This is a call to action to support the restoration of auckland's last steam ferry. The historic ferry TOROA turns 100 this year, and her dedicated restoration crew are putting out an urgent call to action for the support of donors, sponsors and volunteers to get behind the completion of the restoration and the return of the historic ferry to operation on the Waitematā.
Raised from the bottom of the harbour, towed to Henderson Creek and onto the hard at Selwood Road, S.S. Toroa is the last of her kind and the only survivor of the steam ferry fleet which plied Auckland's harbour before the harbour bridge.
Marking her centennial year, the volunteer team of the Toroa Preservation Society are ready to instal her new planking on her new frames, frames made from a kilometre of bespoke steel milled in Northern England, hot- bent to shape at the restoration yard and installed with steel bulkheads and over 10,000 rivets. Her original ribs were so badly corroded that until this massive task was completed the new planks had nothing to be attached to. In tandem, very large timbers have been sourced, an onsite timber mill erected, and planking is being milled in preparation for Tora’s new hull and decking.
Also completed is the restoration of the triple expansion engine (which was craned out through the steamship’s deck), auxiliary machinery and the two wheel-houses. Colossal progress, mostly invisible from the outside.
The steamship is being restored to Maritime NZ standards and will be able to operate on forestry waste, not coal, and carry up to 400 passengers — passengers who can enjoy the peaceful heartbeat and open decks of this historic steam-powered vessel while exploring and taking pleasure in our harbour, gaining an appreciation of our precious marine environment and the story of Aotearoa’s incredible maritime heritage, and Tāmaki Makaurau’s long tradition of boat building from waka tētē to sailing ships, coasters, steam ferries and yachts.
Operating as a heritage excursion steamer, the Toroa will connect with historic Devonport and North Head, lunch and a tour of the Chelsea Sugar Works, and the ecological and historic revival of volcanic Rangitoto and Motutapu. And the other way, up the harbour to Hobsonville and to Herald Island, once owned by the Devonport Steam Ferry Company and destination by steam ferry for every works, church and society annual picnic. The Toroa will carry locals, visitors national and international, heritage tourists, cruise ship passengers, and every school pupil in Auckland. With
four cabins on two vast decks, she will provide corporate and private charters and a superb venue for music. A unique and pleasurable contribution to Auckland’s tourism offerings.
Sir Bob Harvey, former mayor of Waitakere City, and Toroa patron, says,
“Toroa is an important part of New Zealand Aotearoa’s maritime and social history; it must be preserved and operate again on its home, the Waitematā Harbour. Toroa has been at the centre of water transport on the harbour for 100 years. It’s had a little rest while it’s being repaired and restored, and now we can hardly wait to see it afloat again.”
TPS President Peter McCurdy says, “We just keep on working to realise the vision to have Toroa back on the water, to bring her back to life as an Auckland excursion steamship, like the Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu. It’s vital to get people reconnected with our waterways and harbour, to learn about and value our marine environment and our maritime heritage, and to have some fun doing it.”
Leigh Doeg, the driving force behind the restoration of an Australian ferry and a steam tug, visited the Toroa recently and was astonished at the achievement of the restoration so far and said, “You’re going to get there, and this is going to be huge success.”
Toroa has survived against the odds and is now ready for a well-supported push to complete the restoration and get her ready to be launched back on the Harbour. The Society needs generous donors, sponsors and advocates to make that happen, as well as additional members and volunteers (including those with marketing and social media skills).
The Toroa Preservation Society can be contacted via the website www.steamferrytoroa.com
Pictured below: The TOROA volunteer team (L to R) Gordon Whiteacre, Barry Fullerton, Peter McCurdy, Michael Hilliar, Peter Stone, Terry Hay and Peter Henley on the Toroa sawmill railway. Photography Sherry Roberts.
4 comments
Such a long game, but such a unique and valuable asset and prize to return it to service.
What a wonderful project and a great vision to see this old beauty plying the Waitamata Harbour again one day in the further. Thank you to all involved
As a very young child I was raised in a boarding house in London Street overlooking St Mary’s Bay. I watched the harbour bridge being built while these beautiful ferries passed underneath it, their ultimate demise awaiting its completion. I had aunties in Devonport and my mother would take me on the ferry to visit them most weekends, usually on the Toroa herself. She is a beautiful ship as her photo shows and the article brings back so many pleasurable memories especially enjoying the “peaceful heartbeat of her steam engine and the open decks”. As a Ponsonby child I felt connected to the harbour through the Toroa and her sisters. It’s a wonderful project that could bring incredible experiences for the people and businesses of Ponsonby but it obviously needs sponsorship and donations to move it along. From my young years in London Street I feel Ponsonby’s character heritage deserves to remain connected to the maritime heritage it has always overseen and this wonderful restoration project would be the ideal medium. Great article!!
My grandfather was a ferry master on her for many years
C A Gouk