New book release:

"S.S. John Oxley Restoration Underway"

S.S. John Oxley Restoration Underway by Hette Mollema | Make Your Own Book

The book is the story of the history and restoration of the John Oxley so far, of what is destined to be the last seagoing coastal steamer in the world.

It is a tribute to the ingenuity, resourcefulness and remarkable engineering aptitude of the volunteers and the generosity of those that have supported the restoration financially and through sponsorship. They are all acknowledged in the book.

The 168 feet 760 Tons S.S. John Oxley launched in 1927 was commissioned and built to ply the Queensland coast as a pilot and buoy vessel. A rare example of this workhorse design, she served her purpose for far longer than planned, with the stoic reliability expected of her.

Acquired by the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1970, in-keeping with their charter to preserve and operate working vessels intrinsic to Australian maritime history. She was taken out of the water in 1997. The vast and substantial task of restoration started in 2002.

This richly illustrated book charts the history of the ship and the progress made, as her restoration continues. Included are many images of the volunteers and restoration. It may be ordered in soft or hard cover. All profits from the sale of the book are donated to the Sydney Heritage Fleet.

The John Oxley is a coastal steamer launched on 21 July 1927. She is a rare surviving example of the shipbuilding industry of that time. Steamers like her used to plie our coast, shipping produce, goods and passengers. She is being restored by the Sydney Heritage Fleet at our shipyard in Rozelle Bay.

	Latest news update Plating progress Steering system
	Discover the John Oxley History and the significance of her construction and machinery, her shipbuilders and stories of its crew members.
	In Restoration read about why we are restoring her, the restoration process, the guidelines for restoration, how it is done, and the latest news about her restoration.
	No volunteer project is possible unless you are Supporting Us. Here you will find that the restoration is done with the active work of our volunteers and the extraordinary financial and material support received from our Sponsors. The Boiler Appeal helps funding restoration of the boilers. Credit is given to Donors of the hull plates, and none of this could be done without the help of our Volunteers.
	Ship Objects gives information on some significant Artefacts, the original Ship's drawings, and a Glossary to help understand the terminology. More detail on the engineering components may also be found in the history and in the photo record.
	The Photo Record has been collected from her Early beginning till today, it presents a pictorial journey of the John Oxley through time.

Site map

Sydney Heritage Fleet
Wharf 7, Pirrama Road
PYRMONT NSW 2009

PO Box 262
QVB, Sydney
NSW 1230
Australia

Phone: 02 9298 3888
Int: 61 2 9298 3888

Fax: 02 9298 3839
Int: 61 2 9298 3839

E-mail: contact Sydney Heritage Fleet at bclayton@shf.org.au
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