Our maritime history & present day news. No. 29 Spring 2009. Cost: doubloons (gold coins) donation
Christmas shopping
made easy
Looking for something better than
jocks and sox for your Christmas
presents this year?
You need look no further than your Maritime
Museum gift shop and book shop where you
will find an extensive range of top quality
products at reasonable prices plus many
items ON SPECIAL.
You are most welcome to come in and
browse 7 days a week from 9am till 5pm.
‘Shaken’ The Tree’
Zealandia
The Worthing Lifeboat
Bruny Island Excursion
Melbourne Cup
Letters to the editor, from the galley,
pirate club, crossword and more...
Maritime Museum of Tasmania
CARNEGIE BUILDING
Cnr Davey & Argyle Sts.
Hobart, Tasmania
Postal Address: GPO Box 1118,
Hobart, Tasmania 7001, AUSTRALIA
Phone:
Fax:
(03) 6234 1427
(03) 6234 1419
email: [email protected]
www.maritimetas.org
Open Daily 9am - 5pm
(except for Good Friday & Christmas Day)
Editor:
Bob Petrass
Phone: 6225 1004
Mobile: 044 768 1322
Layout & production:
Ricoh Studio
Phone: 6223 4311
[email protected]
Closing date for our next newsletter is the
16th January, 2010. Please lodge your articles
by that date in the box provided at MMT, or
email direct to [email protected]
Future closing dates will be on the 16th
of months - January, April, July
and October.
2 | Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009
editorial
Black Faces on Red Faces.
Recently there has been a lot of controversy over a segment on TV which some
considered offensive. A group of young professional men from various ethnic
back-grounds, blackened their faces to perform as the ‘Jackson Jive’ group in the
Red Faces segment of the Hey, Hey, Reunion show. How could they impersonate
coloured performers without doing so? It was done in a comic fashion as part of a
variety show which has always provided good family entertainment, unlike most
programs on television these days. The segment probably would have received
GET WELL
Popular Interstate member John Crosbie is
battling ill health at present but knowing
no adverse comment if it had not been for one of the judges being an American
and taking umbrage to it. This in itself seemed strange as it was later revealed
John, with his cherry disposition and positive
that the gentleman in question, singer/actor Harry Connick Jnr.,had himself once
thinking, he will no doubt be back to his best
blackened his face for a comedy skit he appeared in on American television.
in the near future.
( was this not a case of the pot calling the kettle black ! )
Australian Comedy (like English comedy) is all about being able to laugh at oneself,
new members
one of the reasons it is so much better than what the yanks dish up where they
We are delighted to welcome the
it appears that many people are becoming far too precious these days, worrying
following NEW MEMBERS to the
about political correctness while those less fortunate are battling wars, poverty,
Maritime Museum.
have to rely on canned laughter to get their TV audiences involved. Unfortunately
starvation, terrorism, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc.
Margaret Anderson (Concession)
The Black and White Minstrel Show was first broadcast by the BBC, on black and
Cheryl Barnette (Family)
white television, in 1958 and was one of the first shows to be shown in colour (no
Cyril Butters (Concession)
pun intended) in 1967. Does anyone in their right mind think these performers
Donald Clayton (Concession)
were out to denigrate black people, no way, it was wonderful entertainment
Aina Dambitis (Volunteer)
which the whole family could sing along to, and thoroughly enjoy.
John Gleeson (Concession)
Digby Longhurst (Family)
Ian Matthews (Interstate)
Mark Risby (Concession)
Al Jolson was called ‘The World’s Greatest Entertainer’ and was loved throughout
the world. Nowadays some would want him thrown in jail. Thank goodness he
was born in a more tolerant era. The Jolson Story and Jolson Sings Again are two
of many peoples favourite movies of all time, but now we must ask the question,
‘would they be allowed to be shown on television in 2009’ ? I have them on video
and wonder should I pull down the blinds and lock the doors to watch them in
Vale
my own home ?
It is with deep regret that we learnt
It’s an old saying but a true one that ‘laughter is the best medicine’ and we need
of the loss of two great yachties
it more than ever in our world today without trying to dissect everything looking
in Andrew Short and Sally Gordon
for hidden meanings which don’t exist.
during a night race while preparing
for the coming Sydney to Hobart
classic. On behalf of all members of
MMT we pass on our condolences
to their families and friends.
Bob Petrass.
P.S. If Hey, Hey makes a return to our television screens next year, as many hope it
will, ‘Dicky Knee’ will have no voice as surely they couldn’t continue to employ a white
man who calls himself Blackman. -- That would certainly not be ‘politically correct’.
Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009 | 3
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Bob Petrass
I was very interested to read that the Maritime
Museum is taking measurements of old Tasmanian
vessels for their records.
Some years ago I measured the “Gypsy” when
she was on the hard at the Royal Yacht Club and
subsequently made a small model of her. I enclose
a photo of this model sitting in front of a painting
which I subsequently did of “Gypsy” when she was
sailing up the Derwent to New Norfolk. A beautiful
sight to see.
gone there, even ship-borne Yankees Yours sincerely,
who went just about everywhere a ship
Bill Mearns
and her boats would float…
Dear Bob
We have had a blessed event! – well, not
me personally (tho’ there has been one
new addition to my extended family which is also wonderful) – I mean we have
all had a recent blessed event: a Southern
Right Whale calf born in Great Oyster Bay
on or around 19 August and reported by
David Pemberton of Tas NPWS on ABC
News that day.
Readers may recall my 2005 Maritime
News contribution titled Whales in the
Derwent?; this is the next, even more
exciting instalment because this is
another marker in the gradual (if erratic)
recovery of these creatures in our own
Tasmanian waters - from which SR
Whales, the slowest, most amiable, easily
approached and easily hunted (hence “the
right whale to catch” for the old whalers)
were almost exterminated in the heroic
age of open-boat, harpoon whaling here
from first European settlement.
The Great Oyster Bay report joins others
from crayfishers and boaties in Tassie
waters, including another very good one
to Tas NPWS’ Rosemary Gale from the
bay just south of Hell’s Gates on Tassie’s
wild West coast - and a record number
of SR mothers and calves sighted off
Portland, Port Fairy and Logan’s Beach
near Warrnambool – there including even
the first ever Killer Whales seen in this
location, filmed by Vic DSI’s Mandy Watson
– as well as on the NSW coast in Jervis Bay
and Eden, and Victor Harbour in SA.
The long-running calving site at the head
of the Bight where SR whales have been
calving continually for as long as anyone
knows even seems to have now reached
capacity. This locality is so isolated even
19th century whalers seem not to have
4 | Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009
In Tasmania the intense and long-ago
depredations of the past have meant
recovery has been much slower - but now
even we seem to be slowly catching up…..
All these welcome reports join others
worldwide of species re-colonizing areas
where they were common before nearannihilation by our own species, like the
beavers in Yellowstone NP shown in the
recent, excellent BBC ‘doco’ on the ABC.
For the Northern Right (or ‘Greenland’)
whale all this comes too late: the first
‘commercial’ whale species was hunted
to total extermination in the 1700s. But in
our waters the struggle goes on….with
more and more good news!
So much so that I now propose that after
this well-documented SR Whale birth on
the E Coast the 19th of August should
become a Tasmanian Public Holiday replacing The Queen’s Birthday, which
isn’t even Her Majesty’s actual birthday
anyway.
Cheers,
Our house flag is now the international
signal flag S, the reverse of the Blue Peter,
but originally it was the number one from
the Marryat signal code for merchant
vessels devised in 1817. This is the same flag
but just different signal codes have been
developed and adopted over the years.
My interest in solving this puzzle was
rekindled following a visit to the Mount
Nelson signal station earlier this year
when my wife pointed out to me the
coloured pen and ink diagram of The
Signal Flags of Hobart Town produced by
Private Edward Murphy in the late 1840’s
and early 1850’s.
Murphy’s picture details the ship
identification flags for vessels sailing to
and from Hobart as well as signal codes
for ships.
Amongst the numerous ships flags listed
was one of the Risbys’ earliest steam
and sailing ships, the Gem, showing our
distinctive house flag.
In the hope of learning more about
Murphy’s works I contacted the Tasmanian
Museum and Art Gallery where I was
eventually directed to Peta Knott, the
Maritime Museum’s own maritime
archaeologist.
Peta has been most helpful and obliging
in showing me more of Murphy’s works
as well as early Hobart Regatta silks which
detail my families participation in the
whale boat and sailing races of the 1840’s.
I look forward to participating in the
museum’s events and hope that my quest
to solve my family’s house flag history will
be solved with the Maritime Museums
membership help.
Kind Regards,
Mark Risby
Andrew Shipway
Dear Bob,
As a newly accepted member I was
wondering if any other members may have
a special interest in maritime flags. If so I
would like to hear from them to help me
complete my research into my subject of
special interest of Tasmanian house flags.
As an amateur vexillologist (a person who
studies flags) my quest is to uncover the
reason why my forebears chose to adopt
our house flag which they first hoisted
over 150 years ago when three brothers
founded their boat building and timber
processing business of Risby Bros. in 1844.
Apologies
To all those contributors waiting
patiently for their articles to be
published in our magazine, please be
assured you have not been forgotten
but with so much material and only
four editions a year the backlog is
enormous. Naturally we have to give
priority to items relating to current
events and to those submitted on disc
or email ready to go to press, but your
efforts will not be in vain. Please do
not let this deter anyone from sending
in their material as the more we have
to choose from the better and we
appreciate very much your interest.
Editor.
Garry, Rory & the Astor Theatre’s George Florence
Hi Bob,
Just received the latest copy of your
newsletter, thank you kindly. Full of
interest, as always. Included with this note
are some photos from Rorys visit to the
Astor theatre in Melbourne, Sunday June
21st, on her way home to Los Angeles.
She called in for a book signing, took part
in an interview, and a Q and A with the
audience, from the stage of the theatre.
The Astor screened an Australian
documentary on her father, “Tasmanian
Devil”, followed by “The Adventures of
Robin Hood”. The interview took part
at interval, between the doco and the
feature film. We had about 300 people
turn up, not bad for a 70 year old movie.
I came on at the end of the audience
chat, and spoke a few [mercifully] brief
words about the loyalty of Flynn fans, and
referred to the celebrations in Hobart, and
how well things had gone down there,
and how good it was to have Rory find
time to call in to Melbourne.
I then whisked her into my car, and back
out to Melbourne Airport to connect with
a flight to Sydney, to connect with another
flight to Hawaii, later that night, collecting
Sean and Holland along the way. An
action packed day for all concerned! As
they say in the classics “Do not withdraw
your sword, except to defend your
honour, defeat your enemy, or protect
your King” - Garry Stewart - Swordsman of
the South Seas.
From: Val and Garry Stewart
MARITIME TIMES
AWARD
Goes to Natalie Rees who has been
a volunteer on reception for quite a
number of years.
Natalie has a very pleasant way with
visitors to the Museum and we thank
her for the service she has given.
Well done Natalie.
Dear Bob
Dear Bob,
An article in Maritime Times of Tasmania
#27 has recently come to my attention.
I refer to Sid Heatley’s writing on the
PORT HOBART. The illustration he
has used is mine, scanned from Ian
Farquhar’s book The Tyser Legacy. I
have no problem with the photo being
reproduced in a journal such as yours...
I am a ship lover myself and have been
all my life. I support similar publications
here in New Zealand.
Received the latest Maritime Times,
each edition is better than the previous
one. Interesting reading. You made a great
job of your poem `the Man in Black’.
However, if Sid can scan the photo, he
should also scan the credit line! I am not
upset and this mail is a little ‘tongue in
cheek’ ... however, I have spent many
years putting my negative collection
together, I sell prints but do not charge
a reproduction fee, as many museums
do. If there is no credit line with a photo
it is ‘fair game’. If there is a credit it is just
playing fair to pass it on...
I have enjoyed reading the issue, keep
up the good work. Happy to help with
photos, if you require something for an
article.
Regards
Victor Young
Marine photographer I author
All the best,
John Crosbie (East Malvern, Vic)
Thanks John for those kind words, as I
have said previously, it was your idea of
enlisting me to edit the South Oakleigh Club
`Clubman’ magazine that got me involved
in this caper which has now become a
labour of love.’
Sponsor-ship
The Magazine needs more sponsors
can you help? If so call Bob on
6225 1004 or 044 768 1322
Thanks to these sponsors for
keeping us afloat; The Mercury,
K&D Warehouse Mitre 10,
Tasmanian Shipping Supplies
& Stormy Australia
Dear Victor,
We are delighted that you enjoy reading
our magazine and thank you for your kind
comments. I am sending you the latest issue
and have enclosed a membership form in
the hope that you might like to become an
overseas member of MMT in which case you
would receive our quarterly publication.
At present we have no members in New
Zealand so you would be most welcome.
Membership Fees
Categories of membership and
annual fees effective each year 1 July
to 30 June (including GST)
Individual
$27.50
Family
$38.50
Concessions:
$15.00
Regarding the photo of the Port Hobart,
it was scanned from a 25mm x 19mm
copy in our library which was donated by
Russel Griffiths and supplied by `Arvyship'
photographers in Boronia, Victoria and
bears their stamp on the back.
Interstate
$16.50
Overseas
additional postage
$16.50 +
$8.50
Quarterdeck
plus $275.00
donation
$25.00
Thanks for your offer to supply future photos
if needed, it is most appreciated.
Life Membership
$1000
Regards, Bob.
once only, or 4 years Quarterdeck
membership.
Pirate Club
$5.00
Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009 | 5
president’s message
Congratulations
To Mark Webber for winning
both the German and
Brazilian Formula 1 Grand
Prix.
On my way to the International Congress of Maritime Museums in Denmark,
Annette and I visited England where a friend in Wiltshire introduced us to Terence
Mordaunt, chairman of the Bristol Port Company. We met Terence at Avonmouth
on the Severn Estuary where he arranged a tour of his docks. With his business
partner David Ord, he took over the Port of Bristol in 1991 and now, after nearly
£400 million in private investment, the Port has become a leader in productivity
and innovation.
Our fascinating tour showed what can be achieved with sensible planning and
development. It made me think of home, of Sullivans Cove, and the pointless
waste it would be to build in our port precinct to the exclusion of maritime trade
in years to come.
In spite of the changes, the Port of Bristol retains some of its quaint practices from
the past. For hundreds of years the only people allowed to handle ship’s lines have
been the Pill Hobblers. The name of these rope-runners derives from the term
“hobble” (to secure a ship) and to the rule that they must be from Pill, a village on
the south bank of the Avon River. The village is famous both for its Hobblers and
for many Bristol Pilots who came from Pill.
I talked to Sidney Baker, one of 18 Pill Hobblers, and he told me they make a very
good living, “We are paid directly by the ships, not the port, and it’s more lucrative
than being a docker even in these times of economic downturn”. He added that
the people of Pill are known for their boat handling skills, “The Sharp family are
the best. They are born with webbed feet and can make a boat talk”.
New members are voted in by existing Hobblers who claim they were given their
right by charter in 1066. Their claim is dubious as, I expect, is their compliance
with British labour laws but they have never been challenged.
We continued our port tour to the giant Kone unloading
crane where we expected to experience the highlight, a
trip to the top to view Bristol and Wales. Annette and the
chief safety officer were first to go. Cramped in the small
lift, they inadvertently tripped the emergency button.
Unaware of the reason for the sudden stop, they remained
trapped above the dock until maintenance staff released
them. A frightened Annette refused to get back in the lift
and clambered down the ladders from a great height.
It was now too late for me – I failed to get my view of
Bristol and Wales!
Colin Denny
6 | Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009
Mark had a very unfortunate
start to the year breaking
his leg in Tasmania while
competing in the ‘Mark
Webber Challenge’ charity
event. He has now placed 4th
in the Driver’s Championship
for this year which is a
fantastic effort with, we feel
sure, the best still to come.
Did you know?
Australian film producer Fred
Schepisi was once on Hawthorn
Football Clubs 3rd’s list.
(He earned much more on Shindler’s List)
The only time cricket was played at
the Olympic Games was in London
in1900. (Even more amazing the
silver medal was won by France.)
(They probably frustrated their
opponents by batting at a snail’s pace)
The kilt originated in France.
(Oh la la.—if they wore it playing cricket
they would have bowled a maiden over)
An excerpt from my book (looking for a publisher)
‘Shaking’ the tree
Like all ‘old seadogs’ I do have a collection of
yarns-most of them fit for print! –so here goes.
Today when countries, politicians, the butcher, grocer and
everyone seems greatly concerned about the image they or it
presents is not a bad time to think of my first trip to Hobart, April
1940. Must say my first impression of Electrona and the plant
waiting for our cargo of a special anthracite coal compared less
than favourably with memories of ports I had visited.
In fact it looked just a picture of the bush, with a jetty in the
forefront. After a 6S day voyage from Swansea Wales, one in
which the early days of World War 11 had made an impression,
it did not live up to stories I had heard of Hobart.
From those who had sampled its delights there was praise”
Real ABC country- Apples, Beer - and Crumpet! (For those not
familiar with Pommy slang, crumpet was the generic word
covering all females regardless of nationality or availabilityalmost a Holy Grail in some ways.)
The pub at Margate, with an outdoor urinal fashioned from
corrugated iron and sporting an old fashioned air in its
construction was indeed welcoming but held no promise of
sophisticated ladies or, in fact, any ladies at all but there was
no doubt about the quality of the beer and the locals made us
feel at home.
In fact we were invited en masse to attend a ball at the Margate
Hall, an event said to attract some Government dignitaries. Our
chief cook, a Jamaican made history of a kind By taking the chair
allotted to the guest of honour, and it took some persuasion by
the officials to get him to vacate it!
For those of us who preferred the bright lights of the city
Hobart was a delight, people were pleased to help strangers in
town, hotel bars were very friendly-even the ‘Blood House” run
by a mischievous matriarch of wild repute.
For a visiting sailor Hobart lived up to its promise, so much so
that in 1947 I found myself back there-this time free of the sea,
with a Tasmanian wife, living in very prosaic Moonah with my
in-laws and working in the building trade.
Came the time when living with the folk became wearying and
I felt the need to have a home of our own. Rental houses were
hard to find so I was quick to answer an advertisement in the
Mercury that sought a tradesman to work on a sheep stationhouse supplied - were the magic words that attracted me and
so it came to pass that I became the station carpenter for the
Misses Foster on a property just North of Campbell Town.
The interview for the job took place at the in-laws home in
Moonah conducted by manager Mr Perkins: This circumstance
had an unexpected outcome.
Job offered—and accepted, my wife and I gathered together
the bare bones of a home that we had. These included very
little except a kitchen cabinet, bedding and kitchen gear.
It was with some surprise then when, on arrival at Campbell
Town by train we were met by Mr Perkins and the news that
he had the station’s semi-trailer waiting to take our furniture to
our new home. (Mr Perkins had interviewed me in the inlaws
home-one well furnished-and had assumed that it was ours.
Our kitchen cabinet looked very lonely on the tray of that semi!)
Anyway, we arrived at our new home. Like my first view of
Tasmania, it was not promising—a stone building set in a
paddock.
Its history was interesting. It had been an hotel in the days of
the stagecoaches, it had 14 rooms, none of them truly habitable
and my first task for the Foster estate was to fix the place up
so we could live in it. My wife, seeing a sizable stone building
at the rear of the house queried Mr Perkins.” I suppose that is
the dairy” she said. Mr Perkins gulped and said “oh no, that’s
your lavatory” and so it proved to be a traditional four holer,
it connected so he said, to an underground stream and never
needed to be emptied
At this point my wife mutinied, our goods were unloaded and
stowed in the house and we repaired to the luxury of a room at
the Campbell Town hotel until I had made a couple of rooms at
our new home fit to live in. Not a very good start, but my life on
the land had yet more to offer.
Because the Foster homestead was several miles away it was
necessary for me to have transport. At the interview, Mr Perkins
indicated this would be provided so it was with some surprise
I discovered that the ‘transport’ had four legs, a half draught
horse that rejoiced in the name of Trump. Introduced to me
in the cobbled yard of the homestead, he looked a formidable
beast-to my eyes not very friendly and a sight to arouse a minor
panic in my mind!
However, saddled and with a bit in his mouth and the reins in
my hand, Trump seemed a lot less scary than situation in life
that I had at times found myself.
So, with directions to the route I should follow to my home
“Keep on the bitumen, past the Old 94th General Hospital carry
on to the ford at the river and you’ll be there” Fine. At a sedate
walk, Trump and me headed off and under my gentle touch on
the reins all went well until a car approached on its way to the
home stead. A friendly toot on the Horn had a violent result,
Trump stopped short, did a quick about face and we, Trump
and me were headed back to the homestead at a fair rate of
knots.
Hanging on like grim death-or in the face of imminent
destruction-I had no hope of control—Trump was on his way
back to the comfort of his stable and all my efforts were in vain.
We entered the cobbled yard of the homestead at a fair clipI’m sure there were sparks from his hooves but he finally
clattered to a halt, and with a little help I dismounted only to be
addressed by a little old lady who appeared somewhat put out.
“Mr Davies, you do not enter the yard at a gallop. Heavens
above you could have had a serious accident, please come in at
a walk in future” I was dumbstruck, could not even say “all very
well Miss Foster but Trump, not me ,was in charge” Trump by
Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009 | 7
now was still heaving a little but settling down and with some
misgivings, at Miss Foster’s direction I got aboard Trump once
more while she inspected the gear. Discovering several faults
she turned to Mr Perkins and said “Please make sure that Mr
Davies is shown how to adjust these things before you let him
ride that horse again”
My progress in the art of the equestrian was slow, but once I
got some confidence I was soon having a race with my next
door neighbour, shepherd Fred, on my way home.
Confidence brought me undone eventually and I was once
again in front of Miss Foster who took me to task for a report
that I had been seen jumping a fence” Please remember Trump
is a half draught horse. If you are going to jump fences we will
have to give you something different a hack so you don’t kill
yourself’ And so it was that I gained an ex racer with a name
that I have now forgotten.
My adventures with station life ended pleasantly enough and
it was back to Hobart and the fairly humdrum task of building
houses for the Agricultural bank of Tas.
Looking back on those days I am reminded of a yarn spun by
some old sailor at one time.
He spoke of an old shellback, sick and tired of life in the days
of sail set off from London with an oar on his shoulder. Walking
down the street, he was asked: “Why are you carrying that oar?”
his answer “Well when I get to a place when someone asks me
what is that thing you are carrying on your shoulder” I will know
that I am far enough away from the sea and can look for a place
to start a new life.
I don’t recommend a Tasmanian sheep station!
Wal Davies
KNOTT NEWS
Once more I have been diving into the museum’s extensive
photographic collection in preparation for a new display in
the temporary gallery. Amongst the 40,000 or so images I
have located many examples of Tasmanians enjoying leisure
time on the water.
We all know what fun can be had on the water today. That
is clearly evident as the sailing season has just begun. Some
kayakers paddle the Derwent at all times of year and the
surfers thrown themselves at the rough winter waves. In the
past, when maritime industries were thriving, Tasmanians
also enjoyed spending their leisure time on the water – they
couldn’t get enough of it! There were a variety of recreational
activities with something for everyone. Whatever floats your
boat!
Some images that you will see in this exhibition are: the
famous trading ketch race, overdressed ladies in a rowing
dinghy, ferries piled to the gunwales for the Christmas race,
8 | Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009
a solitary wind surfer, rowing eights, ship launch festivities
and the parade of sail to welcome the Queen. There is even
a photo of our president included in this exhibition! Come
and see if you can identify the young Colin Denny winning
the Head of the River race!
The preparation for this exhibition has been a collaborative
effort and has allowed research into the photograph
collection. I trawled through the photos and identified
images of interest. Then the brains trust in the library told
me what was happening in the photo in great detail. The
knowledge in that room is astounding however there was
one photo that initially confused the library researchers
- a yacht masquerading as a British Man O’ War as part of
regatta shenanigans!
“Whatever floats your boat: leisure on the water” will be
showing in the temporary gallery until the end of the year.
The Worthing Lifeboat
The 25th November 1850 was a very stormy night in the
English Channel on the South Coast of England with
extremely strong winds whipping up the waves.
The hardy Worthing fishermen stood on the shore braving the winds to lookout
for signs oaf any vessel that may have been in distress through being caught in
the storm. They maintained their vigil and eventually they spotted a distress flag
approximately 3 miles from the shore, it was a barque with only two of its three
masts intact and all sails had been blown out. The barque was the “Lallah Rookh”.
The fishermen felt it was their duty to go to the aid of the stricken vessel and see
what cold be done for the crew. The Worthing fishermen were the best sailors in
Worthing and there was no shortage of volunteers to put to sea and go to the
Lallah Rookh but it was low tide and impossible to launce a large fishing lugger
that should have been capable of riding the mountainous sea and immediate
help could only be given in an open boat and the best that was available on
the beach was a ferry boat belonging to
the local innkeeper and was capable of
carrying 20 to 30 men.
The local fishermen turned out in force
so there was no shortage of help to drag
the boat across the sand. It was manned
by eleven heroic men and succeeded in
setting out shortly after 8am. The boat
was watched by a telescope from a local
inn and by 9 o’clock nothing could be
seen of the boat.
On the turn of the tide 20 or so of the
fishermen still left on the shore decided
to brave the elements as it was now
possible to launch a larger boat and
set off in a two masted fishing lugger
which could be sailed for 100 miles or so.
When they were close to the dismasted barque they could find no trace of their
colleagues. Captain of the Lallah Rookh was able to get a line to the fishermen
and hauled them close enough to shout to each other above the noise of the
wind. A boat was lowered from the stern davits and altogether about 13 or 14
men were hauled up after a number of these operations. With the assistance of
the men fresh canvas was rigged upon the two remaining masts and the Lallah
Rookh was able to complete the voyage to London.
Eight of the crew on the lugger managed to reach shore where the news that the
first boats crew were all lost. The doomed ferry boat was washed ashore at Hove
some miles along the coast.
