M.V. Kanangra Report
12th February 2010 (links to earlier reports at bottom)
1. Kanangra Restoration Committee (KRC)
Since the last report on 8th. March 2008, considerable changes have taken place both on the vessel and in the KRC. Brett Smith, who was the chairman of the KRC in 2008, was appointed to the position of Operations Manager of Brisbane Ferries. This position required Brett and family to relocate to Brisbane and Brett reluctantly resigned from the KRC. Prior to his resignation he arranged for David Logie to replace him as Chairman of the KRC. David has filled that position from May 2008 to the present time. The makeup of the KRC has changed over the years with Brett Smith, Peter Rozea and John Marsden leaving the project. Alan Pashby and John Mason joined the KRC and Col Tooher has rejoined the KRC after a short period looking after SHF's Rozelle Bay Workshop Tool Store. We thank those who have departed for their valuable contributions and welcome the new members.
2. Hull
Monitoring of the hull, water levels and pumping equipment is carried out on a regular program by the vessel's Engineering Team consisting of Nigel Hobbs and Malcolm Pilcher. Ian Lucas is carrying out regular cathodic voltage measurements between the vessel's steel hull and the zinc sacrificial anodes. This testing is to ensure that the vessel's steel hull is not corroding from the outside. To date the measurements indicates that minimum corrosion is taking place. In late 2009 seawater ingress was discovered in the aft shaft compartment, starboard side. The deteriorated areas of the hull were identified and the areas were "concrete boxed" thus stopping further hull deterioration in the area. The condition and security of the hull remains an area of grave concern and considerable effort is expended to secure the hull until the Kanangra can be placed on the SHF's Sea Heritage Dock (SHD). But we are running out of time!
Hull interior showing corrosion in frames
and hull plating.
Hull interior showing extent of "concrete boxing"
of corroded sections of hull.
The Engine Room hull frames, deck beams, hull plating and flooring plates are receiving treatment to reduce corrosion from the inside of the vessel. Roger Borrow, Michael Cowley, Dave Moore and David Logie are working to ensure the security of the Engine Room steel work is maintained in a satisfactory condition.
The recommendation of the KRC meeting in May 2006, that an in-water survey be carried out no later than the end of 2007 has not taken place and there is still no indication when this will take place.
3. Engineering
The Kanangra's Engineering Team has made considerable progress in the restoration and maintenance of the vessel's Main Engine (ME) and all auxiliary equipment. The Team is currently removing the ME pistons in turn, checking the condition of the pistons, con-rods, bearings, piston rings, cylinder walls and cylinder heads. The various clearances are measured and recorded for future work. When the inspections and measurements of all of the cylinders are completed and the ME reassembled the ME will be turned over by compressed air on a regular basis to even out wear and to keep all bearings oiled.
Main Engine #8 piston being removed from Engine block. Cylinder head had previously been removed for inspection.
4. Deck / Superstructure
Considerable work has taken place on the vessel's superstructure areas. In spite of very little money being available for the project, work continues at a steady pace, thanks to the dedication of the volunteer workforce. The work includes:
4.1 Aft Upper Exterior Deck
The old deck has been removed and the king plank and deck beams were found to be rotten and beyond repair. These items have been replaced with timber donated from several sources. The tops of the lower level cabin wall frames also had to be repaired restored or replaced. The work that was required to be completed before the repaired or replaced deck beams could be fitted was considerable and at times there appeared to be little progress. All cabin frames and deck beams, prior to fitting were treated for rot and termite protection by saturating the bare timber with two-pack epoxy primer and sealer, then covering with three coats of undercoat and one coat of full gloss white enamel paint. Once all the aft upper deck beams have repaired or replaced the deck will be covered with new decking material and waterproofed to secure the deck and the toilet areas underneath.
Upper Aft Deck showing deteriorated deck beams
Restored and replaced deck beams being
painted by volunteer Ian Dineen
4.2 Toilet Areas
The restoration of the aft upper exterior deck has necessitated restoration of the cabin spaces below the deck. The result is a total restoration of the male and female toilet areas. The old wall panelling, metal sheeting and "Masonite" panels have been removed. The wall frames are being repaired and strengthened to support the deck above. A storeroom located on the starboard side of the toilet area will be built as a wheelchair access unisex toilet. This alteration to the original structure of the vessel was approved by the Sydney Heritage Fleet's Board of Directors on the recommendation of the Standards and Specification Committee and will greatly enhance the vessel's future potential. During the removal of the metal wall sheeting in the Ladies toilets, the original 1912 wall panelling and colour schemes were discovered. This discovery caused great excitement and it is planned to restore the Ladies toilet area to the original 1912 panelling style and colour scheme.
Ladies toilet, aft bulkhead showing original 1912
panelling and colour scheme.
Ladies toilet, port side, aft bulkhead showing
doorway to the 1912 era Ladies toilet.
The work associated with the toilet area will be a long and slow project but the appearance of the vessel will be greatly enhanced if we do this project thoroughly.
4.3 Flagpoles
Two volunteers who joined the Kanangra project in 2009 took on the challenge of restoring the vessel's two flagpoles. Both Michael Cowley and Robert Nelson, due to their employment careers had very little experience with hand tools and the complications associated with restoring round flagpoles. With the support and guidance from other more experienced volunteers like John Mason, both Michael and Robert set about the project with enthusiasm. Both flagpoles required considerable structural repairs and they are now finished and are a credit to Michael and Robert's efforts. Such was the quality of the restoration, the team has been asked to restore John Oxley's flagpole. That restoration is nearing completion.
Volunteer Robert Nelson using a draw file
to create a round profile on the
restored forward flagpole.
Volunteer Michael Cowley sanding the repaired end
of the restored aft flagpole.
4.4 Window Restorations
Members of the fledgling community group "Pyrmont Men's Shed" have joined SHF as volunteers whilst their group is being established. The group has agreed to work on Kanangra as volunteers and as a group are restoring the vessel's windows. This work is a big project, as each window has to be removed from the vessel, glass removed, old paint removed to bare timber, frames repaired and frames rebated to accommodate new safety glass. The frames are then sealed with two-pack epoxy sealer, primed, painted and the new glass fitted. When you consider that there are approximately 275 windows to be restored, you appreciate the size of the task that the group has taken on.
4.5 Glass Sponsorship
The window glass being placed in the vessel is 6.3mm. thick laminated safety glass. The SHF has been very lucky in that Viridian Glass, a CSR Company has agreed to sponsor Kanangra by donating all of the glass required by Kanangra for the window restoration project. This support by an Australian Company is of enormous benefit, both financially and psychologically to the Kanangra project and it has lifted the spirits of the volunteers considerably. We sincerely thank Viridian Glass for their support!
4.6 Volunteers
The Kanangra volunteers are a dedicated bunch of people. In spite of financial constraints, they push on with the project and at steady pace. We all talk about when the vessel goes into service but we are all enjoying the projects that we are involved in at the moment.
Previous reports
March 2008
December 2007
November 2007
August 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
February 2007
January 2007
October 2006
July 2004
July 2003
May 2003
January 2003
See Kanangra in the virtual reality panorama of the Heritage Shipyard here.
