M.V. Curranulla
The “Curranulla” was designed and built by the well-known shipbuilders Morrison and Sinclair of Balmain, Sydney for the Cronulla ferry service owned by Captain Robert Ryall. The “Curranulla” was purpose built for the shallow and rough water of Port Hacking with a 3’6″ of draft. The 53′ timber ferry was constructed of carvel planking with clenched nails and was powered by a 66-horse power 3-cylinder K3 hand start Kelvin diesel giving a top speed of seven knots.
She was commissioned on the 12th May 1939 for the Cronulla to Bundeena ferry run and her engine was converted to a 5LW Gardner in 1986.
The “Curranulla” is now the oldest commuter ferry in Australia working to a regular timetable providing an hourly ferry service between Cronulla and Bundeena.
M.V. Tom Thumb III
The “M.V. Tom Thumb III” was built in Forster N.S.W by Alf Jahnsan and was powered with a 4LW Gardner engine. She was commissioned on the 26th September 1946. In 1952 she was purchased by Cliff Mallam and moved to Cronulla where she had her engine converted to a small 4 cylinder Kelvin engine.
She retained her name of “Alma G” for a while and was then re named the “Gymea” before becoming the “Tom Thumb III” in 1982. Also in 1982 she had her engine changed to a 5LW Gardner engine. The “Tommy” as she is affectionately referred to, is fitted with 2 toilets and a small open area at the front of the vessel.
The “Tom Thumb III” is our daily 3 hour scenic river cruise vessel, putting up the Hacking River from Cronulla to Audley (Royal National Park) and also our support vessel for the daily school children run between Cronulla to Bundeena.