A classic double end Sydney Ferry.
Lady Cutler was laid down in March 1968 and launched at the State Dockyards in Newcastle, NSW on the 10th August 1968. She was commissioned soon afterwards on the 8th October and quickly made her mark on Sydney's gay harbour life. In many ways she was different to the 'classic' old Sydney ferries, but the double ended style and effect was a similar derivative. She was followed by two almost identical sisterships - Lady Woodward and Lady McKell - on October 19, 1970.
The Lady Cutler served with great distinction for 22 years on the inner harbour run and was decommissioned in 1991. Many people fondly remember her as daily commuters from the inner north shore to the city and other as day trippers to Luna Park and Taronga Zoo. Along with the Lady Woodward and Lady McKell she was originally sold to Hong Kong interests but the deal fell through. In 1998 she was sold to Ron Morrison and then to Shannon Harper, removed from Port Jackson and steamed south to Melbourne.
After arriving in Melbourne much of the steelwork on her hull and superstructure was replaced. Work was sporadic and after 2004 she sat, rather forlornly in the Maribyrnong River awaiting more venture capital to
complete the project of bringing her back into survey as a cruise ship operating in Port Phillip and the Port of Melbourne. Jeff Gordon bought the vessel in 2007 and provided the funds to complete the project.
From January to May repairs to the deck steelwork was completed and her steering and engine controls were reinstated. In June Lady Cutler steamed to Portland where she was slipped and her hull passed through survey. On the return voyage she was nearly lost in gale force winds and large seas in Bass
Strait. After her engine broke down she went to anchor and was finally towed in to her berth in docklands. She completed her refurbishment in Melbourne and started her service life again in December 2007. She was re-commissioned on the 13th January 2008 by the wife of the late Sir Roden Cutler VC, Lady
(Joan) Cutler, who flew down from Sydney for the occasion.
Lady Cutler Facts: the first of the three Lady Cutler Class Ferries on Sydney Harbour
Lady Cutler was laid down in March 1968 and launched at the State Dockyards in Newcastle, NSW on the 10th August 1968. She was commissioned soon afterwards on the 8th October and quickly made her mark on Sydney's gay harbour life. In many ways she was different to the 'classic' old Sydney ferries, but the double ended style and effect was a similar derivative. She was followed by two almost identical sisterships - Lady Woodward and Lady McKell - on October 19, 1970.
The Lady Cutler served with great distinction for 22 years on the inner harbour run and was decommissioned in 1991. Many people fondly remember her as daily commuters from the inner north shore to the city and other as day trippers to Luna Park and Taronga Zoo. Along with the Lady Woodward and Lady McKell she was originally sold to Hong Kong interests but the deal fell through. In 1998 she was sold to Ron Morrison and then to Shannon Harper, removed from Port Jackson and steamed south to Melbourne.
After arriving in Melbourne much of the steelwork on her hull and superstructure was replaced. Work was sporadic and after 2004 she sat, rather forlornly in the Maribyrnong River awaiting more venture capital to
complete the project of bringing her back into survey as a cruise ship operating in Port Phillip and the Port of Melbourne. Jeff Gordon bought the vessel in 2007 and provided the funds to complete the project.
From January to May repairs to the deck steelwork was completed and her steering and engine controls were reinstated. In June Lady Cutler steamed to Portland where she was slipped and her hull passed through survey. On the return voyage she was nearly lost in gale force winds and large seas in Bass
Strait. After her engine broke down she went to anchor and was finally towed in to her berth in docklands. She completed her refurbishment in Melbourne and started her service life again in December 2007. She was re-commissioned on the 13th January 2008 by the wife of the late Sir Roden Cutler VC, Lady
(Joan) Cutler, who flew down from Sydney for the occasion.
Lady Cutler Facts: the first of the three Lady Cutler Class Ferries on Sydney Harbour
| LOA Length | 38.66m |
| Beam Max | 9.3m |
| Depth | 2.1m |
| Fuel Oil | 5000 litres in two tanks |
| Fresh Water | 4500 litres in two tanks |
| Engine | MWM turbo diesel 8 cylinders 510hp |
| Tonnage | 240 tonnes |
| Gennsets | 1 X Lister 25kva and 1 X Cummins 35kva |
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