NSW Vehicular Ferries
The objective of this project was to capture some of the personal stories behind the State's vehicular ferries. The project did not seek to present a definitive history of the ferries, rather a recounting of personal stories about life with the ferries and some memorable events, told by those involved. The interviewees discussed floods, accidents, equipment failures, the types of vehicles & freight using the ferry service, the role of the ferry in the local community and economy, the heritage significance of ferries, a typical work day on a ferry and the problems and hazards associated with ferry maintenance.
The primary output of the study was over 40 hours of taped interviews with people involved in all aspects of the ferries across NSW - their administration, design, construction, towing, maintenance and operation - as well as those in local communities served by ferry.
The opinions expressed in the oral history interview tapes are those of the individuals concerned and do not necessarily represent in whole or in part the position of Roads and Maritime.
NSW Vehicular Ferries - Sound files
NSW Vehicular Ferries
MP3
Part 1: Introduction/The historical significance of ferries/Technical aspects/Disappearing construction & maintenance skills/Cables/Maintenance scheduling/Installation of winches at Mortlake
Real Media
Part 1: Introduction/The historical significance of ferries/Technical aspects/Disappearing construction & maintenance skills/Cables/Maintenance scheduling/Installation of winches at Mortlake
MP3
Part 2: North Coast ferries/Ashby Dry Dock/Slipping the Murray River ferries/Construction of the Speewa ferry/Remodelling of the Wisemans Ferry for Bluff Point/Towing ferries at sea
Real Media
MP3
Part 4: Role of ferries in the road transport network/Clarence River & sugar cane haulage/Richmond River/Steam-powered ferries
Real Media
Part 4: Role of ferries in the road transport network/Clarence River & sugar cane haulage/Richmond River/Steam-powered ferries
MP3
Part 5: Ferries and the local community/Personal recollections of people who used the ferries/Ferries and tourism/Hastings River ferries/Funding of ferry replacements/Ferry queues
Real Media
Part 5: Ferries and the local community/Personal recollections of people who used the ferries/Ferries and tourism/Hastings River ferries/Funding of ferry replacements/Ferry queues