Ena, the Edwardian steamship, listed for auction
Ena, the finest steam yacht in Australia, has been listed for sale. It is marketed as one of only three remaining in the world.
It was built in 1901 by Watty Ford for Sir Thomas Dibbs, commodore of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron. Its name is taken from Dibbs’ wife Tryphena.
It was designed by Walter Reeks.
Reeks also designed his own house Twynham in Mosman in the late 1880s, and died there aged 64 in 1925.
Shortly after its launch, it undertook war service as HMAS Sleuthin in World War I in the Torres Strait.
Ena had sank in the waters near Hobart in 1981 after hitting a submerged object. She was then salvaged and bought back to Sydney where it is believed $4 million was spent on her purchase and re-fitting.
After its mid-1980s restoration to her former Edwardian glory, notoriety followed the ship during its ownership by miner Pat Burke and his former chums Rene Rivkin and David Baffsky.
The yacht was moored in Sydney for 25 years but it now calls Melbourne home with owner Warwick Turner saying “steam is something that just gets in your blood”.
The steam yacht Ena once circumnavigated Australia, spending some time in Perth for the America's Cup.
The yacht incorporates timbers from HMS Nelson, launched in Britain in 1814.
Its designer, Walter Reeks was responsible for other icons of Sydney Harbour including the steam yacht, Boomerang.
The 29 metre steam yacht has been listed by Paul Sumner at Mossgreen.
It was listed as an item of movable cultural heritage, which would require an export licence. The auction will take place at Mossgreen on 19 May.
"We are keen to find a buyer in Australia anyway," says Paul Sumner who is quoting $1.2 million plus.
