently undergoing restoration at Rozelle Bay, Sydney.
The John Oxley is the last surviving Australian coastal steamer, and is significant in maritime history as one of the few surviving steam-era coastal steamships. It is also the largest steam-powered vessel in Australia by displacement, however the former Manly Ferry South Steyne is bigger based on dimensions.[1]
Contents |
History
Pilot boat, buoy and lighthouse tender
Coastal steamships, a type of vessel propagated in Great Britain, soon reached the British Empire's outlying colonies and dependencies, and coastal steamers became a common sight in the Southern Pacific in the early Twentieth century. Australia was especially famous for the many large steamships. Most major shipbuilding facilities were located in Europe. As such, the John Oxley, a pilot ship, was laid down by Bow McLachlan & Co. Ltd.[2] The John Oxley, after construction was finished and arrived in Australia in the late 1920s, was put to her built usage as a pilot ship in Moreton Bay and buoy and lighthouse tender in the Sydney/Queensland area.[citation needed] The ship continued in this role until being taken taken over by the RAN in 1943. The ship had a 20mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun mounted on the stern.[3] The ship was returned to her former duties in 1946, and was also converted from coal to oil power that same year. The John Oxley continued to serve as a pilot ship, and lighthouse and buoy tender until 1968, when the vessel was decommissioned. In her later years she became increasingly decrepit, described in a 1964 Seaman Union's journal as a "rust heap" with "the worst living conditions of any ship on the entire Australian coast."[4]
In Heritage Fleet
In 1970, the John Oxley was acquired by the Lady Hopetoun and Port Jackson Marine Steam Museum Ltd (now the Sydney Heritage Fleet) after being disposed by the Queensland Government. The ship saw very little usage until 1997, when restoration on another ship, the James Craig, was completed. Until then, the ship's hull had gradually deteriorated, and was badly in need of repairs. Because another vessel of the Heritage Fleet was currently under restoration, the ship was only drydocked for immediate and necessary repairs until 2004, when the ship was moved to Sydney, and was drydocked.
Current state
The ship is situated in the drydock of the Sydney Heritage Fleet, undergoing restoration. [5] The ship, during the eighty years on the water, had accumulated massive amounts of corrosion and rust. Many components, including hull plates, have required complete replication from original plans.[6] However, the ship above the waterline, and superstructure, have remained in reasonably good condition.
Historical significance
The John Oxley is a ship of considerable historical significance in maritime heritage preservation, as save for the propulsion method switch, the ship remains essentially in the exact, unaltered condition as when the ship was first launched. The ship's lines are very conventional and typical of the ship designs of her era.[7]
Construction method
The ship's hull is of a riveted construction type. Some of the superstructure, including the captain's cabin and wheelhouse, is built of teak. In keeping with the builder's methods of the time of construction, the decks are also of teak.
References
- ^ Australian Heritage Fleet. "Short history of steamships in Australia". http://www.australianheritagefleet.com.au/JO-restoration/JO-why-restore.html.
- ^ Australian Heritage Fleet. "Account of ship's construction". http://www.australianheritagefleet.com.au/JO-history/JO-ship-builders-history.html.
- ^ Serjeant, John (2004-05-18). "Interview with former navy crewman of John Oxley". http://www.australianheritagefleet.com.au/JO-history/Serjent.html.
- ^ Seaman's Union paper, reprinted in Seccombe, Ralph (August 2008). "Upstairs, Downstairs". Australian Sea Heritage (Sydney, Australia: Sydney Maritime Museum Ltd) (92): pp9–14.
- ^ Restoration News, retrieved 2009-03-09
- ^ Australian Heritage Fleet. "Current state of ship and restoration". http://www.australianheritagefleet.com.au/JO-restoration/JO-restoration.html.
- ^ Australian Heritage Fleet. "John Oxley history and information on historical significance". http://www.australianheritagefleet.com.au/JO-history/JO-history.html.
External links
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