Romantic/Biloela/Kurnell





 Romantic/Biloela/Kurnell
Type :
 Wooden screw steamer
Launched  :
1916
Builder :
 Commonwealth Naval Dockyard
Cockatoo Island, NSW
Gross weight :
 194 tons
Dimensions :
 138.00 x 32.10 x 8.50 (feet)
Passenger capacity :
 650
Speed :
 unknown

Biloela (as originally named) was built by the Commonwealth Dockyards for use as their own, private ferry. The Commonwealth Dockyard at this time was a busy place and the only access to the island was via ferry. Broadly based on the predominant K class, she lacked many of the amenities that Sydney Ferries Ltd provided in their commuter vessels and was very plain in her fittings in comparison.

In April 1924 she was sold to Sydney Ferries Ltd and renamed to "Romantic". A year later, following upgrading and renovations, she was renamed again, this time as "Kurnell".

After the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932 she was sold to the New South Wales State Dockyard in Newcastle. She operated as their employee ferry until being hulked in 1942.
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