Unlike some of its sister ships, it had a relatively uneventful life - shortly after going into service in 1912, it tangled with the collier Five Islands and caught itself in that ship's anchor chain.
No damage was done.
In 1927, it collided with Sydney Ferries Limited's Kanimbla at Bennelong Point.
Balgowlah received minor damage, while Kanimbla had a large gash torn in one side and came close to sinking.
In 1929, it collided with the collier Birchrove Park, only minimal damage was done to both ships.

It scraped into the Sydney Ferries Limited's Kangaroo in 1913.
Also in 1927, it collided with the Union Steamship Company's Manuka, losing around 10 feet (3.0 m) of its sponson.
In 1939, it overshot the wharf at Circular Quay and went aground in soft mud.
Although it ripped through the buffer stop, no damage was done.
It took two tugs to pull it free.

The exorbitant cost and difficulty in replacing the large expensive steel hulled Binngarra-type vessels saw the Balgowlah, along with the Bellubera, Barrenjoey, and Baragoola retained and significantly modified.
In the 1920s, all four had officers' cabins attached to their wheelhouses.
Beginning with Barrenjoey in 1930, and then in 1931-32 Balgowlah, Baragoola, and Bellubera over 1931-32, had their open upper passenger decks enclosed.

In 1946, it was decided that Balgowlah and Barrenjoey would be converted to diesel power.
Barrenjoey was first, and re-emerged in 1951 as North Head.
However, Balgowlah was never converted, the cost of converting North Head had left the company in grave financial circumstances and it could not afford the cost of reconditioning the hull.
The engines purchased for the conversion were later placed in the Baragoola.
It made its last trip on the 08:05 to Manly on 27 February 1951 and was then laid up.
Unlike some of its sister ships, it had a relatively uneventful life - shortly after going into service in 1912, it tangled with the collier Five Islands and caught itself in that ship's anchor chain. No damage was done. In 1927, it collided with Sydney Ferries Limited's Kanimbla at Bennelong Point. Balgowlah received minor damage, while Kanimbla had a large gash torn in one side and came close to sinking. In 1929, it collided with the collier Birchrove Park, only minimal damage was done to both ships.
It scraped into the Sydney Ferries Limited's Kangaroo in 1913. Also in 1927, it collided with the Union Steamship Company's Manuka, losing around 10 feet (3.0 m) of its sponson. In 1939, it overshot the wharf at Circular Quay and went aground in soft mud. Although it ripped through the buffer stop, no damage was done. It took two tugs to pull it free.
The exorbitant cost and difficulty in replacing the large expensive steel hulled Binngarra-type vessels saw the Balgowlah, along with the Bellubera, Barrenjoey, and Baragoola retained and significantly modified. In the 1920s, all four had officers' cabins attached to their wheelhouses. Beginning with Barrenjoey in 1930, and then in 1931-32 Balgowlah, Baragoola, and Bellubera over 1931-32, had their open upper passenger decks enclosed.
In 1946, it was decided that Balgowlah and Barrenjoey would be converted to diesel power. Barrenjoey was first, and re-emerged in 1951 as North Head. However, Balgowlah was never converted, the cost of converting North Head had left the company in grave financial circumstances and it could not afford the cost of reconditioning the hull. The engines purchased for the conversion were later placed in the Baragoola. It made its last trip on the 08:05 to Manly on 27 February 1951 and was then laid up.
SS Balgowlah