The Cartela (the Tasmanian Aboriginal name for a bull seal) became well known to me  when travelling daily to work from the eastern shore to central Hobart on the western side of the River Derwent. This became necessary due to the Tasman Bridge becoming badly damaged and unusable when the bulk ore carrier, Lake Illawarra, struck the bridge and bringing down two piers and three road spans. This occurred on Sunday evening, 5 January 1975. Repairs to reopen the bridge soon commenced with traffic resuming on 8 October 1977. 

Cartela was built in 1912 at Battery Point, Hobart for the Huon Channel and Peninsula Steamship Company Pty. Ltd. It is no longer in use and is tied up at Franklin where it is being restored. Till retirement, it was Australia’s oldest continuously licensed passenger vessel.

Its purpose when built was to operate as a cargo and day passenger vessel in the Derwent coastal areas. At construction, she was designed to be the fastest vessel sailing in the area and became noted for her speed.

Her physical features are length 123 feet, beam 25 feet, draught 8 feet 6 inches, of 194 long tons, and powered by a steam engine delivering up to 500 horsepower. It had a large capacity boiler which allowed lengthy periods of operation at maximum speed without losing pressure. The steam engine was replaced in 1958 with an 8-cylinder diesel engine of 160 horsepower, which continued in use until 1975. The third engine was installed to give it the speed provided by its original steam engine. It was a 6- cylinder turbocharged Caterpillar diesel engine, producing 365 horsepower. 

Her chief speed rival was the 152 long ton, S.S. Togo with the two regularly competing in an unofficial race held on the Derwent River on Christmas Day until 1931. Cartela first competed on Christmas Day 1913 and was “Cock of the Derwent” on her first attempt. She went on to win more times than any other vessel and still holds the record of 3 hours and 5 minutes at an average speed of over 13 knots. The course was south on the Derwent, rounding Green Island near North Bruny Island and return to Hobart.

Another stated record was for the fastest boat freight trip between Hobart and Sydney, while carrying a consignment of apples.

The speed capacity of the Cartela became the subject of speculation after being fitted with the powerful Caterpillar engine, comparing it to another ferry, the Lady Wakehurst. This Sydney boat was new, launched in July 1974 and could travel at speed.

One evening a race between the two got underway, The boats had been moored at the same wharf, with the Lady Wakehurst leaving first but almost immediately being followed by the Cartela in which I was aboard. The engines were opened to full throttle and with engines roaring, and black smoke belching from their funnels, and the Cartela shuddering from the power of the engine. People aboard realising what was occurring, went wild with excitement clapping and cheering. Little by little the Cartela caught up to the Lady Wakehurst and inched into the lead, arriving first at Kangaroo Point, three miles distant on the eastern shore, much to the satisfaction of the captain, crew and passengers. She kept her reputation as the fastest ship on the Derwent.

With the passing of years, changes came. Road transport began, providing quicker and more convenient travel and distribution of goods along the river, which led to a decline in ship operations. Some of the boats were transferred to tourist operations.

The Cartela became involved in both World Wars. At the outbreak of World War 1 the Cartela was requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy for use as an examination vessel protecting the port of Hobart. Once the threat of German raiders on the Australian coast had been eliminated in 1916, Cartela was returned to her owner.

In the Second World War, Cartela was used to tow targets for artillery practice.

Written by Ivan Badcock – 15 February 2025