our maritime history & present day news. No. 3 Autumn 2003. cost: gold coin donation
The Mariners’ Church c1910. Tasmaniana Library, State Library of Tasmania
in this issue
The Tasmanian Viking: Jorgen Jorgenson White House Ferries Cooking with Lucky Pierre Wooden Boat Festival Report The Bob Jane Award Modellers Exhibition Report Maria Island Challenge Race Errol Flynn Society School’s In Letters to the editor, quiz and more Ubique at the Wooden Boat Festival Maritime Museum of Tasmania
CARNEGIE BUILDING Cnr Davey & Argyle Sts. Hobart, Tasmania
Postal Address: GPO Box 1118, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, AUSTRALIA Phone: (03) 6234 1427 Fax: (03) 6234 1419 email: [email protected] www.maritimetas.org
Open Daily (except for Good Friday & Christmas Day) 9am - 5pm
Editor: Bob Petrass Phone 6225 1004
Design & production:
Ricoh Studio Phone 6223 4311 [email protected]
Museum photography: Ricoh Studio Huia Historic perspective view by CF Beautemps-Beaupre of South-eastern Tasmania looking west from 1000m above Tasman Peninsula. From D’Entrecasteaux Atlas (courtesy Philip Fowler) editorial
Many thanks to all those readers who took the trouble to compliment us on the Summer Edition of our newsletter. They included messages from Victoria, New South Wales and Maatsuyker Island. We will do our best to maintain this high standard in future publications sad loss of respected and have no doubt we can do so if our members continue to be involved by providing us members with such varied and interesting articles and photographs. It is with deep regret that we Last issue we told you of our AIMS and NEEDS and are delighted to report our needs are record the passing of two of our diminishing with: most respected members, Ted Davis and Terry Gillies. 1. Further advertisers coming to the party and recognising the value of our publication and sponsorship (welcome aboard K&D Warehouse and our newest sponsor Richard Both men gave great service Fader – Tasmanian Shipping Supplies). as volunteers, our sincerest sympathies go to their families. 2. Members continuing to provide items of interest, …. but we need more. There are sure to be others still “thinking about it” so act now as new blood is always welcome. May they rest in peace. (Just ask any vampire).
3. Most pleasing of all was the offer from members Larissa Deck and Charles and Helen Scarafiotti to assist Fran Hall with the typing of articles for publication.
Finally, congratulations to Neville Payne on organising a most enjoyable after work function for volunteers in the Carnegie building on 4th April. It was particularly pleasing to see our president Joe Cannon up and about after his recent operations. A good time was had by all, nobody listing to port or starboard as they left the building. At least not as far as I could tell …..
Bob Petrass (editor) president’s message
Please remember to book in at the Museum by phone, mail, email or in person, on or before Wednesday 18th June for the Annual Dinner, to be held on Wednesday 2nd July at 7pm for 7.30 pm at the Derwent Sailing Squadron Clubhouse. It will be a very pleasant evening, with BOB JANE AWARD noted Marine Artist, Bill Mearns as after-dinner speaker. A three-course meal with choices for each course, plus a complimentary pre-dinner drink is economically priced at $40. Last issue we did a feature item Members are asked to organise a four-couple table booking if possible, non-member friends on our splendid Gift Shop. Our 4 are welcome (particularly if it may encourage them to later join as Members). Of course year old model Benjamin “Little individual bookings are also very welcome. Buddha” Denduang did a great job promoting it and won the Over 50,000 of the statewide Maritime Tourism Trail Brochures have been printed and hearts of many readers, however distributed. This was attained with the generous help and advice of our previous Chairman, he didn’t win the award for his Malcolm Wells and his secretary, Dorothy Langdon. It is an attractive brochure and we are mini BMW. This went to the man confident of it being very effective. responsible for his unTYREing volunteer work in running the City Council approval has been received for the installation of the stainless steel sink in the shop, ROLPH OMANT. volunteer’s lounge. This will be installed without further delay. Council have also approved the placing of the Whistler anchor outside the Museum building, facing Argyle Street, and its Rolph’s contribution to the early removal from the grounds at Secheron House has been arranged. museum is outstanding and we congratulate him as a very worthy The returns from members strongly favoured the TMAG option in seeking professional winner of this award. administrative help. Bill Bleathman, who is Director of the TMAG and Government nominee on our Management Committee is presenting this proposal to the Premier’s Department.
Joe Cannon
about the front cover
THE MARINERS’ CHURCH: 1863 - 2003
Our photograph shows the old Mariners’ Church, since rebuilt as St Peter’s, Sandy Bay, on its original site, now occupied by the Hobart Ports Corporation (former Marine Board) building. The church celebrates its 140th anniversary this year.
Alongside the church and fronting on Franklin wharf is an old Customs building, with Customs sheds behind. By this date, Federation had taken over the former state customs service. The handsome Franklin Wharf “island” building, still standing, housed the Marine Board offices, the offices of the Union Steamship Company and the offices of Burgess Bros, merchants.
On the corner of Morrison and Argyle Streets is the former Howards Hotel, a substantial hostelry capable of accommodating passengers from the vigorous inter-state steamship trade.
Horses and carts can be seen on the wharf, and in the immediate vicinity of the vessel berthed at the pier, two buildings artistically designed as urinals. Readers will spot other items of historic interest.
Audrey Hudspeth phone calls to the editor new members
Somebody gave me a copy of your Maritime Times Summer Edition. I enjoyed reading it so We welcome the following new much I couldn’t put it down, until I had read it all. Loved the photos too. Could you please members to our association: put me on your subscribers list for future copies and send me previous ones. Patricia Kuffer (Patterson Lakes Vic.) Larissa Deck Doone Kennedy Great magazine, top pics, even the advertisements were interesting. Keep up Allister Martin the good work. Bill Foster Laurie Bahr ( Sandy Bay) Geoff Lilley Colin Rose Will Hallinan Congratulations on the excellent newsletter. Peter Malone Scott Dunn (Tasmanian Water Police) A. L. Scobie John Spooner The newsletter is great and I just loved the Little Boy on the cover. My friends Alan Whittaker loved it too. Margaret Morgan (South Frankston Vic) We encourage all members to give their friends a read of our Please send me another copy of your summer newsletter. I forwarded the newsletter and hope they will copy I had to a friend overseas. Also could I have a copy of the next edition accept our invitation to join us as as I still have a few months to go here at the lighthouse. new members in the near future. Wendt Jelinek (Maatsuyker Island) Also we look forward to meeting our new members and their No problems Wendy, but I expect a story from you in return. Ed. friends at our annual dinner on Wednesday 2nd July.
did you know?
When a giraffe is born it falls Recently 2 rare creatures were found dead on Carlton Beach, south-east of Hobart. The from a height of six feet. 150kg sub-adult male and female pygmy sperm whales were seen rolling in the surf but were dead by the time Parks and Wildlife staff arrived at the scene. DNA samples were In England, the speaker of the taken for an international bank to contribute to global understanding of these little known house is not permitted to speak. denizens of the deep. They have been known to frequent Tasmanian waters only 3 times in the past 100 years. By licking a stamp, you consume one tenth of a calorie. A team of scientists left Hobart recently aboard the French ship “Marion Dufresne” on a $1 million federally-funded voyage. They intend to chart the seabed from the west coast of Tasmania to Fremantle W.A. One area of particular interest is the largely unexplored deep- sea Murray canyon system, about 60km south of Kangaroo Island. What weird and wonderful secrets will Australia’s own “Grand Canyon” yield??
Did you know that Italian navigator, 50 year old Amerigo Vespucci, explored the coast of Venezuela and his name AMERIGO was given to the two continents through the erroneous belief that he had discovered the mainland the year before Christopher Columbas. If not for this error would America now be known as CHRISTOPHERA??
Footnote:- The sailing ship “Amerigo Vespucci” was launched in Italy in 1931. It is currently on an 18 month world tour as the Italian Navy’s sail training ship with a crew consisting of 19 officers,73 petty officers and 218 sailors. After attending the America’s Cup in New Zealand, they visited Melbourne and are due home in Italy on October18.
When they sail around the world on this ship ..is that AMERIGOROUND (Ed.) LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Sir
Just a few words with a breeze from my Danish Maritime World. I visited Hobart on my own for three days in January where I had walked around Sullivans Cove and the docks. On my last day I brought myself to visit your Museum. During 42 years my husband took me to many other Museums related to the Maritime World, (during 33 years my husband worked for the Bureau Veritas). He would have loved the atmosphere in Hobart.
I was treated very kindly – maybe your custodian was a bit uncertain about that single, elderly lady just up to closing time? Before leaving he gave me a card with information of your Wooden Boat Festival 2003 and I told him that where I lived we have likely great BUY. SWAP. SELL traditions. Yours Dagny Talbo Kystvej 23, Vineby DK-5700 Svendborg DOUG GLISSON has access to model boat plans and kits. Anyone interested in same can contact Doug on 0411 031967. Dear Bob
Congratulations on the new format of the museum’s magazine. I would like to pass on wanted to buy a comment. I am an interstate member purely to support the work of the museum. I sail to Hobart each Sydney to Hobart race. This year when I went to visit the museum I was SECOND HAND METAL LATHE charged admission. I don’t believe this is in the best interests of encouraging membership. Phone Laurel Benson on 6247 As an interstate member, for my fee I would expect to be welcomed with a free walk through 1840, or advise John Wedd. which can only help me to promote membership to my colleagues simply on the basis that we are trying to encourage the maritime heritage of Tasmania as it intrinsically linked to our FLAGS FLAGS FLAGS sport. The Devonport Maritime Museum would like to buy international Please keep up this great and important work. naval and merchant shipping flags.
Please contact them on 6264 7100. Kind regards Lindsay May
Our reply: Bob Petrass asked me to contact you on behalf of the Museum re your letter of the 7th March and to thank you sincerely for the information you gave us on ways to save on postage of our publication, “Maritime Times of Tasmania”. Our mailout is in excess of 300 newsletters every quarter, so the savings should be considerable and we appreciate your input and suggestions. On the other matter, that you were charged admission to the Museum on your last visit to Hobart, we feel very embarrassed that this happened as all members, whether local, interstate or overseas have free admission plus other benefits of membership.
We hope to see you again next year if you are racing to Hobart or visiting and extend to you and any of your friends or family, free entry to the museum. The volunteers at the reception counter should be aware of members privileges, so please remind them if there are any queries at the time or alternatively refer them to myself.
Again many thanks for the help you have given and we hope to see you again in the not too distant future.
Best wishes
John Wedd, Hon Secretary The Oyster Cove Marina Chandlery & Brokerage
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“Because of the introduction of family tickets and three day passes for this festival it is difficult to make direct comparisons with attendances at previous festivals but we know we had around 30,000 people through the gates and that is a wonderful result,” Ben Marris says. “We hope to begin planning soon for the 2005 event.”
Festival director Brian Downes paid a special tribute to boat owners, sponsors and volunteers. “Without the strong support of boat owners and sponsors we wouldn’t have a festival,” he said. “The support of the Tasmanian government through Events Tasmania and Ebanc Trade was wonderful.”
The South Australian Brigitine, One and All “We also had over 200 volunteers working very hard to ensure everything went smoothly. The volunteers were great and we deserve special thanks for their important contribution.” The fifth Australian Wooden Boat Festival on Hobart’s historic waterfront was a huge success. Festival organisers say it built Brian Downes says the feed back about the festival has been very on the success of the 2001 event to be a great celebration of positive with a great response from boat owners, vendors, sponsors, Tasmania’s rich maritime heritage and a showcase for some of volunteers and the public. “We are delighted with the feedback but the nation’s most beautiful boats. we don’t want to rest on our laurels,” he says. “We will be conducting a debriefing early in March and will have a better idea then about where we go from here.” Festival committee chairman Ben Marris says the fleet of boats on and in the dock was an awe inspiring sight. “From the moment the “One thing that is clear is that Tasmania’s rich maritime heritage boats began to arrive on Friday afternoon the dock was buzzing is very attractive to interstate and international tourists and events with excitement that lasted right through the weekend,” he says. such as the festival can be a focus for that interest.”
“The tall ships One and All and Lady Nelson and the beautifully restored ketches Wraith of Odin and Premier under full sail leading a fleet of boats up the river from the John Garrow light was a sight not to be forgotten.”
“A feature of the festival was the quality of the boats involved. The display of dinghies, canoes and kayaks on the dock was just superb and a great tribute to the boat building skills we have in Tasmania.”
“The magnificently restored steam launch Preana created huge interest and the relaunch of the 21 footer Tassie Too by the governor Sir Guy Green was a moving experience.”
Ben Marris says very strong public support over the weekend was very encouraging to the committee. The Tasmanian Cutter, Olive May notes from the curator
Abandon Ship! Library’s eHeritage web site. Last year other animal pests. we received a very generous grant of Have a look at the new display in our computer equipment, software and Applications for Grants temporary display area. Called Abandon support from this program and Bob has Ship! it deals with the topic of safety at I have recently submitted a number of been working very hard photographing sea. A variety of Tasmanian shipwrecks applications for grants for the Museum and editing our objects database to be are highlighted. These draw attention to including one to Arts Tasmania to fund a included on the site. So far about 100 items the factors which have contributed sea Strategic Plan for the Museum. A plan was in our collection may be browsed on-line disasters, such as wild weather, inaccurate prepared before the move from Secheron. as well as similar contributions from many charts, dangerous cargos and poor However, circumstances have changed other small historical organizations around navigation. The exhibition was opened and an update would provide a valuable the State. It will be a great resource - have a formally on May 19 by Mick Doleman who framework for long-term development look on www.statelibrary.tas.gov.au was a young sailor on the Blythe Star. and planning.
Fumigation Serendipity We are also seeking funding from the We recently had the Museum fumigated State Government Bicentennial Fund Abandon Ship! will be in place for the next using a relatively innocuous pyrethrum and the Hobart City Council Bicentenary 5 to 6 months when it will be replaced by based product which is used by Australian Community Grants Program. This would Serendipity an exhibition based on work Archives. I also attended an informative enable us to copy our large collection on our document collection being carried seminar at the Tasmanian Museum and of glass plate negatives and lantern out by Audrey Hudspeth, Julie Stacker and Art Gallery on pest control in Museums. slides which in their present form are Geoff Andrewartha. We are expecting This highlighted the need for good very difficult to access. A display and an some interesting ‘finds’ and have a grant housekeeping and keen observation to education package based on the images from Arts Tasmania to organise this identify any pests before they multiply and would also be prepared to help mark the display. cause damage to artefacts. At this stage bicentennial year. . they can often be dealt with by simple, eHeritage Launch non-toxic measures focussed on a small Rona Hollingsworth On April 30 Bob Andrewartha and I area and a specific pest. Please let me attended the official launch of the State know if you notice any signs of insect or
Museum on Show at D.E.C.
On the weekend of the 15 and 16 March the Maritime Museum attended the Exhibition and of the monies raised $5,000 will go had an exhibit of selected models at the Model Makers & Collectors to the Heart Foundation, $2,600 to St. John’s Ambulance Glenorchy Exhibition. We were well looked after by the organisers as we were and $2,300 to Cosmos. placed in the main foyer right where most of the patrons entered the Exhibition. Congratulations to the organisers and a special thank you to the team of our volunteers who manned our exhibit. As a publicity event for our Museum it was felt to be most successful as many people stopped and viewed our models and hopefully Graeme von Bibra. will visit us now they have a taste of what we have to offer. The Exhibition itself held every two years is tremendous, from a large water filled pond for radio controlled model boats to do their stuff, to a circular rail track with model steam trains being driven around by their owners and on the inside of this circle model planes flying around on the end of string. Model trains of every size travelling THOUGHT FOR THE DAY through model villages, magnificent models of sailing ships hand made in every detail. Models of anything and everything that It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice. moves. Outside the centre model helicopters gyrating in the sky. (This was the favourite saying of a great mate of mine from Collectors are catered for from beer cans to cigarette cards, every Tasmania, the late Don Rainsford … and he was both). Ed. interest is catered for. This year approximately 10,000 people
one for the landlubbers Preserve your experience at sea with a quality Brett Marley the popular radio painting depicting your voyage personality on Hobart Radio Station Magic 107, recently walked from the top of Mt Wellington to Wrest Hobart Casino to raise money for the very worthy “GIVE 5 FOR KIDS’ appeal.
