in this issue · * inventions and innovations * lighthouses * the sea, sailing ship adventures and...
TRANSCRIPT
our maritime history & present day news. No. 7 Autumn 2004. cost: gold coin donation
in this issueMeet Your Committee
A Cook in Hot Water... part 2
A Schoolboys Tale... part 4
From the Galley
M.M.T. Pirates Club
The Bob Jane Award
Letters to the editor, quiz and
more
Above: ‘Lottah’, a mining town in North-East
Tasmania. Painting by Susan Miller
Footnote: The township of Lottah was surveyed
by John Hurst, Grandfather of William Nevin
Hurst (Surveyor General) and Great Grandfather
of William Nevin Hurst II (proprietor of theMasterpiece Fine Art Gallery, Sandy Bay, where
this painting is presently on display.
Ila Andrews (Member M.M.T.) has identified the
store at the bottom right hand side of this picture
as the Thomas Haley and Son store which was
later moved to Pyengana.
Next issue - Maritime aspects of Bellerive to Sorell railway
Coming soon...we present our case to identify ‘Jack the Ripper’, You, our readers, are invited to be the jury!
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
Assisted by: Larissa Deck, Fran Hall,
Charles & Helen Scarafiotti and
Bernadette Welsh
Design & production:
Ricoh Studio
Phone 6223 4311
Museum photography:
Ricoh Studio
2
Membership Interest
A meeting was held recently by the membership committee
to consider a range of ideas for promoting more
involvemeny opportunity for Museum members. It is felt
that the provision of additional activities and events will
make membership more desirable.
Some suggestions were: visits to the port tower; naval
ships; cruise ships; Incat & other shipyards, Franklin Wooden
Boat Centre; and group visits to other places of interest in
Tasmania.
Also, visiting rights by members to Derwent Sailing
Squadron’s monthly speaker night & formation of a
maritime book club and maritime musical and film
evenings.
The committee will welcome suggestions and assistance
by any members of the Maritime Museum.
Contact Joe Cannon
Ph 6247 9180
QUIZ ANSWERS
Answers
1. La Perouse 2. Adriatic
3. Pluto 4. Robinson Crusoe
5. Lemmings 6. Eddystone Lighthouse
7. Horatio Nelson 8. Foremast
9. Sailors 10. Blue
Who am I: Dennis Conner23
education programFollowing advertisement to schools through email, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of classes visiting the Maritime Museum.
In the third term last year only 10 classes (about 278 children) visited, but this year to date the numbers are 32 classes (about 795 children) of actual and confirmed bookings.Many more activities are now available to visiting classes in the education room above the Museum. An outline of these can be seen on the Museum’s website, by going to www.maritimetas.org/educate.htm and following links grouped as themes.
The 7 themes are: * The Collection * Communication at Sea * Geography, Navigation and Mapping * Inventions and Innovations * Lighthouses * The Sea, Sailing Ship Adventures and Shipwrecks; and * Transport, Passengers and Cargo.
We have arranged visits to the museum at Emita on Flinders Island and to the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Launceston to extend networking between museums around the state. Visits to other museums will be arranged.
Marianne Watson
bookshopMembers are reminded that a well-stocked Bookshop is
attached to the Museum. Please think of the shop when
purchasing presents for friends and relatives, or when adding
books to your own library.
A wide selection of titles is held and members are entitled
to 10% discount off marked prices. The shop also has some
books by authors who are associated with the Museum, they
include Michael Nash, Audrey Hudspeth, Dan Sprod, John
Sargent, Stuart Lester and Bern Cuthbertson.
PIRATE CLUB QUIZ
ANSWERS:
1. Micecream
2. Micey-poles
3. Mice-cubes
4. Mice Bubbles
behind the scenesResearch Query From Library
Does anyone know the whereabouts of former launch, ‘Shangri-La’?
Last heard of in Tasmania and renamed ’Turana’.
Responses to Geoff Andrewartha or Audrey Hudspeth.
5. Mewseum
6. They were frightened
he would steal the show
7. Caterpillar (butterfly)
quick quiz1. Which Frenchman sailed into Botany Bay only six days after the
First Fleet and is commemorated by a settlement on the north
shore of the bay?
2. What sea is between Italy and Croatia?
3. In 1930 what was the last of our planets to be discovered?
4. Alexander Selkirk’s marooning for four years on one of the Juan
Fernandez Islands off Chile was the inspiration for which novel by
Daniel Defoe?
5. Which furry animals had the reputation of overpopulating and
marching into the sea and drowning themselves, although this is
now much discredited?
6. What structure was famously constructed at Eddystone by
Englishman John Smeaton in 1756?
7. Lady Emma Hamilton was the lady friend of which British Naval
hero?
8. On old-time sailing ships what did they call the mast nearest the
bow?
9. A hornpipe was a dance especially common among which men in
bygone days?
10. What colour is ultramarine?
WHO AM I ?
In a maritime sport, I was born in the US in 1941 (10 points)
I was first to lose a prestigious trophy in 132 years (8 points)
Four years later at Fremantle I regained the said trophy (6 points)
I led my country in 8 America’s Cup campaigns (4 points)
My surname begins with C (2 points)
I am Dennis ? (1 point)
Answers on next page
advertising
We are delighted to add some
new names to the growing list
of advertisers in our quarterly
newsletter. This will result in us
being able to produce a bigger and
better publication in the future. If
you know of any company which
could be interested in joining this
select group you may like to contact
them on our behalf or contact Bob
Petrass on 62251004.
THE FOLLOWING RATES APPLY:-
1/8 Page $15 – per issue
1/4 Page $ 20 “ “
1/2 page $ 35 “ “
Full Page $ 50 “ “
Members are also invited to insert
small advts in our “Buy-swap-sell”
section at no cost.
new tie for MMT
An attractive top-quality non-slip tie has been professionally designed for the Museum. On a navy blue background there are diagonal gold “rope bars”, each 5mm wide and spaced 50 mm apart, and featuring the MMT logo.At $25 it is
an inexpensive and tasteful item.
Place your orders now with the
museum staff on 62341427.
22
Most Urgent
Would those members who have
already ordered a tie please collect
same from Rolf Omant ASAP.
The Lady Nelson
sailing most weekends & public holidays
(1 1/2 hour duration)
$6 per person
Phone 03 6234 3348
www.tased.edu/tasonline/ladynel
editorialAt sea(again)
On 14th March I did my second trip on Spirit of Tasmania III. This time it was the real
deal, travelling the full trip from Devonport to Sydney. The last trip was from Hobart to
Devonport so this time I was able to enjoy a longer cruise.
Once again the food was as good as a top restaurant and the service all that one could
desire. The Errol Flynn Cinema caused much interest among many of the tourists I spoke
to and the general consensus was that Tasmania should be doing a lot more to promote
tourism interest in this world famous, Tasmanian born, screen legend. The Reading Room
is named in honour of another famous Tasmanian, renowned writer and painter Louisa
Anne Meredith, and was well patronised throughout the voyage.
A common complaint amongst the many people I spoke with was the fact that the ship
was not travelling the famous route to Hobart. Actually I was surprised by the number
of people who said they had spent the previous night in Hobart and had to drive the
300km to Devonport to board the ship. This could be seen as bad planning on their part
but then again it is the tourist’s right to decide where they want to finish their last night
in Tassie and it seems that many preferred the bright lights of Hobart. The cruise was
very smooth as we did not encounter any of the rough seas this ship has met in recent
times. Perhaps a slower, more leisurely trip is the answer to this problem.
Manager, Customer Relations TT Line, Gary Coates (far left) shows media representatives
over the spacious bridge on Spirit of Tasmania III during its maiden voyage from Hobart
to Devonport on 2nd January, 2004.
Speaking of more leisurely trips, my return trip from Melbourne was disappointing in so
much as the ship doesn’t sail until 9pm (too late to dine) and arrived before 7am(who
wants to get up at 6am for breakfast when on holidays?) The original S.O.T. sailed at 6pm
and after a couple of drinks and a leisurely dinner you could retire for the night knowing
you didn’t have to get up at dawn if you wanted to have a good breakfast before starting
your Tasmanian adventure. The way it is now you get on board, go to bed,wake up and
you’re there! Might as well fly. Ask anyone who has travelled with the T.T.Line and most
will tell you the leisurely cruise was a highlight of their holiday. Getting somewhere in
a hurry may be a cost saving but it is always worth paying more to fully enjoy a trip.
Progress is well and good but you would have noticed the number of times I mentioned
the word LEISURE and after all isn’t that what holidays are all about?
Bob Petrass
P.S I must mention the wonderful welcome the ship got when approaching Sydney Harbour. The sailing ships James Craig and The Endeavour sailed through the Heads to greet us, light aircraft and a helicopter flew above us and people on various watercraft waved as we sailed across the famous harbour. Then as we sailed under the old coat hanger 4 groups of bridge walkers waved enthusiastically (how did they know I was aboard?) Finally, within 10 minutes of disembarking I had crossed the bridge heading to North Sydney – Great! However 15 minutes later traffic came to a standstill as it neared the spit bridge – Sydney traffic! How lucky we are to live in Tasmania.
Closing date for our next newsletter is the
31st July. Please lodge your articles by
that date in the box provided at MMT, or
email direct to [email protected]
3
stop pressCheer, Cheer the Red & White
The red and white colours are flying all
over Australia this month to celebrate
Tasmania’s own Mary Elizabeth
Donaldson becoming ‘Crown Princess
of Denmark’ following her marriage to
“Crown Prince Frederik”.
Mary has done Australia proud and
deserves all the praise bestowed
on her by the world media. She
has conducted herself in a manner
befitting a future queen and has really
put Tasmania on the map.
On behalf of all Tasmanians may we
take this opportunity to wish the
couple a wonderful future together
and perhaps, tongue in cheek, offer
a suggestion that their first born be
called “Tassie”.
May God bless them both.
4
Corner Harrington & Warwick Streets6234 8678
Pirate ClubThe Maritime Museum now has a special place on its website for children - The
Pirate Club. There are lots of fun activities for children of all ages including games,
riddles and jokes. Children can also send in drawings, paintings, riddles, poems
etc to be published on the website. Check it out at: http://www.maritimetas.
org/pirate_club.htm
Marianne Watson.
MEMBERS AND/OR FRIENDS
ENROL YOUR FAVOURITE UNDER 11 YEAR OLDS
IN THE PIRATE CLUB
FOR JUST $5 PER YEAR AND FOSTER THEIR INTEREST
IN OUR MARITIME WORLD.
PIRATE CLUB QUIZFrom Benjamin (5 ½ year old, Sandy Bay)
1. What dessert do cats like?
2. What do cats like on hot days?
3. What do cats put in their drinks?
4. What do cats eat for breakfast?
5. Where do cats go to be educated?
6. Why wouldn’t they let the cat into the flea circus?
7. What cat will grow wings and fly?
Recent Comments In Our Visitor Book
Ron Herbert Wentworth Falls NSW “fascinating & educational”
Paul Scott Connells Point NSW “very moving & worthwhile”
D McKenzie Kenmore Hills QLD “adsorbing”
Jaques Guilavrons France “interesting”
Dag Hamil Norway “superb”
S & N King Cairns QLD “very interesting”
Luke Wilcock Afganistan “it is good”
lauren Sloan Kenmore NSW “most impressive, well done, thankyou”
Icol Family Mexico “great”
B D Rizzo Perth WA “excellent display”
Newland Whyalla “ fantastic stuff”
Gavan Walkingshan Wiltshire, England “an excellent museum”
21
How much does it cost a pirate to have his ears pierced?
A Buck-An-Ear
ON THE GRAPEVINE
It is a culinary myth that poor wine
may be used in cooking.
If the wine is not worth drinking it is
not worth cooking with.
Toss it out.
Life’s too short to drink bad wine.
“Bob the Boozer”
did you know?The United States, which accounts
for about 6 percent of the world’s
population, consumes nearly 60
percent of the world’s resources.
Seven percent of the entire Irish
barley crop goes to the production of
Guinness beer.
Mel Blanc, the voice of Bugs Bunny,
was allergic to carrots.
An airline saved $40,000 by removing
one olive from every salad in first
class.
Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent
Roberts.
The average Chinese family has 3
bicycles and no car.
The yo yo originated in the
Philippines where it was used as a
weapon in hunting.
Both Hitler and Napoleon were
missing one testicle.
267 Argyle Street Hobart 7000
For the BEST deal on a new TOYOTA
telephone
MARK BOSTOCK on
0362 301 917 or
0419 565 727
20
around the world...
Chile A giant octopus 10m long that was washed ashore on a Chile beach has been sent to
France for scientists to examine.
In London shoppers should soon get a trolley that uses satellite navigation to advise them of specials in each aisle and tally their purchases.
Kuala Lumpur 7 men struggled for over an hour to lift a huge python, that had swallowed a goat in a southern Malaysian village, so it could be taken to the zoo.
New Zealand������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������in the church during the ceremony and later placed in a hall for the reception. (Wonder if the caterers charged for one extra (Ed) )
Germany A motorist was caught barrelling down an autobahn with a coffin containing his mother’s body, strapped to
the roof. He told police he wanted to save on funeral costs. He now face a fine for up to $8000.
Japan Researches have found that the sound of a constantly ringing mobile phone could trigger eczema and dermatitis.
Playing computer fighting games can have the same effect because of the stress factor.
India A 3 year old boy has made the Limca Book of Records for his ability to recognise different cars. He can recognise 540
and can also point out differences between different editions of the same car.
Melbourne The threat of industrial action by C.U.B. workers recently could have seen $300,000 worth of Victorian Bitter
go down the drain. (Perish the thought).
did you know?DUBLIN – Mobile phone users will soon be able to
dial a dolphin, if a scheme to record their under water
conversations proves a success.
Scientists at a dolphin sanctuary off the west coast of
Ireland have teamed up with British mobile telecom’s giant
Vodaphone to transmit the clicking and whistling sound of
the bottle nosed dolphins.
“In theory you could phone up and listen to dolphins while
sitting in a traffic jam in Dublin,”
Apart from being a possible stress reliever, the project could
lead to a greater understanding of dolphins’ lives.
The aim is to install underwater microphones in the
Shannon estuary, the only place in Ireland where dolphins
are residents all year round.
One difficulty is that dolphins use a wide frequency band
when they communicate, of which humans can hear only a
fraction.
president’s notes
The Maritime Museum owes a great deal to its many benefactors whose generosity allows
the display of a magnificent historical maritime collection.
Almost every day the Museum receives offers of manuscripts, photographs or other items
of maritime interest to add to the collection. Our resources are limited, consequently the
identification, evaluation and recording of these new acquisitions is a difficult task. In
addition, our display space is limited so we cannot exhibit all the artefacts we receive.
Nevertheless, the Museum will soon
display its most valuable recent
acquisition, Sir John Franklin’s brace
of percussion pistols, made in 1836 by
Samuel Nock of London. The pair of
pistols, with all accessories, are in their
original mahogany case with a carry
handle inscribed “James Clark Ross to
Sir John Franklin”.
Captain James Clark Ross and Captain
Francis Crozier arrived in Van Diemens
Land in August 1840 aboard HMS
Erebus and HMS Terror. Ross was in
command of an expedition in search
of the south magnetic pole but
before leaving for the Antarctic, he
established Ross Bank Observatory
on the Domain with the help of
Lieutenant-Governor Sir John
Franklin. The primary purpose of
the observatory was to take regular
magnetic readings to assist the Ross
scientific expedition.
HMS Erebus and HMS Terror returned to Hobart in April 1841, where Captain Ross presented Franklin with the pistols to thank him for establishing the magnetic observatory.
Franklin governed Van Diemens Land from 1836 to 1843. He was a noted naval officer and explorer, serving under his uncle, Matthew Flinders, on HMS Investigator during the 1801-04 survey of the Australian coastline. He served with distinction on HMS Belerophon at the battle of Trafalgar. However, Sir John Franklin’s term as governor was turbulent. Lady Jane Franklin noted that her husband was happiest when with his friends Ross and Crozier as they wintered in Hobart with their polar research vessels in 1840 and 1841.
Sadly, the two ships HMS Erebus and HMS Terror were to take Franklin and Crozier to their deaths in the Arctic near Labrador when Franklin commanded his expedition in search of the North-West Passage.
Sir John Franklin’s pistols have been in Tasmania since their presentation in 1841. They are an important addition to the Museum’s collection, having a strong link to polar maritime exploration and to Van Diemens Land’s history.
The museum values all its benefactors and all those who work to preserve and display the artefacts so that everybody can visit and enjoy them.
Colin Denny
May 2004
BOB JANE AWARD
The Bob Jane T-Mart Award for
unTYREing work on behalf of the
M.M.T. goes to Fran and Don Hall,
who not only do volunteer work
for the museum, but are also
always available at short notice
to transfer any handwritten and
sometimes hard-to-read items for
this newsletter on to floppy disc.
Congatulations.
5
did you know?Although Tasmania is about twice the size of Denmark we have less
than 10 % of their population.
new members
We welcome the following new members to our association.
Nan & Mickey Benefiel Family
Graham Brownell Individual
Joseph Charlton Volunteer
Angus Downie, AM Individual
Josef Giedl Quarterdeck
Stuart Harris Volunteer
Ian James Family
Isobel Long Interstate
Doug Petrass Interstate
Mick Petrass Interstate
Members - enrol a friend now!
Sir John Franklin
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
6
BUY. SWAP. SELL
Wanted to buy (or hire):
16 mm film projector
Phone Nevin Hurst 6223 2020
Wanted to buy:
Book by Commander J. G. Bisset
“Ship Ahoy” (Nautical Notes for Ocean
Travellers)
Please telegraph Ian Napier
6228 3569 / 0412 925 675
Semaphore: [email protected]
membership feesCategories of membership and annual fees effective each year 1 July to 30 June (including G.S.T.)
Individual $27.50
Family $38.50
Concessions: $15.00
Interstate $16.50
Quarterdeck $25.00 plus $275.00 donation
Life Membership $1000 once only, or 4 years Quarterdeck membership
Note: the list as published in
Newsletter Number 6 was incorrect.
22.4.04
Dear Bob,
�������������� ������������������������������������������������������
Dear Fellow Volunteer
I would like to thank those who organised the Morning Tea on the 23rd March as a
farewell and the President for the presentation of “Tasmanian ShipWrecks Vol 2”. This
was quite unexpected.
It was a coincidence that those of us who first met to consider the establishment of a
Maritime Museum in Hobart did so on the 28th March 1972 thirty two year earlier. I am
proud to acknowledge that my involvement with the Museum has been a continuous
one since then, during those years I served tor periods as Committeeman and President.
When I retired as President in 1979 Mr M D Geeves became President, I continued on
the committee. My role as an attendant commenced when I was Chairman and we
had the Official Opening of the Museum on 7th December 1974 by the then Minister
for Tourism Mr Brian Miller MLC who presented us with a cheque for $1000. Members
available as attendants at that time were few but we managed. We were then housed in
the Long Room at St Georges Church, made possible by the Rector Rev Beaven and his
Vestry and we remained there until we took up residence at Secheron House in 1983
when we had an Official Opening by Sir James Plimsoll.
Secheron House gave us an opportunity to display many more exhibits than was
possible in the Long Room. At Secheron we changed our opening from 10.am to
4.30pm. Visitors were often waiting when we arrived, only one attendant was on duty
in those days. Sue Fowler occupied the flat as our Caretaker and that was helpful.
It is disappointing we are still unable to display many of our exhibits such as the
Harpoon and Gun from the Cheynes 2,which was quite an attraction at Secheron, an
Anchor from the Lake Illawarra and other valuable items- In April 1990 Ken Hudspeth
wrote to me saying that, if I agreed the Committee proposed to recommend to the
AGM that I should be declared a Life Member in recognition of my past and continuing
contribution to the Museum-1 declined as I felt my reward was in the pleasure I
received from the contribution I was able to make to the success of the Museum. I will
be remaining a member of the Museum and wish all Volunteers well.
������������
Dear Sir
On a recent visit to the Maritime Museum I was disgusted by the exhibition in the
upstairs Carnegie Gallery. The item I considered most offensive was displayed right
at the entrance and could be clearly seen by anyone using the stairway. At the time
there were dozens of primary school children visiting the children’s educational
area upstairs and they should not have been subjected to having to walk past such
pornographic material. If this so called ‘art’ must be shown, keep the door shut and
put a sign on it warning decent people of the contents inside. This is not the first time
offensive material has been displayed in this gallery - in fact, it appears to be on the
increase.
‘Disgusted” (Battery Point)
Unfortunately this area is not partof the Museum and isa under the control of the Hobart
City Council. I suggest you direct you complaint to that body. (Ed)
it’s a new boy!
Alexander Peter Deck was born at
5:10pm on 22nd April 2004. Weighing
4175g, he is a healthy boy with dark curly
hair. He was 13 days late, so it’s been
suggested that he should be known as
“Alexander the Late”. Seriously, though,
Mum and baby are doing fine, while first
son Lachlan and Dad are adjusting well
to the new man in the family.
19
our north, without being able to see the
unmarked watery graves were so many
courageous and heroic men and women
such as Teddy Sheean rest today, thousands
of miles from home and their grieving
families.
Australian war graves can be found all over
the world, from many wars. Sadly, as the
years roll on, the efforts of our forefathers
are less well known. I ask you, on ANZAC
Day, to remember the many Australians,
including the returned servicemen here
with us today, who have fought the good
fight for Australia. We must treasure ANZAC
Day as a special day, when we recall with
pride the efforts of Australians to stand up
together for worthwhile principles.
I also ask you to take up the challenge of
peace in your own life, remembering the
challenges of war faced by our returned
servicemen and women. The many
problems that face our world today require
our commitment and perhaps there is
a special challenge for you that appears
insurmountable on ANZAC Day. We should
ask ourselves, how would the returned
veteran, or Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean,
expect us to face these challenges? If we
can draw from the contributions of those
who have gone before us, I suggest that
the right course of action will emerge for
us, and our veterans efforts well have been
remembered in a practical way that certainly
would please them.
Thank you”
What is the worst fear you have of a
problem at sea? Storm, tempest, rigging
failure, running out of fuel? Well, some of
these things can be tolerated or corrected
without too much drama, but in my opinion
the worst possible thing that can happen,
other than having the mother in law drop
in by helicopter, is FIRE.
AN incident that comes to mind took place
somewhere south of Adventure Bay where
during a period of motor sailing, on the Port
tack, the first mate announced that there
was a “hot” smell down in the cabin. The
skipper declared it a case of imaginitus and
dismissed the comments, until some few
minutes later when he went about onto
the Starboard tack and as the breeze had
by then picked up a bit he cut the cast iron
topsail. Almost immediately smoke came
from the cabin and panic stations were the
order of the day. First mate to the helm
and skipper grabbed the first available
fire extinguisher, ripped the cover off the
engine box whereupon flames leaped
out at him Two fire extinguishers later the
flames were subdued and the boat was
opened up to get rid of the volumes of
smoke. It was painfully obvious that there
was a short circuit and the wiring was over
heated, so the battery was isolated and the
wiring began to cool. Can you imagine the
distress of the master, no battery power,
wiring virtually burnt out and all this on a
g.r.p. boat, far from home. Well at least he
was able to sail home, after a couple of sips
to stop the knees from shaking.
Back at the moorings the situation was
analyzed. It seems that the starter solenoid
had welded itself closed and the wiring
could not stand the continuous current
drain without overheating to the stage
where the plastic covered insulation melted
and a proper short occurred between a
positive and earth. On close inspection,
the hoses from the diesel lift pump to
the injector pump and the excess return
line from the injectors were almost burnt
through. Had these leaked, fuel would have
been sprayed onto the red hot wiring and
from upstairsFire Down Below
with the engine running, the fire would
rage out of control. It seems that while on
the port tack with the engine running, all
the smoke was being drawn through the
motor and discharged underwater, where
the smell was not noticeable. When the
motor was stopped all this changed.
Lifting the engine box lid was the next
mistake. Letting air into the box exacerbated
the problem and wasn’t he lucky to have
two fire extinguishers on hand? What do
we leam from all this?
from overheating the wiring should be
installed in each circuit where such a
possibility might occur, such as a circuit
breaker.
investigate and evaluate every such
comment however minor or whatever the
source.
box should be available without opening
the whole area, or, even better ,an
automatic fire suppressant system that
stops the motor and injects some vapour,
like carbon dioxide.
make sure that all crew (and new comers)
are fully briefed on the action they are
expected to take in an emergency.
smell) shut down the motor and turn off
the battery.
In this case the owner was lucky to be on a
proper boat (one with a mast and sails as
well as a motor) and was able to sail home.
Dont let anyone tell you that diesel wont
burn, it is not as volatile as petrol but it will
certainly support combustion if it is leaking
onto burning electrical wiring as a result of
a damaged hose.
Don Mitchell
Should have called R.A.C.T. (Ed)
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I am a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.
Stephen LeacockCanadian Economist(1869 - 1944)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Whilst in Melbourne I participated in the
Edithvale/Aspendale RSL ANZAC Day Service
and was delighted that the guest speaker,
Lieutenant Anthony Nagle of HMAS Cerberus,
featured a real Tasmanian hero, “Teddy”
Sheean in his talk. I congratulate him on an
extremely well delivered speech and thank him
for allowing us to publish it in our newsletter
(Ed)
“It is a great privilege for me to represent the
Royal Australian Navy and HMAS Cerberus
and to give this years address. The theme
for the address today is that we have an
obligation to continue to ‘fight on’ in peace
time, facing new challenges, in the same
way our veterans faced adversity in many
wars. Our servicemen and women fought
in a belief that their various contributions
would help to make a better world, and we
should seek to honour their contributions
by striving for our best in our daily lives.
I would like to recall the commitment and
courage of an Australian sailor named Teddy
Sheean from the Second World War to
amplify this theme although that campaign
is now growing distant, we should never
over look the courage and commitment of
all Australians who have gone before us. The
story of Teddy Sheean is one that I am sure
will inspire you.
Australians can be proud of a true Aussie
hero, eighteen year old ordinary Seaman
Edward “Teddy” Sheean.
On the 21st April 1941, Edward “Teddy”
Sheean volunteered to join the Royal
Australian Navy as an ordinary seaman
from Latrobe, Tasmania. Soon afterwards, he
joined the new bathurst class corvette ship
HMAS Armidale.
The ship left the shores of Sydney on the
22nd august 1942 for what was to be the
last time. The Armidale was attached to
support Australian operations and help to
replenish allied forces in Timor on the 1 st
of december 1942 on route to Timor, the
Japanese launched bombers and fighters to
attack the Armidale.
Enemy planes came from all directions,
including nine bombers, three fighters and
a float plane. After two explosions from a
Japanese aerial torpedo rocked the ship,
the Armidale sustained crippling damage
and began listing to ‘port’. The
commanding officer, Captain Richards
gave the order to “abandon ship.”
Cowardly and savagely the Japanese aircraft
began machine-gunning the Armidale
survivors in the water who were trying to
swim to safety. When Ordinary Seaman
Teddy Sheean saw his ship mates being
killed, although having been wounded twice
himself, he manned the aft 20mm Oerlikon
Antiaircraft Gun and began shooting at the
attacking aircraft.
Sheean unselfishly protected his shipmates
in the water as he downed one aircraft
and damaged two others. Bravely Sheean
continued to protect his shipmates
disregarding his own safety. Knowing the
fate he sealed for himself, he stayed at
his post attacking the onslaught of the
Japanese aircraft as the ship slipped down
to its watery grave. In the words of F B
Walker:
“The men in the water gasped in amazement
as they saw the blood stained, desperate
youngster wheel his gun from target to
target... Then came the most incredible sight
of all - the ship plunged down and the sea
rose up past Sheean’s waist to his shattered
chest, but he still kept firing, and as the gun
itself was dragged into the sea, its barrel kept
recoiling and shots kept pouring from it. Even
when there was nothing left of the ship above
water, tracer bullets from Sheean’s gun kept
shooting up from under the water in forlorn,
bizarre arcs, it was an act of sublime and
selfless, heroism.”
47 of the 149 men aboard lost their lives
but many of the survivors owe their lives to
Teddy Sheean for his gallant act of bravery
on 1 December 1942. Four weeks short of
his 19th birthday, Ordinary Seaman Teddy
Sheean died to save his mates.
There’s no coincidence that the word ‘ship’
is in so many of the words that we, as
Australians, like to characterise ourselves by
today words such as hardship, comradeship,
relationship, partnership, companionship,
friendship and mateship. Mateship.....as
Teddy Sheean knew....was interchangeable
with the word shipmate.Teddy Sheean knew
the value of all these words I mentioned and
selflessly gave his life to honour them.
In May 1999, the Royal Australian Navy
honoured Teddy by naming its fifth Collins
Class Submarine after him. This is believed
to be the first warship in the history of
Australian or British navies to be named
after an ordinary seaman.
Why then is the story of Ordinary Seaman
Edward Sheean relevant to us now? The
theme I mentioned at the outset is worth
recalling we, the succeeding generations,
have an eternal obligation to remember
the efforts of women and men who have
served Australia in war. We can honour
their contributions by trying to live in the
manner they would have expected from us.
This is a challenge, as outlined in 1946 by a
RAAF pilot, who had spent his school years
in the Geelong area, by the name of John
Gorton - later Australia’s 24th PM.
When speaking at a service marking the
first Anzac Day after WW2, Mr Gorton noted
that the returned servicemen would seek us
to secure advances for our community and
our country - to reduce poverty, increase
education and improve our spiritual
standard of living; and for Australians to
take their place in the world, not as a self-
sufficient sealed off unit, but as a respected
member of the international family’. He
added that ‘the foundation stones have
been laid in war, so in peace we continue to
build’.
Mr Gorton’s words are most relevant today,
as we face many new challenges, such as
preserving our environment, assisting our
fellow aboriginal Australians, and helping
other nations such as Iraq to live peacefully
and with freedom. These are the areas in
peace we can build on so how do we do
this as individuals? Our efforts may not
seem much, but it is valuable to reflect on
the practical issues that confront us daily,
where you and I could contribute to a better
Australia. For example:
Do we respect our community and our
nation? Do we attend church?
Do we work, not just for money, but to
contribute to our society?
Do we play sport with a sporting attitude?
Do we behave as leaders for our youth?
Do we read to learn from history and do we
have a quest for excellence?
These are some ways that we can ‘fight on’,
to be worthy of the wartime efforts that we
commemorate today. I can imagine sailing
those endless waters in the Arafura Sea to
Anzac Day 2004
18
sponsor - shipThank you to all our sponsors for
keeping us afloat. To become a
sponsor, call Bob on 6225 1004
Liferaft Systems. The Mercury K&D Warehouse Mitre 10
Tasmanian Shipping Supplies
S.S. Maritime Times of Tasmania
to let
7
notes from the curator
Our next temporary display to replace the
‘Images from Glass’ Bicentennial exhibition
will be called ‘Serendipity’. The word
‘Serendipity’ refers to surprising discoveries
and the display will be based on some of
the many interesting stories unearthed
At left: Amundsen’s vessel,
Fram in Hobart. Local ladies
complained about the noise of
barking dogs at night when she
was anchored off Sandy Bay.
while we researched the Museum’s document
collection.
For example we will be showing the journal
of a 19 year old ship’s surgeon on his way to
Launceston in 1873. During the voyage he shot
albatrosses for entertainment,
tested out poison on a Cape
Pigeon and challenged the
second mate to a duel - the
result of an argument about
an oatmeal poultice. He also
pulled a tooth, treated injuries,
and took 3 pints of blood
from the first mate who was
‘suffering all the symptoms of an apoplectic
fit’, (a term often used to describe a stroke).
Another journal to be featured was written
by Daphne Villiers while sailing in one of the
last great grain races from South Australia to
Europe. We will also be including the cash
book from a whaling ship showing the old lay
system of payment; the discharge certificate
of a crew member on the Lake Illawarra
signed the day after the bridge was knocked
down; a photo album of the Fram during its
sojourn in Hobart; and bills of lading showing
the export of timber and fruit from Tasmania
- and the import of huge amounts of sugar. It
will be a very varied display – something of
interest for everyone!
We are very grateful to have received funding
for the exhibiton from Arts Tasmania.
Rona Hollingsworth
Curator
The Oyster Cove Marina, Chandlery & Brokerage
If you are...
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Chandlery
Buying or selling
6267 4418
6267 4300
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Come down and see us at Kettering. Open 7 days.
Our hours are: Monday - Friday 0830 - 1700 hrs Saturday: 0900 - 1600 hrs Sunday & Public Hols: 0930 - 1230 hrs Phone: 03 6267 4300
8
from the galleyGwennie’s Pea and Ham Soup
17
Nothing is better on a cold winter’s night than a large bowl of pea and ham soup with
crusty bread. This recipe is the one they make in heaven.
ingredients:
Yellow Split Peas
Green Split Peas
Smoked Bacon Bones
Ham Hock
Chopped Onions
Chopped Carrots
Chopped Celery (only 2/3 sticks)
Water
White Pepper
Salt (just a pinch)
After placing everything into a large pot, ensure
water level is double the other ingredients. Place on high heat for 10 minutes, then
simmer on low heat for 2 plus hours.
Before serving throw away bones and blend until smooth.
ingredients:
2 crayfish I lemongrass blade 1/2 red chilli or I tspn chilli sauce 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley 50 ml wine vinegar 5 g white peppercorns 1 lime
1 tbsp chives
Combine parsley, peppercorns, half the vinegar and half the lemongrass (finely
chopped) in water. Bring to boil. Split crayfish lengthwise. Discard grit from the
head. Lift flesh from the shell and replace. This will enable flesh to be taken out
of the shell more easily when cooked.
Put crays into a steamer. Spoon over remainder of lemongrass (sliced), thinly sliced
chilli (seeds excluded) or 1 tspn chilli sauce and place over boiling liquid. Cover and
steam for about 12 minutes until almost cooked. Remove from heat.
Reduce small ladle of steaming liquid and the remaining wine vinegar by two
thirds. Finish by stirring in juice of the lime. Strain into warmed sauce boat and add
chopped chives.
To serve, place pre-heated plates on table with steam basket in the middle
accompanied by milled pepper and a green salad with a lemon and olive oil
dressing Steamed or boiled potatoes are a good accompaniment.
It is a good idea to buy lobsters live and immerse them in fresh water before cooking
Cook in boiling water with 1/2 lemon and 1 tbsp sugar for 10-12 minutes.
apologyLast issue ‘Lucky Pierre’ gave you
his wonderful recipe for “Chinese
Honey King Prawns”.
Unfortunately a gremlin got into
the printer and suggested the
main ingredient was 500g fresh,
raw, peeled ONIONS (preferably
large ones). Obviously this should
have read PRAWNS. If anybody
followed the recipe without
realizing this printing error we
hope you enjoyed a delicious
meal of “Chinese Honey King
Onions”. Now for his latest offering
...see at right ( he insists on proof
reading himself this time). Ed
Crayfish Taylor
Serves 2 or 4 hungry lobster lovers
(Courtesy of top W.A. chef, Chris Taylor)
Museum helpers required
The Maritime Museum of Tasmania,
Hobart is seeking volunteers to work
in reception. They will be required
to work half a day once a fornight.
Contact John Wedd on 6234 1427,
9am-5pm, 7 days.
welcome aboard
The Shipwrights Arms Hotel, or
‘Shippies’ as us locals know it is
under new management and we
welcome licensee Gordon Latimer
to the fold. We know he will uphold
its tradition as “the best little pub in
Hobart”.
16
Communications! What a very important
word. In recent times we have had an
explosion with the introduction of
telephones, radio, television, satellite
telephones just to name a few. In older days
we heard of smoke signals, and I believe
that our own Aboriginals used this system,
made by the hunters to the females of the
tribe to indicate that they had made a kill, so
“come and get it”. I also understand the party
approaching a near-by tribe would make
smoke signals to let the other tribe know
that they were there, and their intentions
were not hostile.
A very early system of distant signalling
occurred in V.D.L. in 1804. Two convicts
had been placed on Betsy’s Island with
instructions to light a fire and make smoke
at the appearance of any vessel. This they
did for the first time on Thursday 14th of
June 1804.
In England about 1827 the first type of
moving arm telegraph semaphore was
introduced. This was a single pair of arms
on a tall mast or pole, but this system was
again improved about the 1830’s by the
introduction three sets of arms on a pole
or mast. The arms were operated from the
ground level using a system of chains and
sprockets.
As a teenager in the sea scouts, I was
introduced to semaphore signalling which
is a method using one’s own arms, holding
small flags (usually red and orange diagonals
on small wands). The arms are moved in
progressive 45o angles. Each position of the
arms indicates an alphabetical letter so that
each word is spelt out. Before the outbreak
of WW2 I joined the Royal Australian
Naval Reserve as an “Ordinary Seaman”
Communications, and I learned a lot more
about flag semaphore in that capacity.
In Later years, I was very surprised to discover
that telegraph semaphore had nothing
to do with alphabetical letters, but was
concerned with numbers which were sent
in groups and the receiver referred these
groups to a code book to find the words.
For example the group 343 represented the
word “forgotten” and the group 2090 was
“remembered”.
I was further puzzled by the use of three
sets of arms. First of all, imagine one’s right
arm held out 45o down from horizontal, this
means the number 1. The arm horizontal
means number 2. The arm up 45o from
horizontal means number 3.
The left arm, using the same sequence,
indicates the numbers 4,5 and 6. Number
7, 8 and 9 both arms are used again starting
from the downward position. Now comes
the use of the three sets of arms. I’ll try and
keep it as simple as possible. If the upper
set of arms are used, this indicates single
numbers. If the middle set of arms is used this
represents tens of numbers. If the bottom
set is used, it represents hundreds. Should
a special pennant be used, by hoisted half-
masted at the yard arm, then this indicated
that the number shown by the semaphore
arms were to be read as thousands. If the
signal flag hoisted close up, the arms were
to be read as tens of thousands. The system
is fairly complicated and I hope what I have
written makes sense. I have not bothered
going into the finer details of the system
such as signals of a special significance.
There were flag signals at the yard arm with
introductory meanings such as a to whom
the message was addressed, call up signs,
corrections, message not understood and
many others.
The main transmitting station was at what is
now Princes Park at Battery Point in Hobart,
and messages were passed through Mt.
Nelson and sixteen other stations to Port
Arthur. If visibility was poor, each station
passed the message to at least two stations
to ensure its safe delivery. Good weather
allowed for a message from Hobart to
Port Arthur via stations at Mt. Nelson, Mt.
Augustus, Mt. Communication, Mt. Arthur to
be delivered to Port Arthur.
The operators of the system became very
proficient, and a reply to a twenty word
message from Hobart to Port Arthur could
be expected in fifteen minutes.
After about twenty years electric telegraph
was introduced to Tasmania using Morse
Code, and in 1857 Hobart and Launceston
were connected (by wire), and it began to
look like the Telegraph Semaphore would
be superseded. In 1876 the town of Sorell
and Hobart were connected. In 1880 on
the 13th of September Mt. Nelson and
Hobart were connected by telephone, and
finally in 1880 Hobart and Port Arthur were
connected by wire.
So after about fifty years of faithful service,
Telegraphic Semaphore came to an end.
Bibliography.
W.E. Masters -- The Semaphore Telegraph
System of V.D.L.
A Dalgleish
Communication In Van Diemen’s Land by means of “The Telegraph Semaphore”
We welcome Mickey and Nan Benefiel as new members of the Maritime Museum aand although their main residence is in Sydney, Mickey commutes to Hobart on a regular basis.
Mickey has been assisting us with our eHeritage program that is proceeding smoothly thanks to his expert assistance. Mickey’s computer skills have been invaluable and we are much indebted to him for his efforts. He has now returned to his home in Sydney and taken with him material to work on for our benefit, such is his dedication to the advancement of our museum records. We llok forward to meeting him again on his return to Hobart early next year.
The recording of information has been speeded up considerably including the Images from Glass and data currently on display in the museum. Over 700 framed pictures and paintings, as well as many other artifacts, have been photographes, catalogued and recorded in the eHertiage data base, Much work still needs to be done but at long last we are on track to have a comprehensive list of our objects, photos and documents on computer.
John Wedd (Honorary Secretary
know your committee
Philip Fowler Philip Fowler is a retired trust fund
administrator, investment company
and medical clinic finance director. A
Foundation Member of the Museum, as
it’s senior member he has served 30 years
and 5 months continuously as Treasurer,
Vice President, President ( for many years )
and Board member throughout the Boards
existence.
He foresaw the difficulties inherited in that
two tier structure and strongly opposed it
and the style of management it entailed as
not being in the Museum’s best interests.
He negotiated the Museums initial
move into Secheron House in 1984 and
took responsibility for the relocation in
2000 to the present venue. He received
International recognition for restoration
of the ‘OTAGO’ companion scuttle in
1975 and has represented the Museum
internationally on four occasions, delivering
papers on two occasions including being
one of two guest speakers at the Southern
Shipping Seminar Dunedin in 1995.
Philip has also lectured locally to the
University of the Third Age, and possesses
a fine maritime pioneering reference
library.
As the museum’s principal benefactor he is
currently negotiating the completion of a
very significant gift to the museum.
Philip has built 46 boats of all types
including the ‘Moby Dick’ whaleboat and
‘Utieka 111’ model which with plinth
and case were all gifted to the museum
some months ago. For the year Philip has
chaired fortnightly Display and Acquisition
Committee meetings which previously,
in the Carnegie Building, had never been
held.
9
Dugald McDougall
Over the past few years Dugald has
made an invaluable contribution to the
running of the Museum byway of looking
after opening and closing on weekdays,
maintaining the daily record of accounts
andattending to all of our banking as well
as being a committee member.
Outside the Museum, Dugald was for 9
years Commissioner for Sea Scout Water
Activities and is still closely involved with
scouting. He is a Church Treasurer, and has
over 23 years service with the rank of
Lieutenant Commander in the Royal
Australian Naval Reserve, leaving with
the rank of LieutenantCommander
(Commanding Officer Reserves). Both
Dugald and his family are well known
“yachtpersons”.
Dugald is retired and devotes a lot of his
time and experience to the Museum which
has been invaluableover the years.
did you know?About 100 people choke to death on
ball point pens each year.
In the movie Titanic, a man with a
yellow shirt and a black moustache
falls off the boat and drowns. Five
minutes later the same man is seen
playing the violin with two other
men.
More than a 100 women make their
living impersonating Marilyn Monroe.
The first bomb dropped on Berlin
during WWII killed the only elephant
in the Berlin Zoo.
A pregnant goldfish is called a twit.
A whale’s penis is called a dork.
In every episode of Seinfeld, there is a
superman somewhere.
Babies are born without kneecaps
they develop after 2 years of age.
The most common name in the world
is Mohammed.
The shortest war in history was in
1869 between England and Zanzibar.
Zanzibar surrendered after 38
minutes.
Donald Duck comics were banned
in Finland because he doesn’t wear
pants.
It snowed in the Sahara desert on the
18th February 1979.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fine Art Consultants
Valuations
Restorations
63 Sandy Bay Road, Hobart. Tasmania ph. 03 6223 2020 fax. 03 6223 6870
email. [email protected]
www.masterpiece.com.au
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10
Masterpiece Fine Art Gallery
Maritime Museum of Tasmania2004 Sub-Committees
1. Executive
Colin Denny, Dick Knoop, Alastair Douglas, Dugald McDougall (clause 37(1)
2. Archives, Library & Research
Geoff Andrewartha, Rona Hollingsworth, Audrey Hudspeth, Bob Andrewartha,
Stuart Lester
3. Acquisition
Phillip Fowler, Rona Hollingsworth, Peter Mercer, David Keyes, Keith Heard
4. Museum Display & Exhibitions
Phillip Fowler, Rona Hollingsworth, Peter Mercer, David Keyes, Keith Heard
5. Finance & Trading
Judy Munday, Dougald McDugall, Rolf Omant
6. Rostered & Other Volunteers
Nevill Payne, Glen Peck, John Wedd
7.Newsletter
Bob Petrass, Charles Scarafiotti, fran Hall, Larissa Deck, Bernadette Welsh
8. Advertising, Public Relations & Fundraising
Colin Denny, Glen Peck, Alastair Douglass, Bob Petrass, Bruce Woods
9. Putreach & Education Program
Rex Cox, Gerald Latham, Marianne Watson, Dugald McDougall
10. Membership Promotion & Activities
Joe Cannon, Bob Petrass, Tom Kirkland, Dick Knoop
newsletter subscriptionsWe have had several requests
from interstate visitors to
obtain future copies of
Maritime Times of Tasmania.
This can be achieved by joining
our association as an interstate
member for just $16.50 per
year.
This will ensure you receive a
copy of our quarterly magazine
as well as giving you free entry
to the museum whenever you
are in Hobart. This is exceptional
value and would be a great gift
for anybody interested in our
maritime history and present
day nautical news (refer
application form enclosed).
Governor Davey,s / proclamation / to the
aboriginesLithograph with original hand
colouring43 x 26cm (c 1866)
part 3the story so far.......
In 1940 Bill Nicholson was one of 488 children on board the Polish liner, Batory, being evacuated to Australia from the UK.
Now read on.....
A regular event on the ship was Captain’s
inspection when he toured the ship with a
party of officers etc to be certain everything
was as it should be. We children were told of
the captains’ daily inspection and we were
banned from our cabins between 10 and 12
every morning-no excuses whatever would
be accepted. Which was ok for a while
until we were talking about it in our cabin
(a four berth) and came to the conclusion
that the captain probably didn’t visit our
cabin anyway – we were on the lowest
accommodation deck down a companion
way where there were only about 8 cabins
– and the passageway ended a little way
beyond our cabin. So one day when I think
it was wet on deck – sea or rain- we decided
to stay in our cabin where we sat on the
floor playing cards. It was very quiet- except
for the usual engine thumping- when the
cabin door opened and we looked up at
the captain. He just looked at us and said
nothing. He didn’t need to for right behind
him was the Chief Escort (Mr Kirby) and his
Deputy (Bill Oates). We were told to remove
ourselves forthwith; which we did very
smartly and we’d be dealt with later.
So we spent the rest of the morning
wondering what our fate might be-at least
they wouldn’t throw us overboard, or would
they? Well we didn’t have to suffer for very
long because at lunch the four of us were
called up in front of all the other children at
our sitting and ticked off and told to be sure
not to offend again. And that was it. There
were sighs of relief and we had at least seen
the captain- the one and only time
until we left the ship in Melbourne.
The other daily routine was dealing
with the portholes in the cabins. Every
afternoon or evening before dark
one of the crew would come into the
cabin and lower the deadlight over
the porthole and screw it down tight
with a special spanner in order that no
light was visible from the ship. In the
morning the deadlight was raised to
allow natural light into the cabin. However
the glass light remained tightly fastened
while at sea as waves washed
quite a way up the side of the
ship.
While in port however the glass
lights were opened to improve
ventilation. We were warned
not to put our head out of the
porthole because of the danger
of lines hanging along the ship’s
side, which seemed to constantly
move. While we were in port at
Cape Town I could see lots of
jellyfish in the water so I went
down to the cabin and rigged
a schoolboy’s tale
up my panama hat with
string and lowered it into
the water. Of course I had
to put my head out of
the porthole to see if it
was having any success.
It wasn’t long before I
heard a voice “haven’t you
been told not to put your
head out there” it was Bill
Oates the Deputy Chief
Escort! who confiscated
my hat. That lunch time I
was called up to receive a
telling off and the others reminded of the
danger of doing what I had done- and given
my hat back; dried of course!
That there was a real danger in sticking one’s
head out of the porthole was borne out
later when the ship was in Bombay. Again
we were
allowed the portholes open and another
boy had his head out when he was caught
under the chin by a line hanging along the
side of the ship. His head was pulled up and
the back of it was pushed against the ship’s
side. He was injured severely enough to
have to be taken ashore to a hospital where
he was kept for a few days. Fortunately he
recovered sufficiently to rejoin the ship
before she sailed.
To be continued
15
* RMS Strathaird
* These ships were part of the convoy
* SS Stratheden
* HMAS Sydney
Shipwrights Arms Hotel(Established 1846)
29 Trumpeter Street, Battery PointPhone: 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
A traditional old English corner pub,
filled with history, tradition, and pride
14
Under New ManagemnetGordon Latimer (Licensee)
Preserve your experience at sea with a qualitypainting depicting your voyage
Specialising in fine oil paintings of shipsWinner of the Southern Ocean Maritime Art PrizeFramed or unframed paintings at reasonable prices
From photographs or printsContact Ib at Kent House, 32 Jetty Road, Cygnet
Tasmania 7112 Phone 03 62 951 100
IB ODFELDTMarine Artist
11
When Tom and Grace first got married, Tom said, I am putting a box under the bed.
You must promise to never look in it.” In all their 30 years of marriage, Grace never looked.
However, on the afternoon of their 30th anniversary, curiosity got the best of her.
She lifted the lid and looked inside. In the box were three empty beer cans and $1,874.25 in cash. She closed the box and put it back under the bed.
Now that she knew what was in the box, she was doubly curious as to why. That evening they went out for a special dinner. After dinner Grace could no longer contain her curiosity and she confessed: “I am so sorry. For all these years I kept my promiseand never looked into the box under our bed. However, today the temptation was too much and I gave in.
But now I need to know, “Why do you keep the cans in the box?”
Tom thought for a while and said, “I guess after all these years you deserve to know the truth.
Whenever I was unfaithful to you, I put an empty beer can in the box under the bed to remind myself not to do it again.” Grace was shocked, but said, “I am very disappointed and saddened, but I guess after all those years away from home on the road, temptation does happen, and I guess that three times is not that bad considering the years.”
They hugged and made their peace.
A little while later, Grace asked Tom,
“So why do you have all that money
in the box?”
Tom answered, “Well, whenever the
box was filled up with empty cans,
I took them to the recycling centre
and redeemed them for cash.”
The Errol Flynn Society
Join now and receive an EFSOT Foundation “Tasmanian Devil”
badge valued presently at $10 and destined to become a collectors
piece. The Society is gearing up for a big celebration in 2009 for
Errol’s 100th
birthday. To
be a part of it
phone 6249
4700 (Genene)
or 6225 1004
(Robert).
12
Bernadette Welsh a girl from Leeds, West
Yorkshire was on a working holiday when
she landed the job of one of two cooks on
the square rigged sailing ship ‘Soren Larsen’.
Her story continues as they set sale for New
Caledonia after having a wonderful six weeks
exploring the wonders of Vanuatu.
New Caledonia had many similarities to
Vanuatu and Fiji, but with a distinctly French
flavour. It was fun to change from Pidgin to
basic French and shopping gave us plenty
of chances to practice. Every morning we
would go to the bakery to collect fresh
crispy French loaves and croissants. After
the heavy, grainy bread we baked on board
it made a welcome change. Romance was in
the air for many of the passengers and crew
alike and a few sad farewells were made at
the final night party in Noumea. Fancy dress
parties were a feature of every voyage and
this one was a letter “S” party. Our limited
bag of dress up clothes produced party
guests as diverse as Sinbad the Sailor and
the Spice Girls.
Four days later and with a new batch of
passengers we headed out to Ile Amedee,
home to the most photogenic lighthouse
in the Pacific. Also home too many black
and white sea snakes for me to linger
ashore. After three idyllic days of
island hopping it was time to clear
customs and head out into the open
ocean. This time for my first long
passage. Seven days to Sydney, with
a stop at Lord Howe Island if the wind
was favourable. And that is where we
were at the beginning of my story.
About three days out in the middle
of the 12 -4 watch the wind had
increased. By the time I was woken
at 6am for my breakfast shift the wind
had increased to around 50 knots. I
struggled to get out of bed and into
some clothes. Once in the galley I
could look out and frankly what I saw
frightened me. Water was crashing
across the middle of the deck. I had
absolutely not intentions of going
outside. I just clung on at the window
to both the rail and the contents of my
stomach. On automatic pilot I began
cooking the bacon for breakfast Then
all hands were called to take the
third reef in the mainsail. Oh no! All
hands would include me. Thankfully
someone realised that once they had
struggled with the mainsail in the
cold and wet they would be in need
of hot food and drink and I was allowed to
remain inside. I was so relieved! I watched
them struggle to control the acres of
flapping canvas while I struggled with
keeping several pounds of bacon in the
oven, not to mention the toast on the grill.
One of the crew was washed completely
off her feet and ended up in the scuppers
when one large wave came over the deck.
Oh the happy, dry life of a cook.
The wind blew all day, reaching 60 knots
at times and many passengers only came
out of their bunks to be sick. Thankfully all
the crew were Ok and we cooks managed
to get every meal on the table. The trifle
did slide off the bench in one particularly
large slam off a wave and ended upturned
on the floor. Good job it was such a
solid trifle. The bowl was so deep that it
showed no signs of its fall and was eaten
with gusto. The storm passed in the night
and although it was still windy it was
much calmer the next day and everyone
emerged from their bunk to watch the
twin hills of Lord Howe Island appear on
the horizon. While the passengers went
ashore the crew remained behind for a
massive clean up. The bilge pumps had
become blocked during the storm and
dirty bilge water had seeped into many
cabins and some of the bunks. With
everyone away we thoroughly cleaned
the ship and prepared for a formal dinner
that night in honour of surviving the Bilge
Monster as the slosh of the dirty water
had become known.
The next day the crew got to go shore
and we were immediately reminded why
we did this exhausting job. That evening
as the sun set, we set sail in steady winds,
bound for Sydney and some nightlife.
Thankfully the only eventful things on
this leg were sightings of whales and
dolphins and Sydney was reached in a
few days. We sailed past the Opera House,
2 Years Before the GalleyA Cook In Hot Water............part 2by Bernadette Welsh
13
under the Bridge and into a berth at the
Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour.
We berthed there for 4 days with the
luxury of onshore bathrooms meaning
no time limits on showers. Bliss! While
in Sydney we had a day sail for Friends of
Soren Larsen. Passengers and crew from
previous journeys joined with friends and
family of the present crew for a fantastic
day out. We sailed, sang and danced on
magnificent Sydney Harbour. We even
staged a pirate raid on The Bounty. But
all good things come to an end and we
soon found ourselves readying the ship for
the final leg back to Soren’s home port of
Auckland.
With stores and passengers all safely loaded
we headed out to sea, to cross the mighty
Tasman. Thankfully there were
no nasty surprises for us and we
had idyllic conditions speeding
s across the sea and around the
top of Cape Reinga. Then a right
turn, or altering course to the
South for the nautical readers,
brought us the Bay Of Islands.
Lush green hills were a treat
for the eyes after 7 days at sea.
We passed the Treaty House at
Waitangi where the Moari ceded
their land to The British Empire
and then alongside at Opua for
our own final encounter with
customs and immigration. They
were exceedingly thorough and
inspected every food storage area.
Many items were confiscated
including packaged items which
had been bought in New Zealand and had
returned unopened. They also wanted
to inspect all wooded souvenirs. You can
imagine how much stuff a crew of 12
can accumulate over a 4 month period.
We all stood in a long line with armfuls
of irreplaceable treasures waiting to be
called into the captain’s cabin to have
them inspected. Would we be able to keep
them or would they be deemed a threat
to New Zealand’s ecology. Thankfully not
much was taken from us and we happily
deposited our treasures in our cabins and
went off to celebrate our arrival in the time
honoured tradition, down at the pub.
As we had crossed the Tasman so quickly
we had plenty of time before we were due
in Auckland to stop at the many interesting
islands on route. But all too soon we were
in Auckland saying our final sad goodbyes.
It had been physically very hard and I was
looking forward to a good long rest but I
was very sad to say goodbye to the very
good friends I had made. Although the
hours were long, the work hard and the pay
dreadful I had agreed to have the summer
of and return in April to do it all again.
But that’s another story….
Thanks Bernadette for your excellent
contribution to our newsletter and we hope
you can relate some of your future adventures
to us when you travel again, but not for a
while yet as we want to retain your services
as one of our valued volunteers. (Ed)