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River ferries have long been a feature of the daily life of Brisbane. Prior to the construction of the first bridge connecting North and South Brisbane in the 1860s they were essential for both personal and commercial use. Even after this they proved an economical alternative for government and local authorities looking to avoid significant capital investment, yet still make provision for cross river pedestrian, four legged and vehicular traffic. Small volume pedestrian traffic could be handled by conventional rowboat with the ferryman at the oars. A simple jetty with steps down to a landing was all that was required in terms of infrastructure. Ferries to carry vehicles, bulky goods and stock required a larger and a more stable craft, sturdy timber punts appear to have been the default. The combination of river current and larger displacement/more weight meant that the vehicular ferries needed to be cable stayed, and in addition, required greater expenditure on approach roads and durable trafficable ramps. Source: brisbanehistorywest.wordpress.com/2019/01/08/muscle-power...

The first known ferry service to Granville was called the Victoria Ferry, a hand operated punt which ran from the bottom of March Street. This was owned by Steward Gordon and his son William. A similar ferry commenced operating from Guava Street in the area where the Granville Bridge was later built. This ferry was replaced by a steam ferry, an iron punt known as the ‘Alert’, painted here, which was built by the Vulcan Foundry and provided a twenty-four hour service. Passengers wishing to cross at night would ring bells which were attached to piles on either side of the river. This would attract the attention of the night operator. Children often rang the bells for fun much to the exasperation of the man on night duty. This ferry serviced Granville residents for many years but as those years progressed and vehicular traffic increased so too did public pressure to have a bridge erected. The Granville Bridge was opened in 1926. Source: maryboroughmuralproject.org/the-ferry/

SHIP DETAILS Rig Twin-Screw Turbo-Electric, 4,912 nhp Built 1935 Built In Barrow-in-Furness Tonnage 23,580g 13,159n Built By Vickers-Armstrong Ltd. Dimensions 640.3 x 82.2 x 33.7 Demise Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co., reg. London. 1935 Oct 4: Maiden voyage was a cruise. 1935 Nov.: Placed on the London - Australia express service. 1939-45: Troopship. 1948-9: Reconditioned. 1949 Oct.27: Resumed the Australian service via Bombay. 1961: Converted to a one-class ship. Bombay omitted. 1963 June 20: Last voyage to Australia. Sold to John S.Latsis, reg. Piraeus & renamed for Karachi - Mecca pilgrimage service. 1969 May 27: Arrived at shipbreakers at La Spezia, Italy to be scrapped. Source: passengers.history.sa.gov.au/node/936709

Strathmore was the third of the five Strath Sisters and after the three-funneled Strathnaver and Strathaird, with their turbo-electric engines, the single-funneled 'sisters' Strathmore, Stratheden, and Strathallan, reverted to the more traditional geared turbines, which had a lower capital cost. Launched on the 4th April 1935, P&O's directors proudly commissioned a lavish brochure to introduce their fine new passenger liner to the public. Source: www.pandosnco.co.uk/strathmore.html The same source also provides a fantastic gallery of photos depicting the interior of the ship.