The distance took 27,427 steps. Well done Brett and I bet you enjoyed that beer at the end of it.
BRAIN TEASER
Heard recently on the popular John Laws show was this intriguing exercise:
Choose a number between 1 and 10. Multiply it by 2. IB ODFELDT Add 5. Multiply by 50. Marine Artist Add 1,752 or 1753 (if you have had your birthday this year). Subtract the year of your birth. Specialising in fine oil paintings of ships The answer has 3 digits Winner of the Southern Ocean Maritime Art Prize The first is the number you first thought of and the other two, your age Framed or unframed paintings at reasonable prices From photographs or prints NB: This will only work for the current year – 2003. Contact Ib at Kent House, 32 Jetty Road, Cygnet Tasmania 7112 Phone 03 62 951 100 Try it on your friends by Kim Peart JORGEN JORGENSON Our Convict King - the charmed tragedy of Jorgen Jorgenson
“That man’s life would form a perfect romance, if written with the strictest attention to truth.” W.J. Hooker 1833.
It is an impossibility to attempt to tell the story of Jorgen Jorgenson in a few words, as his is a life lived beyond what most of us could imagine. How the ruler of Iceland became a convict in Van Diemen’s Land is no small tale.
The recent book “The Usurper” by Dan Sprod, offers a careful historical account of Jorgenson’s life and the facts alone reveal a life which is more like a living romance than many an imaginative writer might conceive. However, not to let the facts get in the way of a good story, Jorgen would often give his own spin to his life’s adventures. As a consequence, we have two or even three stories. One is the historical Jorgenson, born in Copenhagen on 7th April 1780. A second story is the spin which he gave to his own story, and which no one in the colony at the time
Mysteriously, we next find Jorgenson engaged as an interpreter on an English trading expedition to Iceland in the summer of 1809, where he becomes the ruler of Iceland for two months.
Sydney, to participate in exploration and Danish Navy and prevent it falling into the could dispute. The third story is that of a settlement supply runs around the coasts hands of the French. As a consequence of mythical character, the Viking King of Van of New Holland. It was in this role that Danish anger at this pre-emptive strike, Diemen’s Land, whose portrait is carved Jorgenson was present at the founding Jorgenson was made the master of the on the Ross Bridge, wearing a crown. of the settlements of Risdon Cove in Admiral Jawl, and instructed to hunt down September 1803, and of Sullivan’s Cove British ships. On 2nd March 1808 the The son of a royal clockmaker of in February 1804. Later in 1804 he joined Admiral Jawl was captured and Jorgenson Denmark, the young Jorgen dreamed of a whaler as first mate on an expedition to made a prisoner of war. following in the wake of explorers and New Zealand, and claims to have been the adventurers like Captain James Cook. first whaler to have harpooned a whale Mysteriously, we next find Jorgenson Managing to convince his father to have in the River Derwent, before returning to engaged as an interpreter on an English him apprenticed on an English collier at England via Cape Horn. trading expedition to Iceland in the 16, he served four years becoming a sailor, summer of 1809, where he becomes the before finding his way to Cape Town on a While visiting his family in Denmark in ruler of Iceland for two months. This whaler in 1799, and then to Port Jackson 1807, the Napoleonic Wars caught up event is seen as the beginning of the in 1800. It was in August 1801 that he with him, with the British Navy bombing road to eventual Icelandic independence joined the crew of the Lady Nelson in Copenhagen for three days to destroy the from Denmark in 1944, but back in 1809, Jorgenson was deposed by the British Navy Robinson, had more contact with the Iceland, Jorgenson began to live a life in and sent back to England. Tasmanian Aborigines in their natural the shadow of his own myth, as ruler of surroundings than any other colonist at Iceland, as the convict king, as the Viking After these incidents, how Jorgenson the time, and would later write of his of Van Diemen’s Land. Like Ned Kelly, managed to become a spy for England on experiences and observations. who is a real historical person, but is also continental Europe is a good question, but a font for the mythic imagination, it may he did, and in this role observed the Battle of Married to an Irish convict, Norah be wondered if Jorgenson has a similar Waterloo, if at a distance. It was during this Corbett, who had been transported from untapped role in our cultural life and the time that Jorgen fell prey to gambling and Cork in 1827, Jorgenson’s final gambit on-going story of Tasmania. But, he is not alcohol, which became the bane of his life. was as a writer, during which he produced ours alone, we must also share his life and ‘A Shred of Autobiography’. The curtains story with some of the best story-tellers in Later settling into a life in London, where fell upon his life on 20th January 1841, the world, the people of Iceland. he attempted a career as a writer, the twin but this mortal interruption is not the demons of gambling and alcohol led to end of his story. REFERENCES: ‘The Usurper’ by Dan Sprod, Blubber Head Press, a conviction for theft, banishment from 2001. England, and when discovered to be still Jorgenson’s life lives on in the hearts ‘Jorgen Jorgenson and the Aborigines of Van at large, sentenced to death. The gallows of many people around the world. Diemen’s Land’ by N.J.B. Plomley, Blubber Head became transmuted to transportation to Van The Icelanders are particularly fond Press, 1991. ‘The Convict King’ by James Francis Hogan, J. Diemen’s Land in 1826, where he became of him, and often refer to him as their Walch & Sons, 1967. engaged as an explorer for the Van Diemen’s one time king. In Tasmania Jorgenson ‘The Viking of Van Diemen’s Land’ by Frank Clune Land Company, and then as a police lurks in our history as one of our & P.R. Robinson, Angus and Robinson, 1954. constable in the Midlands. As a constable he more colourful colonial characters. In was involved in the roving parties, and after some ways, after the heady heights of
JORGEN JORGENSON GATHERING
Saturday 6 September 2003 Lauderdale Hall, LAUDERDALE
This date marks the day in 1803 when Jorgen Jorgenson first arrived in the Derwent River on the Lady Nelson, which was anchored in Ralphs Bay, near Lauderdale.
