The Lady Mary






 The Lady Mary
Type :
 Wooden screw steamer
Launched  :
1892
Builder :
 Dunn Brothers
Berry's Bay, NSW
Gross weight :
 79 tons
Dimensions :
 83.50 x 22.30 x 7.20 (feet)
Passenger capacity :
 400
Speed :
 unknown

In the early 1890's competition in the Balmain area saw a new company, the Balmain New Ferry Company, enter the market in competition against the established Balmain Steam Ferry Company.

The new company immediately placed an order for two new ships that were to be the fore-runners of the vessels that would dominate the harbour in the first few decades of the twentieth century. The Lady Mary and Lady Napier were both innovative vessels that featured many of the characteristics that would come to be associated with the classic image of a Sydney ferry. Their design was based on work done by the naval architect Sir Walter Reeks.

The Lady Mary operated in the Balmain area until 1928 when Sydney Ferries Ltd announced cut backs on the route due to increased competition from trams and the new motor omnibuses then entering service.

She was sold in 1934 and ended her remaining days as a rather run-down houseboat.

Her fnal fate is unknown.

She is sometimes (incorrectly) named as 'Lady Mary'.
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