View source for SS Barossa

{{otherships|HMS Barossa}}
{{short description|Scottish-built bulk carrier}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}} 
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image= StateLibQld 1 133681 Barossa (ship).jpg
|Ship caption= ''Barossa''
}} 
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header= 
|Ship name= *1938: ''Barossa''
*1964: ''Cronulla''
|Ship namesake= *1938: either the [[Barossa Valley]] or the [[Barossa Range]]
*1964: [[Cronulla, New South Wales|Cronulla, NSW]]
|Ship owner= *1938: [[File:Adelaide Steamship Company house flag.svg|border|20px]] [[Adelaide Steamship Company|Adelaide SS Co]]
*1964: Associated SS Pty Ltd
*1965: San Jerome SS Co
*1969: {{lang|es|Cia Nueva del Oriente|italic=no}}
|Ship operator= *1964: John Manners & Co
*1969 I Wang
|Ship registry= *1938: {{flagicon|Australia|civil}} [[Port of Melbourne|Melbourne]]
*1964: {{flagicon|UK|civil}} [[Port of Hong Kong|Hong Kong]]
*1965: {{flagicon|Panama}} [[Panama]]
|Ship route= 
|Ship ordered= 
|Ship builder= [[Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company|Caledon S&E]], [[Dundee]]
|Ship original cost= 
|Ship yard number= 370
|Ship laid down= 
|Ship launched= 28 February 1938
|Ship sponsor= [[Henry Galway|Lady Galway]]
|Ship completed= April 1938
|Ship maiden voyage= 
|Ship identification= *1938: UK [[official number]] 159574
*1938: [[Maritime call sign|call sign]] VLKY
*{{ICS|Victor}}{{ICS|Lima}}{{ICS|Kilo}}{{ICS|Yankee}}
|Ship fate= Scrapped in Hong Kong, 1968
|Ship notes= 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship type= [[bulk carrier]]
|Ship tonnage= {{GRT|4239}}; {{NRT|2382}}; {{DWT|5600}}
|Ship displacement= 
|Ship length= *{{cvt|378|ft|4|in|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|overall]]
*{{cvt|367.1|ft|abbr=on}} registered
|Ship beam= {{cvt|50.3|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught= {{cvt|22|ft|7+1/4|in|abbr=on|2}}
|Ship depth= {{cvt|24.6|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship decks= 1
|Ship power= [[Marine steam engine#Triple or multiple expansion|triple-expansion engine]] + [[:de:Abdampfturbine|exhaust turbine]]; 390 [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|NHP]]
|Ship propulsion= 1 × [[Propeller|screw]]
|Ship speed= {{convert|12+3/4|kn|km/h|0}}
|Ship capacity= {{convert|264250|cuft|0}}
|Ship crew=
|Ship armament= 
|Ship sensors= 
|Ship notes= [[sister ship]]s: ''Bundaleer''; ''Barwon''
}}
|}

'''SS ''Barossa''''' was a [[Steamship|steam]] [[bulk carrier]]. She was built in [[Scotland]] in 1938 for the [[Adelaide Steamship Company]] of [[South Australia]]. In 1942 she was burnt out in the [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] [[bombing of Darwin]], but she was raised and repaired. In 1949 she was the focus of a [[Dockworker|watersiders]]' [[Strike action|strike]] in [[Port of Brisbane|Brisbane]], which as a result is sometimes called the "''Barossa'' strike".

In 1964, the Adelaide SS Co merged its interstate shipping fleet with that of with [[McIlwraith, McEacharn & Co]], and ''Barossa'' was renamed '''''Cronulla'''''. Later that year she was sold, and [[Ship registration|registered]] in [[British Hong Kong|Hong Kong]]. In 1965 she was sold again, and registered under the [[Panama]]nian [[flag of convenience]]. In 1969 she was damaged by a [[typhoon]]. She was declared a [[total loss]], and [[Ship breaking|scrapped]] in Hong Kong.