Enquiries: Kim Peart. South Terrace Carving of Jorgenson on the Lauderdale 7021. Ph 6248 1373 33 Ross Bridge
Interest in celebrating the life and times of Jorgen Jorgenson Lady Nelson : The Lady Nelson is available for cruises in has been expressed from around Tasmania. It was originally September, half day or day, if there is interest. hoped to hold a conference in September this year, but instead we will now be holding a GATHERING for all interested Jorgenson Tour: One possibility in September is for a Jorgenson on 6 September, and look forward holding a conference some tour of all the sites around Tasmania where he went to and time in 2004. If interested and able to participate, we would lived, including the Ross Bridge, which has the carving of him welcome hearing from you and keeping in touch. We are keen wearing a crown. to hear what you think, of your ideas, and what you may like to see happen at the GATHERING in September, and also with the Reconciliation: Through Jorgensen’s eyes we have a view of CONFERENCE next year. the Aborigines of this island in their natural surroundings. We can honour the ancestral custodians of this ancient land, Some Thoughts: share stories and songs of our diverse traditions, and seek out Three Islands: The life of Jorgen Jorgenson connects three the culture which we can live into the future as the children islands....Tasmania, Iceland and Ireland. He lived in Tasmania, and carers of our island home. he was the ruler of Iceland, and his wife, Norah Corbett, was from Ireland. Kim Peart Log of Yeulba Maria Island Challenge Race - Started Xmas Day 1937 A Short Note about the boat and its skipper.
Yeulba. Described as a 30ft linear class yacht, was built by Logan 6 P.M. about ½ way to Wege Is the wind. ENE. Landfall abreast but Bros of Auckland, New Zealand and launched for Mr Walter Marks well to leeward. of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron as the Culwulla III. Mr Marks Passed the “Matilda” off Wedge Bay at 6.30 P.M- sailed her to Hobart in 1910 where she won the Bruny Island Race, 7.30. P.M. Abreast the Salters fine N.E. L. abeam about ½ mile to finishing 5½ hours ahead of all other entrants. The same season leeward. Just had Christmas tea she sailed to Melbourne where she won the Sayonara Cup for NSW. 8.15. Roul abreast took topsail off L. in our wake astern. For a few years after the 1914-18 War she was owned and raced as Tasman about 11. PM. Hard NE with rain through the night. Eunamara in Melbourne by Lord Forster, (Governor General 1920- 25, in the days prior to the move to Canberra). By 1936 she was Sunday 26. Daylight off Green Is No sign of L. Boy in the boat 5.45 in Hobart where she was owned by Angus Cumming and known AM as Yeulba. In 2002 this remarkable vessel won the Hamilton Island Ragged Head. 9.45 Wind light NE Regatta, known again as Eunamara! Rabit Is. abeam. 12 noon Wind still NE rain has stopped. Set topsail & spinakker off Darlington wind light NE Angus Cumming. A colourful member of the RYCT and of an 2.10. Passed Boy in the boat wind light. NE. Hailed the yacht outstanding yachting family was affectionately referred to by “Gypsy” about 2 P.M. his yachting friends as “The King”. His home faced on to Victoria We were greeted with cheers as they reported no sign of “Landfall”. Esplanade, Bellerive. There is an apocryphal story that one night 4. p.m Abreast of Sisters mowing it off in a free fresh Breeze whilst having an after work drink at the Clarence Hotel, two 5.30. P.m Passed between the Hippolytes. Breeze still holding out. schoolboys turned his car’s headlights around so that they faced Albert pointed out where the Tasman & Nord. struck. aft (headlights were on top of the front mudguards in those days). 7. PM. Jybed over off Tasman Light. Wind getting light When he turned on his lights he thought they were the lights of a 8.45 Off Cape Roul fine night. Nice offshore breeze. car parked in front of him. He shouted out that he could reverse and then drive out. As he reversed the other lights came with him. After Monday 27th Dec 1937 more shouted requests he exploded with “Why the bloody hell are 1.30AM. Iron Pot you following me”, accompanied by loud sounding of his car horn 3.30.. White Rock that is reported to have brought the local Sergeant of Police! 6.A.M. off Long Point “Lady Betty” came out and told us the good The 1937 Maria Island Race was a challenge race that arose out news that we were first home. Wind light N. of the elderly Yeulba outsailing Landfall in the Bruny Island Race. Got a wave from “Lynnilg”. Also a double barrel salute off the Slip Landfall was an Olin Stephens design, newly launched for Guy Rex Yards. and Charles Davies. Defending her performance, Guy Rex said “Of Finish 10 to Seven. 4½ hours ahead of “LANDFALL”. course Landfall is designed for a proper ocean race” This prompted A good reception from W. Darling, official starter. the Maria Island challenge by Angus. Skipper Batt. Came over and we discovered about a cwt of kelp on the keel. Yeulba’s Log is now in the Museum’s archives. An attempt has been Home to breakfast after a generous tow to the moorings from made to closely follow the spelling and punctuation of the Log, “Lady Betty”. which was hastily written at sea, by pencil in a small notebook.
