S.S. Koopa

Koopa, the aboriginal word for Flying Fish, was built in Leith in Scotland for the Brisbane Tug and Steamship Company, launched in October 1911 and arrived in Brisbane on Christmas Eve. She was 58.7m long and 8.5m wide and licensed to carry 1153 passengers with a dining saloon for 100.

For 31 years the Koopa carried holidaymakers between Brisbane, Redcliffe and Bribie Island.

Flags fly from the rigging of the crowded SS Koopa, possibly on her maiden cruise on Moreton Bay

1917 Koopa postcard

New years day - Brisbane Courier Thursday 1 January 1920, Page 4

Steamer Struck by Lightning

While travelling across Moreton Bay yesterday morning the Brisbane Tug Co 's excursion steamer Koopa ran into a heavy thunderstorm The mainmast was struck by lightning and the pulley block snapped off. There was no other damage, and the vessel continued her trips to schedule, carrying large numbers of holiday-makers to Redcliffe and back. Officials of the companv pointed out yesterday that the Koopa, being constructed of steel, and carrying extensive electric lighting wires was perfectly safe so far as lightning was concerned.

Article image from the National Library of Australia's Newspaper Digitisation Program

1922 Redcliffe Jetty:

In 1942, she was requisitioned by the Navy as a supply ship in New Guinea and didn’t return to her holiday trade in Brisbane until February 1947.

Koopa approaching the Redcliffe Jetty in 1952:

She was decommissioned in 1953 and then in October 1960, was towed into Boggy Creek and dismantled with a rusting hulk the only reminder of her existence.

The remains of the Koopa are at the end of Gannon Rd Pinkenba:

Photos from our Pictorial History of Redcliffe Book 1824-1949 - available to purchase at the following link: https://www.redcliffebook.com/product-page/the-pictorial-history-of-redcliffe

A display of the Koopa at the Redcliffe museum: