Charles Rosman (left) and his brother James
The name Rosman has been associated with ferries on Sydney Harbour for over 100 years.
Before the Harbour Bridge was built, Charles Rosman, like his father before him, earned a living ferrying people across the harbour from Milsons Point on the north side to Dawes Point on the south side. Charles was known as a Water Man. During the Harbour Bridge construction he ferried workers from Balmain to the construction site. He further expanded the business to include a route between Balmain and Garden Island transporting dockyard workers. Charles died in 2008, at the age of 106.
During the late 1970s Peter Bracken was introduced to Charles by the naval architect Warwick Hood, who earlier was the supervising architect on the NSW Water Police flagship the Norman T Allan; a 60 foot search and rescue vessel.
Peter then built a 300 passenger ferry named the Royale for Rosman. Peter says “Trust on both sides was paramount. Charles was of the old school and our business dealings were all done on a handshake. He was one of the world’s true gentlemen. That ferry today would cost in the vicinity of $2 million”.
Peter later built another ferry for him named Regal; licenced to carry 200 passengers. These two vessels are still an active part of the Rosman fleet.
Slideshow of Peter Bracken’s team constructing ferries.
