Port of registry Sydney Out of service 14 June 1979 Length 34 m Beam 7.6 m | In service 1912-1979 Launched 1912 Tonnage 87,090 kg Builder Huskisson | |
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Name MV Lady Denman
formerly SS Lady Denman Operator Sydney Ferries Limited
Sydney Harbour Transport Board
Public Transport Commission Status Preserved static exhibit (Jervis Bay Maritime Museum) | ||
MV Lady Denman (formerly SS Lady Denman) is a ferry operated by Sydney Ferries Limited and its successors on Sydney Harbour from 1912 until 1979. It was named after Gertrude Denman, wife of the Governor-General.
History
Lady Denman was built by Joseph Dent, Huskisson for Sydney Ferries Limited, being launched in 1912. With the construction of the Harbour Bridge on the horizon, it was designed for a maximum of fifteen years of life. However, after the bridge opened in 1932, it would remain in service being more economical than the larger K-class ferries and better suited to the lesser number of passengers travelling. It was converted to diesel power in 1933 and remained in service until 14 June 1979 when replaced by Lady Street.
A group of people from Huskisson led by Member for South Coast John Hatton banded together and convinced the Public Transport Commission to donate Lady Denman as a museum piece for display in Huskisson. It was towed from Sydney Harbour by HMAS Snipe on 3 January 1980, but was damaged by rough seas and had to turn back.
A second attempt was made on 1 June 1981. However, after running into storm off Wollongong, the ferry began taking on water after a pump failure. The Royal Australian Navy were able to provide HMAS Tobruk to shelter the ferry and the tow was successfully completed to Jervis Bay. On 3 April 1983, Lady Denman was hauled ashore to its final resting place very close to where it had been built. On 3 December 1988 the Lady Denman Maritime Museum (since renamed Jervis Bay Maritime Museum) opened with an enclosed structure erected in 1998.