Valdura was built in 1912 by Thomas Hill in Perth[1][2][3] for the Swan River Ferry Company[4] founded by the Scandinavian immigrants Herman[5] "Harry" Sutton and Jack Olsen for use on the Swan River,[4] it was constructed with a jarrah frame, karri planking, and likely propelled at this time by a Union 15 horsepower (11 kW) 2-cylinder engine, as this was the engine installed on sister-ship Valkyrie, with a total capacity of 76 passengers.[1][3] In the 1916 timetable Valdura operated a regular service with sister-ship Valdemar from South Perth to Coode Street Jetty,[6] with men charged 21 shillings, equivalent to A$119.74 in 2022, each quarter, and women charged 12 shillings and sixpence, A$71.84 in 2022, per quarter.[6] The company changed hands in 1935 with the fleet sold to Nat Lappin with ferry services continuing as well as for-hire services[1] operated by the Royal Ophir Pleasure Boat Company.[3][7]
It was appropriated for use as a troopship in the Middle East during World War II, along with one other Val-boat.[3][1]
After the war, Lappin sold the fleet in 1949 due to increasing competition from public transport, with Valdura being part of four Val-boats sold to the Fremantle Harbour Trust in 1953 for use to transport workers around Fremantle Harbour between North and South wharves.[1] After the sale it was renamed Penguin and underwent a year-long overhaul with new superstructure, wheelhouse, and a 19-horsepower (14 kW) Gardner engine installed.[1] In 1967 it was replaced by a purpose-built vessel and was sold to a private owner.[1]
Valdura was used as a houseboat before being abandoned in the Swan River, becoming a danger to navigation, the Swan River Trust donating the stricken ship to the WA Maritime Museum in 1993,[1] it's restoration was complete by 2001,[8] and Valdura is now displayed in the main maritime museum building at Elizabeth Quay.[4] Valdura Place in the Perth central business district is named after the ferry.[2][7]
Australia