==Building and launch==
Between 1937 and 1939 the [[Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company]] in [[Dundee]] on the [[Firth of Tay]] built a series of cargo steamships for Australian shipping companies to use in the [[Coastal trading vessel|coastal trade]] between the different [[states and territories of Australia]]. Yard numbers 362 and 363 were launched in 1937 as {{HMAS|Bungaree||2}} and ''Beltana'' for the Adelaide SS Co.<ref name=SBS-Bungaree>{{cite web |title=Bungaree |work=Scottish Built Ships |publisher=Caledonian Maritime Research Trust |access-date=9 November 2024 |url= https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?&ref=50723}}</ref><ref name=SBS-Beltana>{{cite web |title=Beltana |work=Scottish Built Ships |publisher=Caledonian Maritime Research Trust |access-date=9 November 2024 |url= https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?&ref=50724}}</ref> Yard number 371 was launched in 1938 as ''Kooringa'', a slightly enlarged version for McIlwraith, McEacharn.<ref name=SBS-Kooringa>{{cite web |title=Kooringa |work=Scottish Built Ships |publisher=Caledonian Maritime Research Trust |access-date=9 November 2024 |url= https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?&ref=50732}}</ref> Slightly larger again was yard number 370, which was launched in 1938 as ''Barossa'' for the Adelaide SS Co.<ref name=SBS-Barossa>{{cite web |title=Barossa |work=Scottish Built Ships |publisher=Caledonian Maritime Research Trust |access-date=9 November 2024 |url= https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?&ref=50731}}</ref> In 1939 Caledon launched two more ships to the same dimensions as ''Barossa'': yard number 374 as ''Bundaleer'' for the Adelaide SS Co, and yard number 380 as ''Barwon'' for [[Huddart Parker]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Fourth new ship launched for Adelaide Steamship Co. |newspaper=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]] |place=Adelaide |date=16 March 1939 |page=12 |via=[[Trove]] |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/74408180}}</ref><ref name=SBS-Bundaleer>{{cite web |title=Bundaleer |work=Scottish Built Ships |publisher=Caledonian Maritime Research Trust |access-date=9 November 2024 |url= https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?&ref=50735}}</ref><ref name=Barwon>{{cite web |title=Barwon |work=Scottish Built Ships |publisher=Caledonian Maritime Research Trust |access-date=9 November 2024 |url= https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?&ref=50741}}</ref><!-- "Scottish Built Ships" gives the wrong lengths for "Bundaleer" and "Barwon". "Lloyd's Register" records them as exactly the same length as "Barossa". -->

Lady Galway launched ''Barossa'' in Dundee on 28 February 1938. She was the wife of Sir [[Henry Galway]], a former [[Governor of South Australia]].<ref name=DCN-1938-0314>{{cite news |title=Barossa for Interstate Trade |newspaper=[[Daily Cargo News|Daily Commercial News and Shipping List]] |place=Sydney, NSW |date=14 March 1938 |page=5 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/161954700}}</ref> There was a strong south-westerly wind, which drove the uncompleted ship about {{convert|3|nmi|km|0}} down the Firth of Tay. VA Cappon's [[Tugboat|tug]] ''Gauntlet'' took her in tow, but was unable to make headway with her against the wind. She was joined by Cappon's tug ''Mentor'', and the Dundee Port Trustees' tug ''Harecraig'', and the three together succeeded in towing ''Barossa'' back to Caledon's fitting-out jetty.<ref>{{cite news |title=New cargo steamer Barossa launched in high wind |newspaper=The Advertiser |place=Adelaide |date=16 April 1939 |page=16 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/74385750}}</ref>

==Description and registration==
''Barossa''{{'}}s lengths were {{cvt|378|ft|4|in|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|overall]]{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1957|loc=BARON INVERCLYDE}} and {{cvt|367.1|ft|abbr=on}} registered. Her [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] was {{cvt|50.3|ft|abbr=on}}, her depth was {{cvt|24.6|ft|abbr=on}}, and her [[Draft (hull)|draught]] was {{cvt|22|ft|7+1/4|in|abbr=on|2}}. Her [[tonnage]]s were {{GRT|4239}}; {{NRT|2382}};{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1939|loc=BAR}} and {{DWT|5600}}.<ref name=CP-1938-0809>{{cite news |title=The Barossa |newspaper=[[The Cairns Post]] |place=Cairns, QLD |date=9 August 1938 |page=8 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/42141675}}</ref> Whereas ''Bungaree'' and ''Beltana'' were [[tweendecker]]s, ''Barossa'' differed in having a single deck.<ref name=DCN-1938-0314/> She had four [[Hold (compartment)|holds]],<ref name=NS-1938-0622>{{cite news |title=New Adelaide Coy. Steamer |newspaper=[[The Newcastle Sun]] |place=[[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle, NSW]] |date=22 June 1939 |page=7 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/166697456}}</ref> each {{cvt|62|ft|abbr=on}} long by {{cvt|50|ft|abbr=on}} wide, and each with a hatch {{cvt|34|ft|abbr=on}} wide.<ref name=DM-1938-0803>{{cite news |title=Barossa Leaves for the North |newspaper=[[Daily Mercury]] |place=[[Mackay, Queensland|Mackay, QLD]] |date=3 August 1938 |page=6 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/174115446}}</ref> Her total cargo capacity was {{convert|264250|cuft|0}}.<ref name=CP-1938-0809/> Each of her cargo hatches had four [[derrick]]s to speed the loading and discharging of cargo.<ref name=DCN-1938-0314/> They comprised seven pairs of five-ton derricks; one pair of ten-ton derricks; and, for her Number 2 Hold, one derrick able to lift up to 25 tons.<ref name=DCN-1938-0314/> She had a [[Bow (watercraft)#Types|raked bow]] and [[Stern#Cruiser|cruiser stern]]. Amidships she had a [[superstructure]] between holds 2 and 3 that included her [[Bridge (nautical)|bridge]] and berths for her [[Deck department|deck]] officers. Between holds 3 and 4 she had a superstructure over her [[engine room]], which included her single funnel, and berths for her [[Engine department|engineer officers]]. Berths for her [[Naval rating|crew]] were in her [[Poop deck|poop]], aft of hold 4.<ref name=DCN-1938-0314/>

[[File:Bauer Wach Turbine.PNG|thumb|Plan of a [[Marine steam engine#Triple or multiple expansion|triple-expansion engine]] with a [[:de:Gustav Bauer (Maschinenbauer)|Bauer]]-Wach [[:de:Abdampfturbine|exhaust turbine]] ]]
''Barossa'' had a single [[Propeller|screw]]. John G Kincaid & Co of [[Greenock]] built her main engine, which was a three-cylinder [[Marine steam engine#Triple or multiple expansion|triple-expansion engine]]. She also had a [[:de:Gustav Bauer (Maschinenbauer)|Bauer]]-Wach [[:de:Abdampfturbine|exhaust turbine]], which drove the same [[Drive shaft#Marine drive shafts|propeller shaft]] via a [[Hermann Föttinger|Föttinger]] [[fluid coupling]] and [[Gear train|double reduction gearing]].{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1939|loc=BAR}}<!-- The sources cited do not state who made the turbine. However, Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson made the exhaust turbine for her sistre ship "Bungaree". If you can verify who made "Barossa"'s exhaust turbine, please do! --> The exhaust turbine was for fuel economy. Older ships on the Austalian coastal trade typically burnt about 40 tons of coal a day. ''Barossa'' was designed to maintain {{convert|11|kn|km/h}} on only 22 tons a day.<ref name=DM-1938-0803/> The combined power of her reciprocating engine plus turbine was rated at 390 [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|NHP]].{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1939|loc=BAR}} The tunnel for her propeller shaft was "submerged" beneath hold 4, to protect it from damage when unloading cargo.<ref name=NS-1938-0622/>

[[AWA Technology Services|Amalgamated Wireless Australasia]] (AWA) made her [[wireless telegraphy]] (W/T) equipment.<ref name=DCN-1938-0608>{{cite news |title=Barossa's Wireless |newspaper=Daily Commercial News and Shipping List |place=Sydney, NSW |date=8 June 1938 |page=1 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/161958661}}</ref> Her [[Maritime call sign|call sign]] was VLKY. She was registered in [[Port of Melbourne|Melbourne]], and her UK [[official number]] was 159574.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1939|loc=BAR}}{{sfn|''Mercantile Navy List'' 1939|p=33}}

==Delivery voyage==
''Barossa'' successfully made her [[sea trial]]s on 28 April, and two days later left Scotland for Australia<ref>{{cite news |title=S.S. Barossa |newspaper=Daily Commercial News and Shipping List |place=Sydney, NSW |date=3 May 1938 |page=5 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/161957731}}</ref> in ballast.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Interstate Steamer |newspaper=Daily Commercial News and Shipping List |place=Sydney, NSW |date=24 June 1938 |page=5 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/161961627}}</ref> [[Sea captain|Captain]] WF Lee, the Adelaide SS Co wharf superintendent at [[Port Adelaide]], was her [[Master mariner|Master]] on her delivery voyage to Australia.<ref name=DCN-1938-0314/> AWA designed her W/T set to have a range of a few hundred miles. However, as she crossed the [[Indian Ocean]], ''Barossa'' exchanged W/T signals with [[Wireless Hill Park|Applecross wireless station]] in [[Western Australia]], at a distance of more than {{convert|3000|mi}}.<ref name=DCN-1938-0608/> On 16 June ''Barossa'' arrived in the [[Spencer Gulf]] of South Australia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Warraroo Shipping. |newspaper=The [[Kadina and Wallaroo Times]] |place=[[Kadina, South Australia|Kadina, SA]] |date=18 June 1938 |page=2 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110509473}}</ref> She loaded ironstone at [[Whyalla]] for [[BHP]], then sailed via [[Port of Newcastle|Newcastle]], NSW to [[Port Jackson|Sydney]], where she arrived on 24 June.<ref>{{cite news |title=Barossa's Maiden Voyage |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=24 June 1938 |page=16 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17486768}}</ref> Once she had arrived in Australia, Captain D Morrison relieved Captain WF Lee as her Master.<ref name=CP-1938-0809/> In the first week of July she made further sea trials, on which she achieved a speed of {{convert|12+3/4|kn|km/h|0}} over a [[Nautical measured mile|measured mile]].<ref>{{cite news |title=New Coastal Freighter |newspaper=[[The Courier-Mail]] |place=Brisbane |date=6 July 1938 |page=9 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/41007292}}</ref>

==1938 crew dispute==
[[File:StateLibQld 1 251112 Painters working on repainting the bow of the Barossa while in port at Brisbane.jpg|thumb|upright|Men painting ''Barossa''{{'}}s bow in Brisbane; date unknown]]
In November 1938 there was a labour dispute aboard ''Barossa''. 12 of her crew were [[Seamen's Union of Australia]] members, but the others were non-union men. The union members reported that they were "in fear of their lives. They were threatened with bottles and iron bars". One seaman claimed that when the ship was in [[Townsville]], Queensland, a non-union man had entered his quarters and threatened to throw him into the sea. Two witnesses corroborated his report, and the seaman said that a pair of his [[seaboot]]s had disappeared. Another union member also reported that items of his clothing had gone missing.<ref name=PR-1938-1122>{{cite news |title=Classed as Deserters |newspaper=[[The Recorder (Port Pirie)|The Recorder]] |place=Port Pirie |date=22 November 1938 |page=2 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/96289796}}</ref> After ''Barossa'' reached [[Port Pirie]], South Australia, one of her [[Fireman (steam engine)|firemen]] reported to police that a [[cornet]] worth [[Australian pound|£A]] 15 and clothing worth £A5 had disappeared from his possession, and that his bicycle had been damaged. At Port Pirie the tug ''Yacka'' retrieved clothing of crew members from under the wharf, including a pair of the fireman's trousers.<ref name=News-1938-1121>{{cite news |title=Replaced by Volunteers |newspaper=[[The News (Adelaide)|The News]] |place=Adelaide |date=21 November 1938 |page=3 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131912429}}</ref>

The union members asked Captain Morrison to replace two non-union firemen with union members. Morrison refused. On 19 November, ''Barossa'' completed discharging cargo at Port Pirie, and was ready to sail, but eight of the 12 union members left the ship and refused to sail. The dispute delayed sailing for 18 hours. Morrison replaced the men who had left the ship with eight non-union men, and she sailed at 04:20 hrs on 20 November.<ref name=News-1938-1121/> The local shipping master, AM Bickers, deemed them [[Desertion|deserters]], and revoked their licenses for three months.<ref>{{cite news |title=Delicensed for Three Months |newspaper=The Recorder |place=Port Pirie |date=24 November 1938 |page=2 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/96290035}}</ref> The local representative of the seamen's union, AJ Jeffery, said that "these men had lawful and reasonable excuse" to leave the ship, and that the union would appeal on their behalf to the Deputy Director of Navigation in Port Adelaide.<ref name=PR-1938-1122/>

==Bombing and salvage==
''Barossa'' was in Darwin, [[Northern Territory]] on 19 February, when hundreds of Japanese aircraft attacked the port and town. Incendiary bombs hit her and set her on fire. Her crew, helped by tugs, tried unsuccessfully to fight the fire.<ref name=RANN-1959-0904>{{cite news |title=Another graphic Darwin story |newspaper=[[Royal Australian Navy]] News |place=Sydney, NSW |date=4 September 1959 |page=2 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/267346269}}</ref><ref name=RANN-1962-0209>{{cite news |last=Jay |first=Philip S |title=Jap Air Raid On Darwin |newspaper=Royal Australian Navy News |place=Sydney, NSW |date=9 February 1962 |page=2 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/267322529}}</ref> Accounts differ as to what happened next. News reports published in August 1945 say that she was [[Angle of list|listing]] heavily; but her crew beached her to stop her from sinking.<ref name=Tiser-1945-0824>{{cite news |title=Salvaged Vessel at Port Adelaide |newspaper=The Advertiser |place=Adelaide |date=24 August 1945 |page=8 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/43507904}}</ref><ref name=TT-1945-0831>{{cite news |title=Salvaged Boat Here with Sleepers |newspaper=[[The Transcontinental]] |place=[[Port Augusta]] |date=31 August 1945 |page=1 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/168301995}}</ref> A report that the [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN) published in 1959, and republished in 1962, says she was towed into midstream, anchored, and left to burn herself out.<ref name=RANN-1959-0904/><ref name=RANN-1962-0209/> Her back was broken; her superstructures were burnt out; and some of her equipment was destroyed; but her engines and boilers survived undamaged. The Adelaide SS Co's senior engineer, Mr Ritch, with a volunteer [[skeleton crew]] from Port Adelaide, surveyed the damage, and spent 12 months [[Marine salvage|salvaging]] her with what remained of her own equipment. A tug came from Sydney with emergency equipment, but ''Barossa'' reached Sydney under her own power, accompanied by the tug.<ref name=Tiser-1945-0824/><ref name=TT-1945-0831/>

[[File:Neptuna explosion 19 February 1942.jpg|thumb|{{MV|Neptuna||2}} exploding in [[Port Darwin|Darwin]], 19 February 1942]]
The reports published in August 1945 said that ''Barossa'' was bombed on an unspecified day in March 1942.<ref name=Tiser-1945-0824/><ref name=TT-1945-0831/> The reports do not specify the day, and the Japanese attacked Darwin on several days that month. However, reports published later in 1945, and the RAN report published in 1959 and 1962, all say that she was hit in the first Japanese air raid, which was on 19 February 1942.<ref name=RANN-1959-0904/><ref name=RANN-1962-0209/><ref>{{cite news |title=Sought Safety, Met Death |newspaper=The News |place=Adelaide |date=6 October 1945 |page=3 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/128316227}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sought Safety, Met Death |newspaper=[[Army News]] |place=Darwin |date=11 October 1945 |page=2 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47726402}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Attacks on Shipping |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |place=Perth, WA |date=2 November 1945 |page=11 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/44827925}}</ref> A report published in 1947 is goes into detail, saying that "The first three bombs to fall on Australian soil landed in the shallow water on the shore side of Barossa, quickly followed by three direct hits on the wharf, a direct hit on [[MV Neptuna|Neptuna]], a direct hit on Barossa, and a 'near miss' on [[HMAS Swan (U74)|Swan]]."<!-- Ship names not italicised, as this is a verbatim quotation as it appeared in a newspaper. --><ref>{{cite news |title=Darwin in Wartime |newspaper=The West Australian |place=Perth, WA |date=29 March 1947 |page=4 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/46273188}}</ref>

==1949 demarcation dispute==
[[File:StateLibQld 1 251352 Working deck of a cargo ship in port at Brisbane.jpg|thumb|upright|''Barossa'' handling cargo in [[Port of Brisbane|Brisbane]]; date unknown]]
On 19 November 1948, the [[Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration]] ruled by a majority vote that some types of work in ports could be done by workers who were not members of the [[Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia]] (WWFA).<ref name=CM-1949-0115>{{cite news |title=Pig iron may tie-up wharves |newspaper=The Courier-Mail |place=Brisbane |date=15 January 1949 |page=1 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/49927353}}</ref> In the second week of January 1949, ''Barossa'' reached Newstead Wharf in Brisbane carrying 980 tons of [[pig iron]] from Whyalla in the bottoms of her holds, with 2,056 tons of steel products from [[Port Kembla, New South Wales]] stowed on top.<ref>{{cite news |title=Steel Shipments |newspaper=[[The Telegraph (Brisbane)|The Telegraph]] |place=Brisbane |date=11 January 1949 |page=9 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/216544039}}</ref> Watersiders started unloading the steel products, and then on the evening of 13 January, they reached the pig iron in her Number 4 Hold. Employers wanted to use [[Dump truck|tipper trucks]] to take the pig iron from the ship to a dumping area inside the dock gates, as this would be the most efficient form of transport. But the drivers of the trucks were not WWFA members. They were said to be [[Transport Workers' Union of Australia]] members,<ref name=CM-1949-0114>{{cite news |title=Trouble on city wharves |newspaper=The Courier-Mail |place=Brisbane |date=14 January 1949 |page=1 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/49917615}}</ref> although on 17 January the TWUA denied this.<ref>{{cite news |title=£10m cargo faces tie-up |newspaper=The Courier-Mail |place=Brisbane |date=18 January 1949 |page=1 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/49935584}}</ref>

The use of drivers who were not WWFA members led to a [[demarcation dispute]].<ref name=CM-1949-0114/> When the first load of pig iron was hoisted from ''Barossa'' and lowered toward a truck waiting on the quayside, a gang of 15 watersiders refused to handle it. The Chairman of the Waterside Employment Committee, Mr Boyd, immediately dismissed the gang.<ref name=CM-1949-0114/> On 14 January, three more gangs of 15 men each refused the same instruction, and Boyd suspended them for 48 hours.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pig iron may tie-up wharves |newspaper=The Courier-Mail |place=Brisbane |date=15 January 1949 |page=1 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/49927353}}</ref> On 15 January, Boyd dismissed another gang of 15 men for refusing the instruction, but two other gangs continued to unload steel products from ''Barossa''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wharf dispite grows. More men suspended. |newspaper=The Telegraph |place=Brisbane |date=15 January 1949 |page=1 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/216543403}}</ref> On 16 January, a representative claimed that the dispute was a "[[Red Scare|Communist plan]]". The WWFA's Brisbane branch secretary, Ted Englart, said that his union would allow "non-registered labour" to drive trucks from the quayside direct to the foundry, but if the iron was dumped within the dock gates, it should be done by WWFA members. ''Barossa'' was scheduled to leave Brisbane on 18 January for Gladstone, but could not do so until her 980 tons of pig iron was discharged.<ref>{{cite news |title=Reds in wharf hold-up |newspaper=The Courier-Mail |place=Brisbane |date=17 January 1949 |page=5 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/49910079}}</ref>

On 17 January the Executive Committee of the WWFA's Brisbane branch gave the employers an ultimatum to stop using "unregistered labour" by 17:00 hrs on 18 January. Otherwise, on 19 January the branch would hold a [[mass meeting]], at which it would recommend that members vote for all 2,200 watersiders in the Port of Brisbane to go on strike. Also on 17 January, three more gangs of 15 men each were dismissed for refusing to unload pig iron from ''Barossa''. That raised to 105 the total number of men dismissed since 13 January.<ref>{{cite news |title=Threat by wharfies. General port strike. |newspaper=The Telegraph |place=Brisbane |date=17 January 1949 |page=1 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/216544757}}</ref> On the morning of 18 January, another four gangs of 15 men each were dismissed for refusing to unload ''Barossa''{{'}}s pig iron. This raised to 165 the total number of watersiders suspended, and left ''Barossa'' idle for the rest of the day. Later that day, the Waterside Employment Committee met for two hours to decide whether to authorise the mass meeting. Its two WWFA members were in favour, but its two representatives of the Association of Employers of Waterside Labour were against. The Chairman was Mr Boyd, who used his [[casting vote]] to deny permission for the mass meeting.<ref>{{cite news |title=Strike meeting is vetoed but wharfies will defy ruling |newspaper=The Telegraph |place=Brisbane |date=18 January 1949 |page=3 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/216544567}}</ref>