Sat 25 inst. Angus Cumming Owner & helmsman Albert Sproule Pilot Reg Lucas Mate Johnnie Shott AB. Joe Nicholls ..
The crew turned up in surprisingly good condition about 11AM & got the sails ready etc. Nice N.E. fine weather high glass 29.90 White Rock 3.45 P.M. Landfall about 200 yds astern. A good start. right on L’s stern. Iron Pot. 4.40 PM. Crossing tacks with L. He is slightly ahead. ANNUAL DINNER
A man enters a chemist and asks Derwent Sailing Squadron for some hiccup treatment. The Marieville Esplanade, Sandy Bay pharmacist leans over the counter and slaps the mans face. ”What Wednesday 2nd July, 2003 did you do that for?” the man asks. 7pm for 7.30pm “Well, you don’t have the hiccups $40 Per Person any more, do you?” the pharmacist replied. “True”, replied the man, Book Your Own Table “But my wife in the car outside still Tables Of 4 Or 8 does”. Or Join With Others The receptionist in a country THREE COURSE DINNER motel showed a traveller to his room. He was happy with the ENTREE room and asked the tariff. When Seafood Chowder Or told it was $40, he replied: “I’ll pay Caesar Salad that with pleasure”. “Oh, no” said the receptionist. “with pleasure, it MAIN will cost $140.00”. Roast Beef With Seeded Mustard Sauce Or Salmon Parcel With Lemon Caper Sauce cannibal capers All Main Course Meals Served With Vegetables CHEWHARD, the old cannibal, took DESSERT his young son out to teach him the Sticky Date Pudding With Toffee Sauce And Ice Cream or business. They hid in the bushes Fresh Fruit Salad With Chantilly Cream and soon a missionary appeared riding a bicycle. “Ah meals on wheels” he said and they killed and Tea, Coffee And Mints stripped the poor man. “Now” said Glass of Complimentary Wine With Dinner CHEWHARD to his son, ”I will start Soft dinner music at the head and you start at the bottom”. After a while he said “How Guest speaker: Bill Mearns, outstanding Tasmanian Marine Artist are you going? ” to which the son replied, “I’m having a ball”. “Well Book your place or table by Wednesday 18th June by phoning the Museum don’t eat so bloody fast or you will on 6234 1427 get indigestion” he growled. Payments due by Wednesday 25th June A few weeks later they captured 3 explorers and decided to cook them in a pot. After finding out their nationalities, 1 English,1 American and 1 Irish the Chief said, “Let the Irish one go”. “Why?” they Stop press: The Maritime Times of Tasmania congratulates Greg King of King asked.” Because the last Irishman Tow Bars, Trailers & Caravans on winning the inaugural Australian Formula 1 we put in the pot ate all the Super Boat championship on the River Derwent, Sunday May 11. potatoes” he said. )0#"35 (-&/03$): 4)&11"350/ Cnr. Murray & Melville Sts., 10 Derwent Park Rd., 197 Corio Street, Hobart. Ph. 62 300 300 Glenorchy. Ph. 627 11 627 Shepparton. Ph. 5821 9422 ,%8BSFIPVTF e-mail: [email protected] )PNF5SBEF :PVS)PNF#VJMEJOH4QFDJBMJTUT # # # # # # # # # # # # ! # #" # # $% & ! + # ' ! , # () EASY WEEKLY PAYMENTS! # # $PTUPG(PPET "QQSPY8FFLMZ1BZNFOU # ( * # # To obtain an application form either Phone 62 300 300 or Fax 62 311 771 or e-mail: [email protected] or visit either K&D Warehouse Hobart or Glenorchy after 10% Deposit and Govt. Stamp Duty. Details in-store. Museum helpers required from The Maritime Museum of Tasmania, Hobart is seeking volunteers to work the galley in reception. They will be required to work half a day once a fornight or Ship Plum Pudding once a month. Contact John Wedd or Neville Payne on 6234 1427, 9am- 5pm, 7 days. A reliable, easily prepared, tasty, steamed ship pudding
ingredients:
1 cup plain flour ½ cup white sugar bon voyage 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp cinnamon The graphic designer for this 1 tablespoon butter newsletter, David Waugh is off to ½ cup raisins see the world with his lovely wife ½ cup sultanas Rachel. Flying to Beijing, then Ulaan 1 cup mixed currants and dates (or peel anything you have) Baatar in Mongolia, they will cycling 1 cup boiling water + 1 tsp carb. soda to ‘who knows where’ on a real ‘Waugh adventure tour’. Rub flour, sugar, ginger, and cinnamon with butter. Add raisins and sultanas, with currants dates, etc. Mix with boiling water and soda mixture. David is the person I consider most responsible for the success of this The mixture will be sloppy. Put in well-greased basin. If it has no lid, tie on with a publication, often going beyond the bit of cloth. Steam for 2 hours. Don’t let the water get into the basin, and don’t let it call of duty to assist us because of boil dry. his interest in the Maritime Museum. We wish him the very best for the This serves 4 adults. To cook a double amount steam for 2½ hours. future and hope to resume our association with him some day. Many thanks to our Guest Chef, Enid Cannon, for this recipe. Bob Petrass BON APPETIT!
Lucky Pierre Phone: 03 6223 1914 / 6224 6169 Fax: 03 6224 8333 Mobile: 0418 120 598 Email: [email protected] to let
Thank you to all our sponsors for keeping us afloat. To become a sponsor, call Bob on 6225 1004 sponsor - ship
S.S. Maritime Times of Tasmania
Liferaft Systems. The Mercury Tasmanian Shipping Supplies
specialising in personalised travel itineraries.
247 Sandy Bay Rd Sandy Bay 7005 (03) 6224 2255 Hobart’s Whitehouse Ferries A Family Business As told by Paul Whitehouse to Julie Stacker, September - November 2002
The Whitehouse ferry family operated one of Hobart’s major ferry businesses from the 19th until the early 20th century. George Whitehouse, Paul’s grandfather, gained his waterman’s licence in March 1879. Paul Whitehouse kindly agreed to be interviewed about his childhood memories of the family business in the 1920s for the MMT newsletter.
Paul’s earliest memories include his formidable grandmother, Martha Bayes Whitehouse, who owned and operated the ferry business in the first decades of the 1900s until her death in 1924. The Bayes family had long been connected with shipping in and around the Hobart waterfront. Paul’s father and uncle operated the family ferries under the direction of Martha Whitehouse: “She told the boys what to do and they did it!” Maweena ‘The boys’ would go to visit their mother’s days for private cars. Regular stops were at Maweena ran on a crew of five under the in her single storey brick house in Stolle Sorell Creek, Old Beach, Bridgewater, and skipper who dressed in the regulation Avenue. Here she would sit in the window, the zinc works. Above the Bridgewater blue, double-breasted suit and captain’s greeting people as they passed by. She Bridge was Lime Kiln and several little cap. The crew dressed in more mundane knew everyone in the neighbourhood. jetties, along with Sorell Creek and the working clothes, usually overalls. There newsprint mills, these were sometimes was a leading deck hand, two deck hands, When she died in 1924 Paul’s father included in the route. The journey might the engineer and fireman. As a six- or – Herbert Edward Whitehouse - and Uncle take 3 to 4 hours, but could be reduced seven-year-old Paul was allowed to help Bill – William Whitehouse – took over the to 2 ½ hours if waters and the run were operate the boat. He would go downstairs ferries – the Maweena and the Marana smooth. Whatever the conditions on the into the engine room where the fireman respectively; continuing to trade between water, the ferries couldn’t go really fast would let him put a couple of shovels full Hobart and New Norfolk. Maweena left as the boats would have made too much of coal in the furnace. His father let him from Hobart in the afternoon to New wake, affected the banks and therefore the steer the boat; he had to stand on a box to Norfolk, then returned to Hobart at 8 the birdlife. [Writer’s note: it is interesting that reach the wheel. next morning. Marana did the opposite environmental concerns regulated use of run. The Maweena stayed overnight in waterways in the 1920s.] Herbert Whitehouse died in 1928. His New Norfolk, the crew bunkered up the young widow Elsie (her name was Marion fires, piling the coal into a heap, before Maweena and Marana often had the river Elsie, but she was always known as Elsie) they knocked off for the day around to themselves since there was not a lot of was left Maweena which she operated midnight; in the morning about an hour regular river traffic. The zinc works had under charter to the O’May brothers to before sailing, they would stir the fire up to its own interstate and overseas shipping earn income to support her family. The raise a head of steam. and when the newsprint mill first started O’May Brothers of Bellerive had sold it had its own fleet of tugs to transport off their own ferry fleet and used the The time taken to make the journey mainly paper products. This was different on chartered vessel to re-enter the ferry depended on how many stops had to be New Norfolk Regatta Day, held each year business. In January 1929, Maweena was made, to allow passengers to alight and on Boxing Day, when half a dozen river burned to the waterline in a suspected embark and to deliver mail and parcels. steamers would take up position for the arson attack against the O’Mays. The loss There were largely passenger ferries; not regatta. Motor boats made their way up of the vessel effectively put one branch of a lot of their business was cargo. There the river to join in; for yachts the winds on the Whitehouses out of the ferry business. was no bus competition for the passenger the river were too unpredictable. trade in the 1920s, and it was very early William Whitehouse had died late in 1924, excursions; it was a chance for them to ‘cut into port locals would sometimes come but his sons had taken over as captains and loose’. Aged in their 20s to 50s, they were on board for a drink. At Dunalley the ran the office on the waterfront, on the old chaps out of offices or bosses, who were locals came flocking to the boat. Cousin Elizabeth Pier, and another in Elizabeth the only ones who could afford the fare. George, serving at the bar, would make to Street, one of several little offices where No children were allowed on these cruises, hand over a glass to a customer, calling out the Hydro building now stands. The but as the captain’s son Paul was allowed to the price: “One and six!” Before the drink Elizabeth Street office was a single fronted go and to take a friend. On this particular could be handed over, a voice behind the building with windows of brown-coloured occasion Peter Canning, a school friend, lucky recipient would call out: “I’ll give glass looking onto the street, it was both went along. you two bob!”. They drank the boat dry. administrative office and ticket office, Captain Herbert was remembered to have there was also an office adjacent to the Bedding of straw and rugs was provided said: “I wish to [goodness] that I’d doubled moored boat which was a ticket office and in the hold for the passengers, along the stuff I’d had on board, they drank us where the receiving clerk would sign for with substantial meals and a bar. Cousin out!” cargo or parcels. George acted as cook in a specially built galley which could accommodate three On the return journey Paul’s mother had Paul remembers accompanying his father people. Meals included eggs, chops, been down on the peninsula with friends on board Maweena on a special excursion grills, vegetables, and freshly caught fish, and the weather in Storm Bay was very down the east coast in November 1924. with the occasional apple pie for dessert. rough. She met the boat at Dunalley and Starting from Hobart, the excursion went Supplies of staples such as bread were insisted that Paul return home with her to Dunalley, Swansea, Coles Bay, then loaded in Hobart. Maweena was licensed, by road, this meant that he was “home a back to Swansea and Dunalley on the and the bar on board served beer, whisky, damn sight earlier, quicker and not feeling return. Only men went on these overnight white and red wine. When the boat pulled ill”.
