A “Durban Sailing” image from Flickr – click on the name of the photographer below to see more Durban goodness and to thank the photographer.
The DURBAN CASTLE at Circular Quay with SOBRAON in background
Photo by Australian National Maritime Museum on The Commons
The name TINGIRA is a derivative of ‘dingira’ (pronounced din-GREER-a), a word meaning ‘sea’ in the language of the Badtjala people of Fraser Island, Queensland. Originally the clipper ship was called SOBRAON and was built by Alexander Hall of Aberdeen, launched in 1866. It was the largest composite ship ever built at the time and sailed on the England to Australia route for more than 20 years.
In 1891 the NSW Government purchased SOBRAON from Devitt and Moore, and was towed to Sydney Harbour arriving on 15 February 1891.
SOBRAON was acquired to replace the VERNON as a floating reformatory for boys. The ship underwent a series of modifications and became an Industrial School Ship, or Nautical School Ship, for underprivileged boys whom the court had found destitute, or for other reasons saw it fit to hand these boys into the strict, disciplinary life on board SOBRAON.
The boys were given an opportunity to learn the rudiments of a life at sea. The aim of this exercise was to encourage young lads to join the navy or merchant service which at this time was undergoing a dramatic change with steam ships replacing sailing ships. Apart from being disciplined, the boys were given the opportunity to develop their skills as tradesmen and were given a basic education both moral and academic. The band was in much demand on many an important ceremonial occasion.
On 25 April 1912 HMAS TINGIRA (ex-SOBRAON) was commissioned as the first naval training ship in the Royal Australian Navy. It became the training ship to thousands of young boys who chose the Navy as a career under the Department of the Navy’s boy enlistment scheme. TINGIRA did not head to sea for training, but remained moored at Rose Bay for the next 15 years.
By HMAS TINGIRA’s decommissioning in 1927, some 3,168 young boys had had their initial training on board.
In 1929 TINGIRA was bought by W M Ford, a prominent boat builder and floated outside his boatshed in Berry’s Bay. Ford died in 1935 and in 1936 Major Friere and Mrs Ankin negotiated to purchase TINGIRA for the sum of £2,600, and a company was formed to convert the ship into a floating museum, but because of financial difficulties this development failed. TINGIRA was purchased by Karlo Selvinen who finally broke her up in Berry’s Bay in 1942.
The Australian National Maritime Museum undertakes research and accepts public comments that enhance the information we hold about images in our collection. If you can identify a person, vessel or landmark, write the details in the Comments box below.
Thank you for helping caption this important historical image.
Find out more about the hunt for TINGIRA’s last resting place on our blog.
ANMM Collection ANMS1096[176].
Click here to submit your News – free.
Have you tried: Videos From PE?
Quick Durban KwaZulu-Natal Fact: North Coast – The tranquil way of life, in the natural luxury of the North Coast, brings a form of exquisiteness and tranquility. The North Coast stretches from Umdloti to the Mozambique border and includes the towns of Verulam, Tongaat, Stanger, Ballito, Eshowe, Empangeni, Richard’s Bay and St.Lucia. Some of the country’s best game reserves are in Zululand and these are included in this region. Experience the sights and sounds of the ocean’s mammals; the dolphins and whales. Understand the legacy and heritage of Africa’s greatest warrior king, as his realm expands across the horizon, overlooking the warm waters of the Indian Ocean…
Watch a Video:
