[mcwee]

Hi Trotterdotpom, If you have a look over on Shisppotting.com and search for Peace Star, you'll see some nice photographs of the Howard Smith in 2010 at Ko Sichang, thailand. She has lost #1 crane but still is recognisable, 30 yrs old now cant be around for too much longer. I started with smiths as a deck cadet Jan 1990. I ddint sail on the Howard Smith but saw her in Newcastle when she was being sold to ICL. Another ship that sailed with the Smiths funnel around that time was the Express, the self discharging bulker, a larger version of the Wallarah.

 

[mcwee]

Hi John, Yes the Wallarah was the last of the colliers, she was built for the Catherine Hill Bay- Newcastle run 17nm, the sydney-newcastle ships from the early years were called 60milers. i'm not 100% sure but i think thats how it went. The last true 60milers would have been the Camira and Conara.
The Wallarah was a handsome little ship. It would have been 1986 when you saw her on her maiden arival at Newcastle, she was built in Ube, Japan.
rgds Craig