Get Well
Two of our members have recently been in Calvary Hospital.
Charles (Laurie) Bahr had a knee-cap replacement and is now doing all the physio required to enable him to resume his regular pub visits with his old mate Leith Harper. We wish you a speedy recovery “Sir Laurence of Tasmania”.
Also on the sick list has been one of our valued volunteers Bob Dunbabin. He is Statue of Abel Tasman in Salamanca Place. Image taken from now well on the way back to good health Joe Cannon’s forthcoming book Storm & Silence - portrait of the following a recent stroke, and we look Tasman Sea. It’s due for release in late June. forward to seeing him around the place again soon. advertising
We are delighted to add some quick quiz new names to the growing list of advertisers in our quarterly newsletter. This will result in us 1 In which Caribbean island is the resort of Montego bay? being able to produce a bigger and 2 Which Tasmanian beer advertises the Esk River as the source of its better publication in the future. If water source? you know of any company which 3 What ship famously sailed from Plymouth to America in 1620? could be interested in joining this select group you may like to contact 4 In what poem is the line “Water water everywhere/nor any drop to them on our behalf or contact Bob drink? Petrass on 62251004. 5 What is the south most cape of South Africa? 6 Who saw Australia first, Abel Tasman or James Cook? 7 In what way are the four species of sirenians or sea cows (dugongs and THE FOLLOWING RATES APPLY:- manatees) different from all other sea mammals? 1/8 Page $15 – per issue 8 Famous in yachting, the Fastnet Rock is off the south coast of which 1/4 Page $ 20 “ “ island country of Europe? 1/2 page $ 35 “ “ 9 What 1944 battle for an island nation entered history as the biggest naval battle of all time? Full Page $ 50 “ “
10 On what day of the year does the Sydney to Hobart yacht race start? Members are also invited to insert small advts in our “Buy-swap-sell” section at no cost. WHO AM I
A military man, I was born in Britain in 1887 and died in 1976. (6pts)
I spent time as a boy in Tasmania where Dad was an Anglican cleric. (5pts)
I was given charge of the 8th Army in World War II and beat Rommel at El Alamein. (4pts) MMT tie
I didn’t hit it off with Eisenhower, but I took the German surrender in An attractive top-quality non-slip tie the West. (3pts) has been professionally designed for the Museum. On a navy blue Not slow at blowing my own trumpet, my surname starts with “M” . (2pts) background there are diagonal I am Field Marshall Bernard Law ……… (1pt) gold “rope bars”, each 5mm wide and spaced 50 mm apart. Placed at the centre of the tie is an attractive woven picture (25mm by 25 mm in Answers on next page size) of the “Harriet McGregor” under full sail. At $25 it is an inexpensive and tasteful item.
We require 50 orders of our new tie to commence. We are already half way there, but need a further 26 orders at the special price of $20.
Place your orders now with the museum staff on 62341427.
Ladies - what a great Father’s Day gift. school’s in
The Maritime Museum’s Education program has set sail and class bookings are beginning to flow. Rex Cox and I are hoping that students will become aware of how important and vital our maritime history is to our lives and how we live today.
I have set up our classroom area upstairs and have prepared and collected lots of stimulating activities that teachers can use before, during and after their visit. The classroom provides a perfect place to introduce our maritime past and stimulate a child’s imagination.
The maritime history of Tasmania is fascinating.
Rex is beginning to organise our valued and willing guides to help with voyages of discovery around the museum and the port.
I can see another good year approaching.
Natalie Rees Museum Liaison Officer
Errol Flynn 1909 - 1959
Recently it was decided to name the reserve at Short Beach, Battery Point after that most famous of Tasmanians, Errol Flynn. We would be interested in stories from our readers about Errol’s boyhood days in Hobart. Just send them to the editor. Also anyone interested in raising the profile of this movie great to promote tourism in our state is invited to become a member of the Errol Flynn Society.
Contact Genene Randell on 6249 4700 for further details.
QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Jamaica 2. Boags 3. Mayflower 4. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner 5. Cape Agulhas 6. Tasman in 1642 7. They are herbivorous (eating or living on herbs) 8. Ireland 9. Leyte Gulf (Philippines) 10. Boxing Day (26 Dec)
WHO AM I? Montgomery