Emu (II) / Brightside (ferry)

as Emu, possibly late 1860s
History
Name	Emu (II), Brightside from 1887
Port of registry	Sydney
Builder	A & J Inglis, Glasgow (re-assembled Brisbane)
Completed	1865
Out of service	1902 converted to cargo vessel
Fate	burnt out 1908, broken up 1909
General characteristics
Tonnage	270 tons
Length	52.1 m
Beam	6.7 m
Installed power	70 hp
Propulsion	2 x inverted diagonal steam engines
Speed	10 knots
Capacity	800

Emu (II), later Brightside, was an iron paddle steamer that operated on the Brisbane River, Moreton Bay, and late Sydney Harbour.

Design and construction[]

The vessel was originally built in 1865 as Emu by A & J Inglis of Glasgow. She was imported in sections and assembled at Kangaroo Point, Brisbane. She had two inverted diagonal steam engines, providing 70 hp and capable of pushing her to 10 knots.

Service history[]

Emu was originally owned by Queensland Steam Navigation Company and used on the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay. She was later used on Port Phillip and was brought to Sydney in 1868. She was run by the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company on Sydney Harbour on the Manly run from January 1877 serving alongside ferries PS Brighton, Sydney's biggest paddle steamer, and Fairlight. The company renamed her Brightside in 1887. In June 1897, she sank at Neutral Bay and was returned to service that year after being converted to a cargo vessel in 1902. She continued working the Manly route until 1908 when she was gutted by fire. The hull was converted to a lighter, and broken up in 1909. Her engines were used in a sawmill.

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  As Emu in Ipswich, between 1865 and 1877

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  As Emu (II) at Circular Quay, 1886

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  Brightside nearing Circular Quay with the newer Manly behind.

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  Approaching Manly Wharf after conversion to a cargo vessel, between 1902 and 1908

See also[]

• List of Sydney Harbour ferries
• Timeline of Sydney Harbour ferries

References[]

• Andrews, Graeme (1975). The Ferries of Sydney. A.H. & A.W. Reed Pty Ltd. ISBN 0589071726.
• Andrews, Graeme (1982). A Pictorial History of Ferries: Sydney and Surrounding Waterways. Sydney: AH & AW Reed Pty Ltd. ISBN 0589503863.
• Gunter, John (1978). Across the harbour : the story of Sydney's ferries. Rigby. ISBN 0727007157.
• Prescott, AM (1984). Sydney Ferry Fleet. Magill South Australia: Ronald H Parsons. ISBN 0909418306.

External links[]

• Media related to Emu (ship, 1864) at Wikimedia Commons