the ship that has become a floating forest

SS Ayrfield survived WWII, but could do nothing to defeat nature.

110 years ago, when the ship was built, no one imagined that this imposing ship designed for the service of economic activities could end up being a floating forest and highlight the landscape of Homebush Bay, Sidney, Australia.

It was built in 1911 in the UK and was originally called SS Corriman. It weighed 1140 tons and was registered in Australia in 1912 for the transport of supplies and passengers between regions.

It was then used to transport supplies to US troops stationed in the Pacific region during World War II. After the war he became a coal hauler between Newcastle and the Miller Terminal at Blackwattle Bay.

Eternal shipwreck

In 1972, when 61 years had passed since its inception, it was decided to withdraw it from circulation and it was sent to Homebush Bay, a shipyard where the boats were taken out of the water, dismantled of all things of value and later melted down and reused.

At that point, the operation ceased to be profitable as the value of the scrap metal fell and the demolition companies went bankrupt. No one took charge of the boat and he was there floating with others three ships, in an eternal shipwreck.

Over time, part of the SS Ayrfield sank and was completely rusted, recalling the industrial past of Homebush Bay, now converted into a commercial and residential district after being refurbished for the 2000 olympic games.

The bay was also modernized the last time around and significant efforts have been made to reduce the amount of waste and chemicals in the area. Indeed, the place only became accessible to the public in 2003 and the boat was rediscovered during this recovery work.

Far from being a nuisance in the eyes of new construction, the SS Ayrfield has become one of the major attractions of the region and has earned the name of floating forest among the locals.

Hundreds of mangroves crossed the boat and grew on all sides offering a unique view. The trees took over the structure and tinted the landscape green, making these rusty remains a great spectacle.

This steel giant remained abandoned for years alongside the SS Heroic, SS Mortlake Coalman, and HMAS Karangi, who survived the Darwin bombing in WWII before meeting Sydney, and the SS Mortlake Bank.

However, in none of these other ships did nature act like the SS Ayrfield.

Despite the many projects that have been carried out to leave behind the years of heavy industry which damaged the water so much, there is no intention to retire the ships.

They will continue to be – if nature permits – to remember what the shipyard once was and to attract history buffs, lovers of beautiful landscapes and alternative points.