Meetings were quickly arranged to see what could be done for the dependents
of the lost crew. Several meetings were held and eventually to have a lifeboat
built. By Christmas 1851 there was still no lifeboat despite all the hard work of
the lifeboat committee. The following April it was announced that a lifeboat that
was self righting was being built. It was not until June 1853 that the lifeboat was
given sea trials. The boat was 27 feet long and 7 feet across the beam and was
Note from the Brig
from Mark, Admin. Officer
Not much to report
from the eyrie above
the museum this
edition as I’ve had my
head down studying.
Regulars at the
museum will
know that before
becoming an aussie, myself and
my partner Mandy lived aboard
a narrowboat on the canals
around Birmingham. I’m often
asked about it and comments
are made along the lines of “I’ve
always liked the idea of that”.
We sold our boat, “Starcross”, to
a friend who has established a
website devoted to the comings
and goings of a typical modern
English canal boat. So, if you
are interested in the UK inland
waterway system and the trials
and tribulations of the “cut”
and have internet access, type
in www.nbstarcross.com and
you can discover that the two
hundred and fifty year old canal
system in England is still a lively
and fascinating place.
powered by 20 oars. During the trials
every effort was made to turn the boat
over without success.
The Worthing Lifeboat was now
operational.
Soon after a lifeboat house was built
and it is my belief that it is still standing
on Marine Parade, it was completed by
the end of 1853.
Addendum
I would like to thank the very efficient
staff of the Reference Section of the
Worthing Library in Richmond Road for
their help in my search for the history of
the Worthing Lifeboat.
By Laurie Bahr
Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009 | 9
N O T E S F R O M T H E C U R AT O R :
16 USE S FOR A D EAD B OAT
(with apologies to the author of 100 Uses for a Dead Cat)
Inspired by the demolition of the Tasmanian ketch Enterprise just days before a recent
visit to Alaska and the Eastern seaboard.
House Boat
Lightship
Roadside ornament
Prop to hold up shed (at least it
held up the floor)
Anchor to keep shed on ground?
Workshop extension
Seed raising cloche
Bar cover
Sign
Roof ornament
Antique shop
Wall feature
Tourist bus
By Rona Hollingsworth
10 | Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009
Planter box at b&b entrance
Or if all else fails –make into pens or plastic wrap till you
decide what to do.
Shipwrights Arms Hotel
(Established 1846)
29 Trumpeter Street, Battery Point
Phone: 03 6223 5551
Situated in the heart of historic Battery Point,
“Shippies” is lined with a unique collection
of Tasmania’s past, both maritime and historical
Owen Humphries (Licensee)
A traditional old English corner pub,
filled with history, tradition, and pride
including photographs of every ‘Sydney to Hobart’ winner
Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009 | 11
Masterpiece@IXL
Fine Art & Antiques
Masterpiece @ IXL
2/ 19A Hunter Street, Hobart, Tasmania
ph. 03 6231 3144 fax. 03 6231 3143
email. [email protected]
www.masterpiece.com.au
MERLE OBERON Face of Mystery, is a fascinating read and has
been produced in a most pleasant manner with beautiful colour
photographs throughout the book.
At present it is available at both Masterpiece and the Maritime
Museum Book Shop .
The best seller ERROL FLYNN and the Sword of Fate is also
available at both venues but is selling fast so get your copy before
we sell out. Both books have been written by Bob Casey and are an
excellent read from start to finish.
+INGå#ARAVANS
#AMPERå4RAILERS
.EWålBREGLASSå
MAXIFRAMEå
CONSTRUCTION
YOUR JAYCO won’t grow barnacles,
you won’t have to row ashore
and definately won’t have to get
%XPANDAå
0OPå4OPåANDå
#ARAVANSå
ååå
OUTBACKåMODELSå
AVAILABLE
up in the middle of the night to
check the anchor.
3TERLINGå#ARAVANS
STANDARDåWITHåmATå
SCRREENå46åANDå$6$å
PLAYERåvåTOåv
#ONQUESTå#å#LASSå
-OTORHOMES
HIGHåROOFåANDåLOWå
ROOFåMODELåAVAILABLE
#NRå!MYå3TåANDå-AINå2OADå
-//.!(å(/"!24åå0HONEå
12 | Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009
•
By Sid Heatley
Zealandia
Zealandia or Z as she was sometimes
known was a twin screw coal fired steamer
built in 1910 by John Brown and Co. Ltd.,
Clydebank for Huddart Parker Ltd. Unlike
earlier ships of her fleet she had quadruple
expansion rather than triple expansion
machinery.
Returning to civilian activities after the war she resumed her place on the SydneyFremantle service which she maintained until the arrival of MV Westralia in 1929.
Zealandia then traded on the Australia-New Zealand route until replaced by the
MV Wanganella. She then ran between Sydney and Hobart and was in that service
until the outbreak of war. In June of 1940 Zealandia was taken over and was a troop
transport once again. This was followed by a trip to Manila and embarked women
and children who had been evacuated from Hong Kong.
When she first came to Australia she was
engaged for some years in the SydneyVancouver service, and they became well
known as a regular passenger liner on
the Sydney-Fremantle service. During the
1914-1918 war Zealandia served overseas
as a troop transport carrying many
thousands of American troops across the
Atlantic. In those days of camouflage she
was given a striking cover of dazzle paint
that was zebra like in appearance.
With the enemy closing in on Australia the need of an efficient land route from
Darwin to Alice Springs became increasingly important. Heavy road making
machinery and men were embarked in Melbourne and Sydney and Zealandia again
steamed north.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I am a great believer in luck,
and I find the harder I work
the more I have of it.”
—Stephen Leacock, Canadian
economist (1869 – 1944)
Following trips were to Singapore with troops stores and materials.
The 19th February 1942 will be chronicled in history as the date of the first enemy
attack on Australian shores. The air seemed full of Japanese planes and across a sky
darkened by the smoke from burning ships and oil there flashed a glare of flak and
the blaze of the first fires.
Zealandia was the last vessel to be attacked. Suddenly a bomb fell down the No. 3
hatch exploding in the hold. The explosion blew down the engine room bulkhead
filling the engine room with smoke and fumes. A near miss holed the starboard
quarter and set fire to the accommodation. Then came the dive-bombers who raked
the ship from masthead height with incendiary bullets and cannon shells. Every
effort was made to extinguish the fires. The engineers gamely stuck to their task in
the smoke filled engine room to supply water for the hoses on deck but with the ship
ablaze from stem to stern the position soon became hopeless.
Ammunition in No.1 hold and on the poops exploded. The order was given to
abandon ship and the crew of 139 officers and men crowded into the boats. As they
pulled away from Zealandia the ship was settling by the stern. Through holes in her
plates made by cannon shells the water flooded the after end and at 1pm she settled
on her side and sank. In view of the heavy machine gunning and bombing it was
remarkable that the casualties were not more numerous.
Prepared for publication by Laurie Bahr
Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009 | 13
Bill Mearns
At
Saddler’s Court Gallery
Invites you to an exhibition
of new paintings by
Bill Mearns F. A. S. M. A.
Exhibition to be opened by
Colin Denny, President of the Maritime Museum of Tasmania
Sunday 15th November at 11am.
Paintings on display Saturday 14th to Sunday 29th November 2009
48 Bridge Street, Richmond | [email protected] | Telephone 036260 2132
Alonnah History Room
Bruny Island
Museum Excursion
Isthmus Lookout. Its a long way to the top 232 steps.
By Peta Knott
On the 30th September, the museums’ admin officer Mark swapped his big
red bus for a smaller white one and cheerily picked up volunteers on the way
to Kettering. Mary Marsh checked off names, handed out maps and we were
on our way to Bruny Island!
Once off the ferry, our first stop was the hike to the top of the isthmus
lookout. Some keen volunteers lessened the agony of the climb by counting
the stairs on the way up, and up… It didn’t matter that everyone got different
results, those that made it to the top enjoyed the superb view.
We stopped off at Morella for a quick cuppa and a group photo. Unfortunately
we were prevented from visiting the cheese factory due to an outbreak of
bacteria (the bad kind!) so it was on to Two Tree Point at Adventure Bay. This
was a watering site for early explorers, and despite the ravages of time, there
are still two distinct trees on the point.
The dedicated caretakers of the Bligh Museum of Pacific Exploration were
kind enough to give us a guided tour of the museum. The small building
is chock full of documents and artefacts from early explorers. It seems
like everyone who was anyone came to Adventure Bay in the 1700s: Bligh
obviously, Tasman, Furneaux and Cook. Pride of the museum is a fragment of
a tree “where Cook tied up”!
With heads full of early explorer knowledge, we picked up our platters from
the local shop and headed out to Hibe. Mary had thought of everything –
even a lovely location in which to eat our lunch. How fortunate – this estate
is also the home of the Bruny Island Chocolate Factory! Many volunteers
stocked up on sweet local products while others analysed the ship models in
the shop!
Our next stop at a vineyard was justified by the boat in the winery! After a
quick look at the boat and a surprisingly speedy wine tasting, Mark weaved
Bligh Museum
our way to the Bruny Island history
room at Alonnah. The local volunteers
had organised the large amounts of
information into thematic reference
volumes. Although there were not
much in the way of artefacts, there were
some token items from shipwrecks and
a map of the local wrecks.
Just in case we were hungry or thirsty
again, we stopped at the Alonnah
slipway for drinks and nibbles.
Currently, some remains of the Hobart
floating bridge are vainly trying to stop
sinking but there are plans to improve
the facilities with more berths for boats.
This was another successful museum
volunteer outing that was ably
organised by Mary Marsh, Tiiu Rabuus
and chauffeured by Mark Hosking. Keep
an eye out for the next excursion!
Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009 | 15
Guild Members L to R Madeleine Rowles, Jeff Wyatt, Col Grundy, Frank Brown.
Madeleine Rowles discussing fancy knot work
Making History
(Knot so hard no. 14 will appear in the next issue)
At the recent Wooden Boat Festival, a little bit of history was being
made on board the May Queen. The craft of knotting and ropework
has been an integral part of boating ever since the first person tied
a couple of logs together to make the first raft. For this reason there
has been some effort to have somebody demonstrating what can
be done with a length of rope at each event. Usually this person
has been installed in a tent with a bunch of other skilled workers
who are likewise demonstrating aspects of their disciplines. At the
2007 event, the lone knotter was joined by two other members
of the IGKT, (International Guild of Knot Tyers) who had travelled
from Sydney to be part of the function. For three days this trio
demonstrated fancy, decorative knotting, fender making,and ran
a speed knotting competition. They also displayed outstanding
examples of ropework supplied by other Guild members in Australia
and overseas and ran an ad hoc consultancy on knotting. All this
required setting up the stall very early each morning and removing
all the items of value late in the afternoon due to the paucity of
security measures. The tent was visited by thousands and the team
were heavily engaged throughout most of the days. All three were
happy to supply their time gratis, and were pleased to receive the
T-shirt supplied to all volunteers. However, it was considered that
there should be an easier way to put on the knotting display.
Last year discussions were held with personnel responsible for
the maintenance of the May Queen and a plan submitted which
involved using some of the hatch area as a display position. The plan
was accepted and all involved informed of the details, including
the organisers of the Festival. While the Australian Guild members
were doing their planning, members of the Guild in England were
independently approached by some of the Festival organisers and
asked for the names of knotters who could put on a show. They
were given the name of the member who had been providing the
service for the past few festivals. When this member reminded
the organisers he and his colleagues would be performing on the
May Queen, the whole idea of having a knotting display in the
shipwright’s tent was evidently abandoned and even forgotten.
As the time for the festival neared the organisers were requested
to supply passes for all those involved in manning the May Queen
including the knotters. This was when the belt tightening policy
was enforced and a pitiful number of passes allocated for May
Queen volunteers, and none for the knotters. Fortunately, the May
Queen P/L Board, in conjunction with the Maritime Museum, who
are responsible for the management of the May Queen, are more
far sighted. In recognition of the added attraction the knotters
16 | Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009
Dave Glasson , Col Grundy and Jeff Wyatt discuss fender making.
would supply, and the years of
voluntary work on the vessel
by the local Guild member,
they paid for the admission of
two of the knotters. The third
knotter had been issued a pass
as he was also exhibiting in the
model boat section.
One of the Guild members
Jeff Wyatt explaining the intricacies of
in the UK, who was actually a rope mat making
past president, informed the
festival organiser when they
were making their enquiries that he would be in Hobart during
the event. This information gave rise to what was virtually an
invitation to take part, but no indication that he would have to
pay the entrance fee each day. Another English Guild member
also timed a trip to Australia so as to be able to attend the festival,
and in due course arrived on the scene, also paying his way in
each day and taking part in the work. This is where history was
made, at least in a small way. Thanks to the decisions made, a lot of
planning, and the willingness of the Guild members to participate,
the first Australian display- meet of the IGKT with interstate and
international representation was held on board the venerable
May Queen. The success of the meet was reflected in the dozens
of attendees who expressed pleasure at finding the display at such
a picturesque and appropriate site. In addition, the meet will be
reported in the IGKT quarterly magazine and read by hundreds
of members in dozens of countries. Good advertising for the
May Queen and the Maritime Museum. All the members agreed
that they had thoroughly enjoyed themselves and that overall
the event was quite spectacular. However, the presence of Guild
members at future events is uncertain and it would be regrettable
if they were absent. It is to be hoped that there will be more
Wooden Boat Festivals, and equally that the May Queen will be
the venue for displays of maritime skills and crafts.