===Strike===
On the morning of 19 January the WWFA branch held its mass meeting at [[Lang Park|Brisbane Stadium]], in defiance of the Waterside Employment Committee. Watersiders unanimously voted to strike, with immediate effect, leaving 13 ships strike-bound in the port.<ref>{{cite news |title=2,200 wharfies strike. Port of Brisbane idle. |newspaper=The Telegraph |place=Brisbane |date=19 January 1949 |page=1 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/216545077}}</ref> On the same day, the Stevedoring Industry Commission met in Sydney to discuss the dispute.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vital moves on wharf stop to-day |newspaper=The Courier-Mail |place=Brisbane |date=19 January 1949 |page=1 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/49936329}}</ref> On 20 January, two ships left Brisbane with part of their cargo still aboard, as the strike prevented them from completing unloading. Employers considered using their power to withdraw three days' annual leave credits from the strikers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Decide to-day on wharf stop |newspaper=The Courier-Mail |place=Brisbane |date=21 January 1949 |page=1 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/49907871}}</ref> On 21 January the WWFA's Federal Executive met to consider the dispute. The Executive decided that the dispute should be referred to either the Stevedoring Industry Commission; the Federal Government; or both. The WWFA's Federal Secretary, [[Jim Healy (trade unionist)|Jim Healey]], said the Executive was willing to recommend an immediate return to work as long as the strikers' leave annual credits were not withdrawn.<ref>{{cite news |title=Deadlock in wharf stoppage |newspaper=The Courier-Mail |place=Brisbane |date=22 January 1949 |page=1 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/49935379}}</ref>

[[File:Jim Healy.jpg|thumb|[[Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia|Waterside Workers' Federation]] Federal Secretary [[Jim Healy (trade unionist)|Jim Healey]]]]
On 24 January, Healey flew to Brisbane to discuss the dispute,<ref>{{cite news |title=Wharf dispute near end |newspaper=The Courier-Mail |place=Brisbane |date=24 January 1949 |page=1 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/49925239}}</ref> and to address a mass meeting the next morning.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wharves have big cargo job ahead |newspaper=The Telegraph |place=Brisbane |date=24 January 1949 |page=8 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/216545750}}</ref> He told the mass meeting that Senator [[Bill Ashley (politician)|Bill Ashley]], the Federal [[Department of Shipping and Fuel|Minister of Shipping]], would call a conference of unions within 14 days to discuss amendments to the Stevedoring Industry Act; and that employers had agreed not to revoke strikers' annual leave credits. The mass meeting unanimously accepted a recommendation to return to work. The men resumed work at 13:00 hrs that day, 25 January.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wharfies on job again. Conference on issues. |newspaper=The Telegraph |place=Brisbane |date=25 January 1949 |page=1 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/216543189}}</ref>

''Barossa'' finally left Brisbane on 28 January. But the Port of Brisbane was 400 men short.<ref name=CM-1949-0128>{{cite news |title=Thousand men to clear cargo lag |newspaper=The Courier-Mail |place=Brisbane |date=28 January 1949 |page=3 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/49931952}}</ref> In order to clear the backlog of loading and unloading cargoes, 1,000 watersiders were paid [[overtime]] wage rates of double time on Saturday 29 January, and two and a half times standard rate on Sunday 30 January.<ref>{{cite news |title=Work week-end on ships |newspaper=The Telegraph |place=Brisbane |date=26 January 1949 |page=3 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/216542239}}</ref>

==1950 coal dispute==
In September 1950, ''Barossa'' brought a cargo of sugar from [[Cairns]] to [[Fremantle Harbour|Fremantle]]. She called at Newcastle for [[Bunkering|bunkers]], and reached [[Gage Roads]] on 25 September.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shipping |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |place=Perth, WA |date=26 September 1950 |page=18 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47888696}}</ref> Her firemen said the coal was of poor quality. They said that in the voyage from Newcastle to Fremantle, they had to work so hard firing her furnaces, that some of them had lost {{convert|1/2|st|kg|0}} in weight. She discharged her cargo in Fremantle, and on 10 October bunkered with 150 tons of Newcastle coal, ready to sail for [[Thevenard, South Australia]]. Her firemen said that the coal was as bad, or worse, than the coal she had taken on in Newcastle, so they refused to sail. Another ship required her berth in port, so on 11 October ''Barossa'' moved out and anchored in Gage Roads while the dispute continued.<ref>{{cite news |title=Firemen object to coal quality; ship held up |newspaper=The West Australian |place=Perth, WA |date=12 October 1950 |page=1 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47891642}}</ref> Her [[Chief engineer|Chief Engineer]], JW Robertson, agreed that the coal she took on in Newcastle was bad, and that the coal she had just taken on in Fremantle was equally bad.<ref>{{cite news |title=Deadlock over bunkers coal |newspaper=[[Daily News (Perth, Western Australia)|The Daily News]] |place=Perth, WA |date=12 October 1950 |page=3 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/82924440}}</ref> Firemen on five ships in other Australian ports made similar demands at about the same time.<ref>{{cite news |title=Objection to coal |newspaper=The West Australian |place=Perth, WA |date=13 October 1950 |page=3 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47891883}}</ref> Meetings between the Adelaide SS Co and Ron Hurd, Secretary of the Fremantle branch of the [[Seamen's Union of Australia]], failed to resolve the dispute.<ref>{{cite news |title=Held up for 11 days |newspaper=The West Australian |place=Perth, WA |date=21 October 1950 |page=7 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47893447}}</ref>

