The ferry is technically and historically of regional significance and is of social significance locally.
Its significance lies in its rarity as a ferry crossing of the Murray and in its rarity with regard to its method of operation.
This bridge has been assessed as being of Local significance.
Date Significance Updated
21 May 1998
Description
Designer
****
Builder
****
Construction years
**** - 1946
Physical description
Ferry-Vessel No. 81, the Wymah Ferry at Wymah, was built in 1946 and is mainly timber in construction. The hull is 10.7m long and 5.1m wide width. 4.95m long flaps at each end. (The engine house cantilevers have approximately 1.1m out to the side.)
The hull is made up of timber planking fixed to 7 timber frames that run along the length of the vessel. The timber decking has a 50mm camber running from the middle to the fore and to the aft. The base and sides are fleated with galvanised iron over bituminous felt.
The ferry operates between floating landing stages which are attached to each bank. The position of the landing stages is adjusted by hand winch to suit the level of flow of the river. The landing stage construction is similar to that of the ferry. The ferry appears to have been modified to suit docking with the landing stages.
The Wymah Ferry vessel sank in February 2003 at Lake Hume. The vessel is set to re-enter the water July 2003 after the installation of a new engine.
The Strategy for Border Bridge Maintenance suggests that a major overhaul is required in 1998 and that the closure and sale of the ferry should be considered.
Modifications and dates
N/A
Date condition updated
17 November 2003
History
Historical notes
After decades of inter-state debate over the implications of diverting the waters of the Murray-Darling systems for irrigation, the River Murray Waters Agreement was ratified in 1915 by the parliaments of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Commonwealth. The agreement, implemented by the River Murray Commission, had as one of its cornerstones the damming of the upper Murray upstream from Albury and Wodonga. When completed in 1936 the Hume Dam was the largest water storage in Australia and Lake Hume which formed behind it backed up water in the Murray Valley for some 90 kilometres.
Near the head of the completed Lake Hume lay the village of Wymah. Wymah had developed in the mind-nineteenth century as a service centre for the sheep and cattle stations which were the successors of the original Wagra and Bungil runs of the 1830s and for the agriculture which was pursued in more favoured spots. The district was populous enough to warrant a public school at Wymah from 1873 onwards until 1985 with a gap between 1946 and 1952. There was a ferry across the Murray to link Wymah with Granya in Victoria, probably from the nineteenth century. In 1945 Lake Hume was exceptionally low and the exposed pastures dried up in the long hot summer. The Murray virtually ceased to flow and the old Wymah ferry was grounded. A new ferry boat was designed and approved in May 1945 and successfully launched in 1946 after the river and the dam had recovered. This is the ferry which is still operating.
Listings
Heritage Listing
Reference Number
Gazette Number
Gazette Page
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register
Assessment of Significance
Historical Significance
The ferry is significant since there has probably been a ferry on this site since the nineteenth century linking Wymah with Granya. It is rare being one of only two surviving ferries across the Murray. It is also associated with the damming of the Murray to form Lake Hume whereby the range of operation of the ferry (ie, distance across the river) had to be extended. It demonstrates a continuity of development to suit historical changes in the river, namely the damming of the river.
Aesthetic Significance
The ferry does not have any particular aesthetic value although it does have minor local landmark qualities
Social Significance
As a by-product of their own inefficiency as vehicle carrier ferries have special community recognition.
At most times it is necessary to wait, or in peak times, to queue to cross. This process involves considerable social interaction between passengers and between passengers and the ferry operator.
Crossing a body of water by boat attracts interest and ferries become local social landmarks where people congregate just to watch the goings on.
Unlike bridges, ferries have a social face, being the operators (a role akin to that of a lighthouse keeper). The ferry becomes the operator's home during his working shift and the operator is a member of the local community.
The social significance only remains when the ferry is in operation. When not in operation the ferry becomes a historical artefact.
Heritage and conservation register
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