The Boat Restorer

Restoring a steamship takes many skills. In this story we meet some of the people involved in restoring the John Oxley. Carpentry, boilermaking, sheet metal work and pattern making are just some of the skills needed.

While most of the restoration work is done by volunteers, the Sydney Heritage Fleet also employs a full time boiler maker, Onsie Ratu, and an apprentice boiler maker.

Many of these skills, such as hot riveting, are a dying art. While restoration work is a slow process, those involved see the importance of preserving the past for future generations.