An event that occurred on February 18 1951 caused a great degree of excitement in Gellibrand Road. The old Bass Strait ferry SS Nairana which had been moored off Williamstown, broke lose during a 70 mile an hour blow and run aground on the back beach of the Garden City Housing Estate.
All the locals soon heard about it and gathered to' have a look see'. One local character walked past our place with his axe to salvage the ship. That, he said was maritime rules. He was hopeful, but soon found out that there were crowds of people there before him. The staunch little ship stood proudly upright although the 'old salts said that it would list in time' But it didn't..
The old ferry was scrapped and I went down to the ship for a public sale. I was able to buy a small object to remember the occasion and to pass on to my children. Sad end for a ship, but we local residents always felt that it our ship.
Vale SS Nairana. The photos were taken with my box brownie in late 1951.
Rosalie Bray (nee Rosalie Thrupp)
All the locals soon heard about it and gathered to' have a look see'. One local character walked past our place with his axe to salvage the ship. That, he said was maritime rules. He was hopeful, but soon found out that there were crowds of people there before him. The staunch little ship stood proudly upright although the 'old salts said that it would list in time' But it didn't..
The old ferry was scrapped and I went down to the ship for a public sale. I was able to buy a small object to remember the occasion and to pass on to my children. Sad end for a ship, but we local residents always felt that it our ship.
Vale SS Nairana. The photos were taken with my box brownie in late 1951.
Rosalie Bray (nee Rosalie Thrupp)
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