[[File:Hamilton Knight MLA.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Australian Industrial Relations Commission|Industrial relations commissioner]] [[Hamilton Knight]] ]]
On 23 October, [[Hamilton Knight]], a Commissioner of the [[Australian Industrial Relations Commission]], began a hearing into the dispute. He inspected ''Barossa'' in Gage Roads, and heard evidence in Perth. Chief Engineer Robertson told him that the quality of coal that shipowners had been receiving had been bad for about the last 18 months. Her new Master, Captain FJ Silva, claimed that the coal in her bunkers was "a fair average sample" of that supplied to shipowners, and he would be happy to put to sea with it. Ron Hurd also gave evidence, as did a representative of the Adelaide SS Co, GE Pryke.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hold-up of Barossa |newspaper=The West Australian |place=Perth, WA |date=24 October 1950 |page=9 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47893802}}</ref> Commissioner Knight brought the company and the union to an agreement. The Adelaide SS Co agreed to remove 90 of the 150 tons of coal from her bunkers, and to replace it with coal of better quality. Chief Engineer Robertson would, "at his discretion", get the firemen to work whatever overtime was needed to remove the ash from the grates of her furnaces.<ref>{{cite news |title=Freighter To Sail As It Gets New Coal |newspaper=The Daily News |place=Perth, WA |date=24 October 1950 |page=3 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/82926071}}</ref> Knight said that "there was great difficulty getting good steaming coal". Mr Pryke insisted that the agreement applied only to ''Barossa'', and set no precedent for other ships.<ref>{{cite news |title=Settlement of dispute |newspaper=The West Australian |place=Perth, WA |date=25 October 1950 |page=5 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47894005}}</ref> Ron Hurd claimed the agreement as "a 95 percent victory for the men".<ref>{{cite news |title=Win for Barossa |newspaper=Workers Star |place=Perth, WA |date=2 November 1950 |page=4 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/240652268}}</ref>

==1951 grounding==
[[File:VSIS Taiping.jpeg|thumb|[[Australian Oriental Line]]'s {{SS|Taiping|1925|2}}]]
On the evening of 29 May 1951, ''Barossa'' was trying enter Cairns harbour, when she grounded on a mudbank "between Nos. 2 and 3 beacons", about {{convert|3|mi|km|0}} offshore. Cairns' [[harbourmaster]], Captain HS Sullivan, was [[Maritime pilot|piloting]] her at the time. The tide refloated her at about 02:00 hrs the next morning, and she continued into port. She was undamaged, and a diver's inspection was deemed unnecessary.<ref>{{cite news |title=Freighter Barossa Aground |newspaper=[[The Cairns Post]] |place=Cairns, QLD |date=31 May 1951 |page=5 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/40373312}}</ref> This was the second such incident in three days, as on the evening of 26 May the liner {{SS|Taiping|1925|2}} had grounded for about five hours near the entrance to the channel to Cairns harbour.<ref>{{cite news |title=Barossa off mudbank |newspaper=[[Townsville Bulletin|Townsville Daily Bulletin]] |place=Townsville, QLD |date=31 May 1951 |page=2 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/63143031}}</ref>

==1951 and 1952 coal disputes==
On 10 December 1951, ''Barossa'' completed loading a cargo of pig iron in Whyalla, but failed to sail because her firemen again complained about the quality of her coal.<ref name=Tiser-1951-1220>{{cite news |title=Delayed Ship Sails |newspaper=The Advertiser |place=Adelaide |date=20 December 1951 |page=4 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/45793850}}</ref> GE Pryke, for her owners, and a J Buchanan, for the Seamen's Union, went to Whyalla to investigate.<ref>{{cite news |title=To Investigate Bunker Coal Dispute |newspaper=The Advertiser |place=Adelaide |date=12 December 1951 |page=4 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/45772968}}</ref> The dispute was settled on 12 December, but the ship was also short-handed, so she still could not sail.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bunker Coal Dispute Settled |newspaper=The Advertiser |place=Adelaide |date=13 December 1951 |page=15 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/45779303}}</ref> She sailed for Sydney 18 December, once Captain Silva had signed on enough firemen.<ref name=Tiser-1951-1220/>

