A boatload of history
28 July 24
The SS John Oxley was built by Bow McLachlan and Company of Paisley in Renfrewshire, Scotland.
It was launched on 20 July 1927 and after 20 years of restoration work on the Sea Heritage Dock, the John Oxley was re-floated in the Captain Cook Graving Dock at Garden Island on 2 April 2022, and officially re-launched in a ceremony at Glebe Island the following day. She returned to the Sydney Heritage Fleet base at Rozelle Bay on 14 April 2022 to undergo further work towards being fully commissioned.
Who was Bow McLachlan & Co?
William Bow and John McLachlan were the founders of Bow McLachlan & Co. Initially, they manufactured steering gear and light marine engines, later transitioning to shipbuilding after acquiring the Thistle Works in Paisley in 1900.
Why is the SS John Oxley so special?
The SS John Oxley with both cargo hold and passenger accommodation is the only representative of this class of ship left on the Australian coast, and one of only a few remaining in the world. With her triple-expansion steam engine, scotch boilers, steam-assisted steering gear and deck machinery, the SS John Oxley is one of the most captivating ships in Australia’s historic fleet. It is a unique time capsule from a completely different era, providing a working example of steamship machinery that operated ships in the oceans of the world from the 1870s for a century. Her continued preservation and operation are therefore a vital component of our maritime, engineering and social heritage.
What has it to do with Freemasonry?
William Bow served as the Grand Master of the Premier Grand Lodge of England between 1790 and 1813 and played a significant role in the organisation.
About the author and his role
Garry Burns is a volunteer engineer with the Sydney Heritage Fleet and Chief Engineer for the SS John Oxley.
The vessel has recently been relaunched after a 20-year hull rebuild and refit and with the volunteer engineers we are now overhauling and re-tubing the boilers, which will be converted to oil burning.
Want to know more?
If any member or family member would like to visit the SS John Oxley and see the engine and auxiliary machinery working, please get in touch to work out a suitable time, etc.
The SS John Oxley is berthed at the Sydney Heritage Fleet site; Gate 4, 13 James Craig Rd, Rozelle, NSW.
Note: For safety reasons, there is only limited access to the engine room to see the main and auxiliary engines.
If you are interested in viewing a significant piece of maritime history please contact Garry via email: [email protected]
By RW Bro Garry Burns, Chief Engineer SS John Oxley
John Oxley during trials in 1927