Kareela (ferry)
Kareela was a "K-class" ferry on Sydney Harbour. Launched in 1905, the double-ended timber-hulled steamer was built for Sydney Ferries Limited in response to the early twentieth century boom in cross-harbour ferry travel prior to the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. She was the first of Sydney Ferries Limited's boats to have a fully enclosed upper deck.
Kareela at Sydney Ferries Limited base, McMahons Point 1950s | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Kareela |
| Operator |
|
| Builder | Morrison & Sinclair Ltd |
| Launched | 1905 |
| Out of service | 1959 |
| Fate | Broken up |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 186 tons |
| Length | 34.4 m |
| Speed | 10 knots |
| Capacity | 784 passengers approx. |
She survived the 1932 opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge when many ferries were removed from service, and also the early 1950s rationalisation of the fleet following its takeover by the Government of New South Wales. Nicknamed "The Box", she had a relatively incident free career apart from a collision with a wharf that killed three of her passengers. She was sold in 1959 and broken up.
"Kareela" is thought to be an Australian Aboriginal word meaning "south wind".