WARATAH in 1968 at Newcastle, shortly before it was taken out of service.

Images(6)

WARATAH near Goat island on the Parramatta River, date unknown

WARATAH steaming down the harbour in 2005.

WARATAH at anchor in Akuna Bay, Hawkesbury River.

WARATAH alongside the docks in Newcastle, 2004.

Waratah

Vessel numberHV000065

Vessel Registration Number18681

Builder Government Dockyard

Owner Sydney Heritage Fleet

Previous owner Public Works Department of NSW

Date1902

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 33.07 m x 6.14 m x 3.15 m, 157.5 tonnes (108.5 ft x 20.15 ft x 10.35 ft, 160 tons)

DescriptionWARATAH was launched in 1902, and named BURUNDA, an Indigenous name meaning 'Swan'. The Sydney Morning Herald (23rd May 1902, Launch of a Government Steamer) reported that BURUNDA was christened by Mrs Buckland, the wife of the designer.

BURUNDA's primary task was to tow dredges and barges between ports along the NSW coastline. The steel tug has an engine dating from 1901 that was built in Glasgow. At just over 33 metres long WARATAH has elegant proportions, including a counter stern and raked funnel which portray the graceful style of the Edwardian period. It was renamed WARATAH in 1918.

In 1948 the vessel was no longer allowed to work offshore and its operations were restricted to areas within Newcastle Harbour. WARATAH then performed general duties including servicing navigation buoys and VIP transport until 1968. At that time WARATAH was going to be scrapped but the Sydney Heritage Fleet recognised the tug's importance and purchased WARATAH from the Department of Public Works. After a five year restoration which gained the Fleet international recognition the tug became fully operational. WARATAH remains in use with the Fleet as a charter and excursion vessel on Sydney Harbour.
SignificanceWARATAH is a steam driven tug built in 1902 in Sydney, NSW. It is the oldest tug in working condition in Australia and also the oldest surviving vessel to have been built at Cockatoo Island, NSW, which was one of Australia's biggest ship building yards for many deacdes.