Frank Brown, IGKT
Visitors Book
On the GrapeVine
Wine exports across the Tasman
Giona Elia
Italy
Fantastic
Claude Seiligoj
Ballarat (Vic)
Outstanding exhibition.
James Priest
Redfern (NSW)
Very interesting exhibition
Jean Priest
St Marys (NSW)
Very well set out.
Jim Johnson
Boronia (Vic)
Interesting for an old matelot.
David & Leigh Hanna.
Bridgewater on Loddon.
Robert Venah
St Peters (S.A.)
Amazing presentation, really
impressive and will let people know
it’s here. Fantastic.
Jan Habal
Czech Republic
Very well thanks
Patrick Cerini
Brighton East.
Excellent
Briginshaw
Bay of Fires (Tas)
Beautifully laid out, very well
presented information. I will
recommend it to friends.
to Australia increased by 31%
to $260 million last financial
year. The Sauvignon Blanc from
their Marlborough region is now
the best selling white wine in
Australia. The sales surge has
Poet’s
been driven by an oversupply
of the 2008 vintage due to
increased supply and resulted in
lower prices than before for this
top quality wine.
Get in and stock up while the
going is good.
Finally a good tip when dining
out—
Choose a wine you are familiar
with, as some establishments
employ a ‘mark up’ of up to 200%
and the last thing you want to
do is pay an exorbitant price for
Time passes so quickly.
Riverting stuff
At the Gate.
I humbly beg and pray that I may be forgiven
For having roamed the seven seas
in sail and steam and vessels diesel driven,
CORNER
And other sins,
When at your gate St Peter please
Have pity on an old sea dog and let him into heaven,
If this favour you cannot see your way to do
Then may my soul become a wandering albatross,
An ancient superstition yet it could be true,
Better be for this than the muddy Styx to cross,
To glide o’er southern seas and round Cape Horn too.
something you don’t enjoy. Save
the experimenting for wines you
Submitted by Phil Fowler.
can buy from your bottle shop
or better still, when possible,
purchase from an outlet where
Maritime Museum stalwart Phillip Fowler has not been enjoying the best of health for
some time and all at MMT wish him improved health in the immediate future. Good to
see he has retained his sense of humour and we thank him for this contribution.
you can sample first.
Bob d’Boozer,
can we drink it?
Yes we can!
Errol
still the
‘IN THING’
Errol Flynn is a phenomenon, fifty years after his death
his popularity is such that Foxtel/Austar featured no less
than 19 of his movies during the month of October, each
with re-plays, and he also appeared in movies on ‘free to
air’ TV during this period.
Considering these movies are between 60 and 75 years
old it says a great deal about his ‘staying power’, but, then
again, that shouldn’t be any surprise to us , should it!
Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009 | 17
‘Turf Talk’
with ‘Golden Doubles’.
Some
Melbourne Cup
Stories
In 1876 the three year old Briseis created a record that is never
likely to be equaled. She won the VRC Derby, Melbourne Cup
and VRC Oakes in the space of six days. She was ridden by
Peter St Albans who was just 13 years old.
Tasmanian Malua was another equine wonder winning in 4 states, Tasmania,
Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales from 5 1/2 furlongs in the 1884
Oakleigh Plate to two miles in the 1884 Melbourne Cup. After beating the best
horses in the land over all distances and under WFA conditions this champion
was sent to the stud only to return to racing with a win in the 1886 Australian
Cup followed by an amazing performance to win the 1887 Grand National Hurdle.
Malua was the Australian turfs most versatile champion. Just to put a seal on his
greatness he sired the 1891 Melbourne Cup winner Malvino. Recently a statue
was unveiled honouring Malua in Deloraine (Tas.)
Another Tasmanian to win the big race was Piping Lane in the first metric
Melbourne Cup run in 1972. He was owned by the great Tasmanian trainer Ray
Trinder and after the race Ray and his wife were invited to have a celebratory drink
in the committee room at Flemington Racecourse. As darkness approached they
left carrying a wooden box containing the cup in search of a taxi as they had
arrived at the course by public transport. After a long walk they hitched a ride
with a jockey driving past back to their hotel in the city. That could never happen
in this day and age. If they had managed to get a taxi imagine the driver asking
"what's in the box" only to be told " the Melbourne Cup", " Oh year ! you can get
out and walk smart guy" may well have been the drivers reply. Then again Ray
Trinder was such a lovely gentleman one would have to believe him.
At Flemington racecourse on
Newmarket Handicap day last
March, there were 47 horses
represented in all the GROUP 1
races on the programme.
EVERY ONE of these horses had
links tracing back to the immortal
CARBINE!
The legendary trainer, Bart
Cummings, was once told by a
health inspector inspecting his
stables that he had too many
flies. “ How many should I have? ”
quipped Bart.
DONATIONS
We thank the following members
for their very generous donations
and continued support of the
Maritime Museum –
Jeff Gordon
Frank Ikin
Stuart Lester
Kim Newstead
Daryl Ridgeway
Another young boy to win the Melbourne Cup was 15 year old Ray Neville on the
80-1 outsider Rimfire in 1948. It was just his 14th race ride and he was destined
never to ride another winner, but this was his lucky day as it was later discovered
that the newly adopted photo-finish camera was wrongly positioned and the
race should have been awarded to Dark Marne ridden by top NSW hoop, Jack
Thompson.
The mighty Phar Lap is the shortest priced winner of the Melbourne Cup at 11/8 on.
Makybe Diva is the only horse to win the great race 3 times and her jockey Glen
Boss the first to win it on 3 successive occasions.
This year 'Fashions of the Field' is 47 years old. (remember when went to see the
horses?)
Hope you back the winner----- -----my tip is KIRKLEES.
(if it's as tough as Brett KIRK and as fast as Brett LEE how can it fail to be a winner !)
18 | Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009
The Errol Flynn
Society of Tasmania
founded 1979
To become a member of our happy
band and enjoy our social events,
just contact:
Genene on (03) 62494700 or
[email protected]
You will be made most welcome.
100 Burnett St, North Hobart.
Ph.
62346219 . Traditional Pub . Good Food . Good Beer
“calm before
the storm?”
