1974: The Manly Daily & Ferry Overcrowding

Last week, I posted newspaper clippings related to the 1974 fire that damaged the Manly Ferry South Steyne and consequently led to cuts to Manly Ferry services, as only two ferries were available to transport commuters.

The Manly Daily, concerned by the cuts to ferry services as a result, decided to report on overcrowding after claims by the Minister for Transport, Milton Morris, denied any claims of overcrowding.

One reporter and two photographers travelled on the ferries. As the pictures show from The Manly Daily (September 5, 1974) , it was standing room only and even commuters were sitting on the stairs, scenes normally reserved for our rail network. 

The Manly Daily also raised concerns that patronage figures were being underreported as season ticket holders were not required to access turnstiles, as reported on page 1 on September 7, 1974 

The Minister Responds.

   

On September 11 1974, the Transport Minister wrote to The Manly Daily to rebut the newspaper's claims. This included the claim that weekly and season tickets were not available and that those people identified had discounted daily tickets (bought in bulk in advance)

The following day (September 12, 1974), The Manly Daily published a second set of images and provided the service run and dates. In the minister's view, the initial photos were "isolated incidents".

 

The outcome 

To address overcrowding, two Lady Class Ferries - Lady Northcott and Lady Wakehurst were modified for the Manly run with their bows built up to manage the swells as they navigated the heads and gangways were built on their upper deck. 

The Lady Wakehurst commenced operations on the Manly Run in October, followed by Lady Northcott in January 1975. However, they were smaller than the 1200 that could fit on the Baragoola and North Head, with room for only 800. However, it meant that four ferries could operate on the run. Also, Baragoola and North Head were taken off the run (one at a time), meaning only a two-ferry service operated in the short term, keeping services limited. Express buses supplemented ferries.

This would act as a short-term solution until new ferries (Freshwater Class) commenced operation in 1982, when the Freshwater entered service, followed by Queenscliff (1983), Narrabeen (1984) and Collaroy (1988). Except for Collaroy, the Freshwater ferries continue in service, alongside three specially built Emerald Class ferries - Balmoral, Clontarf, and Fairlight. The Emerald Class ferries are significantly smaller than their predecessors - they can carry 400 commuters. One benefit of the Emerald Class ferries is that they complete the run in 20 minutes, allowing them to operate more services.

The NSW Government proposed retiring the Freshwater Class ferries several years ago, and the public backlash that followed ensured they continue to operate today. The same spirit shown by commuters, Manly locals and the media in 1974 when services were under threat (to the point wre Manly ferry services could have been abolished completely), ensured the survival of the Freshwater Class. The NSW Government (now under Labor) are working towards building a new fleet that will replace the Freshwater Class and retain the experience and vibe associated with a ferry commute to and from Manly.

1974: South Steyne Ferry Fire

For decades, the Manly Ferry South Steyne was regarded as the flagship of the Manly Fleet. It was the largest ferry itself, with a capacity for 1700 and had entered service in 1938

On Sunday, August 25, 1974, while berthed at Mort Bay in Balmain, it caught fire. It is believed the fire started in a boiler room before 5pm, and firefighters were called to fight the fire.

Source: "Biggest ferry burns, solving Govt selection problem". The Sydney Morning Herald, August 26: 1. 

The ferry was extensively damaged. 

At the time of the fire, the Manly Ferry route was operated by the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company and was to be taken over by the NSW Government in December 1974. Given the cost of repairs (estimated at $1 million at the time), the NSW Government decided to focus on operating a two-ferry service upon handover.

Given the damage sustained, it was anticipated that the ferry would be scrapped. It never returned to service as a commuter ferry. It was restored n the 1980s and was recommissioned in 1988. 

During the 1990's it spent part of the decade as a floating restaurant before moving to Darling Harbour, where it served as the Olympic Information Centre and, post-Olympics (2000), as a function centre.

In 2016, it was moved to Berry's Bay as it could no longer be accommodated at Darling Harbour and has remained there since.

Impact on Commuters

Commuters were severely impacted by the fire and withdrawal of South Steyne with services reduced. Frequencies were reduced from 30 minutes to 45 minutes. It had added to service cuts due to the retirement of another two ferries - Dee Why (1968) and Bellubera (1974).  

Source: Anonymous. 1974. "Ferry Chaos! Hundreds stranded as new timetable starts". The Manly Daily, August 27: 1. 

Next week, I'll look at the overcrowding concerns that stemmed from it as The Manly Daily saw it and mentioned in the book Manly Ferries of Sydney Harbour.