Launched in 1955 as A.O.R.1, Berrima is a motor launch owned by the Sydney Heritage Fleet and used around Sydney Harbour. Originally used by Stannard Bros on behalf of Australian Oil Refineries on Botany Bay, it ferried workers from La Perouse to the refinery on the other side of Botany Bay. At times it also doubled as the Pilot Cutter.
Berrima was acquired by the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1990.
Built sometime around 1908, Protex was later purchased in 1934 by the Sydney ferry and tug company, Nicholson Bros. In line with their usual policy of naming their craft using words beginning with ‘Pro’ she was called Protex after a popular brand of soap. Up until 1970, she ferried goods and people from the Palmolive factory at Balmain to various city wharves.
In 1970, she was sold to Mr Terry Hodgson who used her as a ferry operating out of Woy Woy and Toukley, and later between Brooklyn and Dangar Island on the Hawkesbury River.
Protex became part of the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1981 and is berthed at their Rozelle wharf.
Covering Australia’s maritime history from pre-colonial times to the present, the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney has an excellent collection of ships and artefacts on display. The most obvious displays are the ships and boats of the heritage fleet docked on Darling Harbour, but those inside also deserve a lot of attention.
As the oldest users of the Australian coast and waterways, a large section is devoted to indigenous watercraft and heritage. Displays of canoes from around Australia and the Torres Strait are on display.
In 1989, Kay Cottee became the first woman to circumnavigate the world alone, without stopping, without assistance, by way of both hemispheres and the five southernmost capes. It took her 189 days in Blackmores First Lady, in a time before Social Media and with poor communications.
Visitors are able to enter the boat and experience how small it is. Getting on board really makes you realise what an incredible achievement it was.
One section of the Museum has beautifully made ship models relevant to Australia. As the museum is based in Sydney most of the Royal Australian Navy’s shops named HMAS Sydney are displayed. The largest and most impressive is the aircraft carrier, which has amazing detail.
Other models range from sailing ships to bulk iron ore carriers. All were important either for exploration or trade.
Interesting displays located throughout the museum include the ships bell from USS Canberra (AG-2) which was named after HMAS Canberra, a heavy cruiser sunk during the Second World War. A 40mm cannon from a Royal Australian Navy ship lets you get a close up look at this important anti-aircraft weapon.
HMAS Vampire (II) D11 was a Daring class destroyer operated by the Royal Australian Navy. Launched in 1959 and decommissioned in 1986. Entry to Vampire and the other ships is included in the ticket cost of the Maritime Museum (as of March 2024).
HMAS Onslow was an Oberon class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy. Commissioned 1969 in and decommissioned in 1999. Walking through the submarine makes you realise how cramped the conditions are. This isn’t somewhere I would want to live months on end.
The historical fleet contains ships that have importance to Australia’s maritime heritage. Possibly the most impressive to still be preserved is the Krait. This ex-Japanese fishing boat was used by Australia Special Forces during the Second World War to sneak into Singapore Harbour where they damaged 37,000 tonnes of Japanese ships.