[[File:George McLeay 1949 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Shipping and Transport Minister [[George McLeay]] ]]
In September 1952, ''Barossa'' loaded 4,384 tons of coal in Newcastle to take supply [[South Australian Railways]] at [[Port Augusta]].<ref name=NMH-1952-1017>{{cite news |title=Collier's coal 'may heat up' |newspaper=[[Newcastle Herald|Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate]] |place=Newcastle, NSW |date=17 October 1952 |page=3 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/133561748}}</ref> She was ready to sail on 13 September, but was delayed by being five men short.<ref>{{cite news |title=Two Ships Short Of Crews |newspaper=Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate |place=Newcastle, NSW |date=18 September 1952 |page=2 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/133559461}}</ref> Her crew also claimed that the coal in ''Barossa''{{'}}s bunkers was inferior, and demanded it be replaced, although the Joint Coal Board declared that it was of "above average quality". By 17 October a commissioner from the Industrial Relations Commission three times found the dispute unjustified; and the Seamen's Union's President, Reg Franklin, and the Secretary of its Sydney branch, a Mr Smith, had reached an agreement with the Adelaide SS Co. However, seamen still refused to crew the ship, despite there being about 60 of them in Newcastle who were seeking work.<ref name=NMH-1952-1017/> Commissioner Knight said the coal was "satisfactory", and the Shipping and Transport Minister, [[George McLeay]], said the delay "is part of the Communist tactics".<ref>{{cite news |title=Complaint On Coal Keeps Barossa Idle |newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald |date=23 October 1952 |page=7 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18287402}}</ref> On 21 and 22 October, seamen started to offer to fill her vacancies.<ref>{{cite news |title=Collier To Sail After 6 Weeks |newspaper=Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate |place=Newcastle, NSW |date=23 October 1952 |page=4 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/133572673}}</ref> Men were brought from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney to complete her crew.<ref>{{cite news |title=One Man Needed |newspaper=Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate |place=Newcastle, NSW |date=24 October 1952 |page=3 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/133564814}}</ref> On 24 October, ''Barossa'' finally signed on enough men to work her, and left Newcastle for Port Augusta.<ref>{{cite news |title=Barossa Leaves Newcastle |newspaper=Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate |place=Newcastle, NSW |date=25 October 1952 |page=4 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/133565929}}</ref>

==1956 grounding==
[[File:Poul Carl.tif|thumb|Danish [[motor ship]] ''Poul Carl'']]
On 15 April 1956, ''Barossa'' and another cargo ship grounded off a mangrove island in [[Hinchinbrook Channel]], Queensland. High tide refloated both ships at about 13:00 hrs, and neither ship was damaged. The other ship was the Danish ''Poul Carl'', which [[Howard Smith Limited|Howard Smith Ltd]] was [[Ship management|managing]] at the time.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ships refloated |newspaper=[[The Central Queensland Herald]] |place=Rockhampton, QLD |date=16 April 1956 |page=3 |via=Trove |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/79262852}}</ref>

==''Cronulla''==
Between 1957 and 1961, the Adelaide SS Co disposed of ''Barossa''{{'}}s sister ships. ''Bungaree'' was sold in 1957; ''Bundaleer'' in 1960; and ''Beltana'' in 1961.<ref name=SBS-Bungaree/><ref name=SBS-Beltana/><ref name=SBS-Bundaleer/> McIlwraith, McEacharn & Co sold her sister ship ''Kooringa'' in 1959,<ref name=SBS-Kooringa/> but then bought ''Barwon'' from Huddart Parker in 1961.<ref name=Barwon/> In 1964, the Adelaide SS Co and McIlwraith, McEacharn merged their interstate shipping fleets into Associated Steamships Pty Ltd. ''Barossa'' was renamed ''Cronulla'', after [[Cronulla, New South Wales]]. But later that year, she followed her sisters by being sold.<ref name=SBS-Barossa/>

The buyer was Cronulla Shipping Co Ltd, who registered ''Cronulla'' in Hong Kong. Her managers were John Manners & Co, Ltd. In 1965 the San Jerome Steamship Co Ltd bought her, but John Manners & Co remained her managers. In 1969 the {{lang|es|Compañía Nueva del Oriente|italic=no}} bought her, and an I Wang became her manager. But that same year, a typhoon damaged her, and her insurers declared her a total loss. On 28 September 1969 she arrived in Hong Kong for Mollers Ltd to scrap her.<ref name=SBS-Barossa/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |year=1939 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 Tons |place=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]] of Shipping |via=[[Southampton City Council]] |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1939}} |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/39/39b0097.pdf}}
*{{cite book |year=1939 |title=Mercantile Navy List |place=London |publisher=Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen |via=Crew List Index Project |ref={{harvid|''Mercantile Navy List'' 1939}} |url= https://www.crewlist.org.uk/data/viewimages?name=Barossa&year=1939&submit=Enter}}
*{{cite book |year=1957 |title=Register Book |volume=Register of Ships |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=[[Internet Archive]] |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1957}} |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1958/page/n187/mode/1up}}

{{February 1942 shipwrecks}}
{{1951 shipwrecks}}
{{1956 shipwrecks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Barossa}}

[[Category:1938 ships]]
[[Category:1940s in Brisbane]]
[[Category:1942 fires]]
[[Category:1949 labor disputes and strikes]]
[[Category:1950 labor disputes and strikes]]
[[Category:1951 labor disputes and strikes]]
[[Category:1952 labor disputes and strikes]]
[[Category:Adelaide Steamship Company]]
[[Category:Bulk carriers]]
[[Category:Cargo ships of Australia]]
[[Category:Cargo ships of Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Cargo ships of Panama]]
[[Category:Labour disputes in Australia]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1951]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1956]]
[[Category:Merchant ships sunk by aircraft]]
[[Category:Ship fires]]
[[Category:Ships built in Dundee]]
[[Category:Ships sunk in the bombing of Darwin, 1942]]
[[Category:Steamships of Australia]]
[[Category:World War II merchant ships of Australia]]