
Lady Chelmsford
Type :
|
Wooden screw steamer
|
Launched :
|
1910
|
Builder :
|
Rock Davis
Blackwall, NSW
|
Gross weight :
|
98 tons
|
Dimensions :
|
110.00 x 24.70 x 9.80 (feet)
|
Passenger capacity :
|
446
|
Speed :
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10 knots/11 knots after 1957
|
Lady Chelmsford was one of three surviving Lady class ferries and was
one of
two still afloat. She was the only one of her class still afloat in
substantially original condition, Lady Scott is virtually
unrecognisable. The other member of the class, Lady Denman, survives as
an out-of-water static display.
She was a near sister to Lady Denman, Lady Edeline, Lady Scott and Lady
Ferguson. She was the most recognisable of the Ladies as she had a much
skinnier smokestack than the others.
She survived the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and was
modernised with a diesel engine in 1933, this was replaced in 1957.
Lady Chelmsford continued working the harbour until 1971 when she was
sold to Adelaide. She was modified in Adelaide by the removal of her
aft bridgehouse.After remaining there for a few years she was again
sold, this time to Melbourne. In Melbourne she operated as a cruising
restaurant, being taken out of service and sold in 2005. At that time
she was also out of survey and unable to operate in a mobile role. More
recently in 2007, she was sold again to her first Melbourne owners and
returned to a static dining experience. In the first half of 2007 she
came close to sinking at her moorings.
In May of 2007 there were plans to sell her again and
return her back to Sydney Harbour.
Lady Chelmsford was the oldest of her class surviving.
Lady Chelmsford sank at her moorings on February 18th, 2008 - she has
not yet been raised and it appears likely she will be broken up in
place.