Don't let your business get caught in stormy conditions!
For independent, objective, business and marketing advice,
talk to Kim Newstead at calm® and enjoy a smooth passage.
Corporate & Leisure Marketing Pty Ltd
23 Thompson Way, Clifton Beach, Tasmania 7020
Telephone: (03) 6248 8644
Fax: (03) 6248 8646
Email: [email protected]
Strategy, Business, Communications & Research Consultants
Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009 | 19
Nautical Crossword
'$1,6+j'(6,*1
9LNLQJ<DUQ*DUPHQWV
-HZHOOHU\xx&UDIWVPDQVKLS
*ODVVZDUHxx$PEHUxx3ULQWV
2872)'(10$5.
VW)ORRU0RUULVRQ6W&QU(OL]
+2%$57:$7(5)5217
:HGWR6DWWRSP3K
Crossword answers on page 23
‘The Dick’ & ‘The Doc’
Quite correct Watson,
but there are some
things that actually go
faster than ever.
I say Holmes, it’s Melbourne
Cup time again, the race that
stops a nation.
The horses, the jockeys and the
punter’s money. Ha Ha Ha.
20 | Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009
Really, what are they
old boy?
The recession is killing
British pubs at an
accelerating rate, an
average of 52 every week
in the first half of the year,
an industry group says. Pub
closures have put 24,000
people out of work in the
past year.
(is it just a coincidence that our
own Laurie Bahr didn’t holiday in
England this year !)
Anyone for Tennis?
If you are interested in a game of
social tennis for mixed groups on
Saturday mornings contact
Mary Spencer on 6228 4726.
LEAKING DECKS?
sEasy to apply
sResistant to weathering & UV
sHighly elastic
sPermeable – lets wood survive
sReady to use
sCrack-bridging
Tasmanian Supplier:
THE FIBREGLASS SHOP
202 ARGYLE ST
HOBART TASMANIA 7000
(03) 6234 2177
Available Australia wide:
Qumont Pty Ltd
(02) 9181 3244
(02) 9181 3467
www.qumont.com.au
Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009 | 21
from the galley
Pork a plenty
From your local butcher, where you no doubt get the best meat, buy 2.5 kg
of pork loin. (ask him to bone it and leave enough belly flap to wrap around to
make a roll). Open out loin and lay skin-down
Next rub with 1tbs salt & 1 tbs freshly ground black pepper
Scatter 6 finely sliced garlic cloves, tyme, sage leaves and ½ cup chopped
parsley. Roll loin into log shape and secure with butchers string at 5cm
intervals.
Pre heat oven to 220c and place pork on rack inside a large roasting tray.
When ready to cook, rub all over with oil and extra salt. Roast for 20mins then
lower temp. to 175c and roast for a further 1 hour (pork is cooked when the
internal core temperature reaches 72c )
Transfer cooked pork to a hot dish and rest for 30 mins in a warm area.
Remove string and carve meat into slices, each with crisp layer of crackling
Serve with braised cabbage, mashed potatoes and red wine jus.
Enjoy with a superb pinot noir – Tasmanian of course.
The Lady Nelson
sailing most weekends
& public holidays
(1 1/2 hour duration)
$15 adults | $5 children
Phone 03 6234 3348
www.ladynelson.org.au
Did you know?
The parachute was invented 120
years before the plane.
Le` Yummy!
Bon Appetit’, Lucky Pierre
(Must have been by a boy scout)
Benjamin’s
Pirate Club
Now for some more stuff from my
book on Pirateology--------The crow’s nest is a lookout platform
set near the top of the mast.
The capstan is a type of winch that is
used to raise the anchor.
A heavy iron anchor keeps the ship
moored to the sea bed.
The ship’s bell is rung to mark each
half hour of a four-hour watch.
Now for my joke-----
My Pirate Adventure.
On Friday 11th September 20 children,
including me, plus the crew went on a
pirate ship called the Lady Nelson. We did
lots of activities, like ‘walk the plank’, ‘pull
down the sails’ and ‘treasure hunting’. The
leader of our group was ‘Barbara the Bold’.
We flew the Jolly Roger and had lots of
fun. My favourite activity was walking the
plank.
22 | Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009
They told us this joke,
Why don’t hedgehogs learn to
share with others ?
Why are pirates dumb ?
Because they aaargh.
‘Shiver me timbers’
Thank you to the pirate crew
who were great, from all us
junior pirates.
(I’ll tell you what that means next
time)
Pirate Ben.
England.
A 47 year old grandmother in Worthing, West Sussex, was refused a
bottle of wine in a supermarket because she could not produce an
ID to prove she was over 18.
SUPPLIERS OF
Bet she loves shopping there with her girlfriends !
MARINE EQUIPMENT
This is the town where our own Laurie Bahr holidays. Wonder if this
happened to him?
AND SAILMAKERS TO
Southampton.
HOBART
SINCE 1964
12-25 Morrison Street, Hobart
GPO Box 1099, Hobart, 7001
Phone. 03 6234 5422 Fax. 03 6223 7797
[email protected]
A thief stole a urinal from the Royal Oak pub, on the English South
Coast. After entering the pub he ordered a half pint of beer and then
made several visits to the toilet.
There he carefully removing a white urinal from the wall, stuffed
it into a rucksack and was captured on closed circuit television
walking out with the bulging sack on his back.
Landlord, Alan Dreja said, “he made a very, very expert job of
dismantling it from the wall and turning the water off. A very
professional job.”
A police spokesman said, “One theory is the guy is some sort of cutprice plumber.”
Fancy the landlord admiring his work, one would have expected him to
be ‘pissed off.’
Still in England.
A sleep-walking computer expert was caught by his wife mowing
the lawn naked at 2am.
“I dread to think how long he had been there because he’d nearly
finished it ” wife Rebekah Armstrong said. The 34 year old Briton
awoke unaware of his feat.
Lucky he wasn’t using the ‘whipper-snipper.’
ANVERS
Confectionery
• Chocolate Tasting • Viewing
• Gardens • Cafe and Museum
Indulge yourselves in a Belgian style breakfast in a chocolate factory,
morning and aĞernoon tea in the old gardens listening to the native birds,
a fine Tasmanian lunch near a cosy wood heater, stocking up on Tasmania’s
finest chocolates or just browsing through the chocolate antique display.
There is ample car and bus parking on site.
Also catering for the quick quality business lunch and corporate presentations in
our own private room.
The “House of Anvers” is a real chocolate taste sensation. It is located on the Bass Highway between
Devonport and Latrobe and is open 7am - 7pm, 7 days a week. Phone: (03) 6426 2958 for bookings
Maritime Times of Tasmania Spring 2009 | 23