Significant maritime relics recorded at national museum
Australian Maritime College
Nov 11 2013
A key artefact from Launceston’s port settlement era displayed in the grounds of AMC has been recognised for its national significance and documented as part of our maritime history.
The steam reciprocating engine from the dredging vessel Ponrabbel II was among 10 items identified as being an object of maritime significance in a collaborative project with the Australian National Maritime Museum.
The Ponrabbel II played a vital role in ensuring the viability of the Port of Launceston and the construction of a down river port at Bell Bay. She operated in the Tamar River from the late 1920s to 1960s ensuring that ships could berth as close to the city centre as possible.
“For most of her working life she was used to dredge the river channel near Launceston,” said AMC project leader Professor Barrie Lewarn.
“During the 1960s the port was moved down the river to Bell Bay and the ship was used in the construction of berths before being decommissioned and left to rot at Kings Wharf. Her engines were removed and a partially restored engine was donated to AMC in the 1980s. It is now on display in the campus grounds.”
Professor Lewarn said the team’s brief was to identify, list, describe and record the items so they could be formally assessed onsite by a museum curator.
“The project is a precursor to developing a policy and implementing objectives for managing and preserving objects of maritime significance located at AMC.”
The other items now included on the museum’s register are:
· Collection of some 300 hull resistance testing models deemed to have made a significant contribution to the evolution of vessel design and to the Australian boat building industry. It includes models of high-speed catamarans; several America’s Cup yachts; wave energy offshore structures; and defence, harbour and recreational vessels. Because new models continue to be built and tested it is classified as a “living collection”.
· Two wooden hull resistance testing models used for Sir Frank Packer’s 1962 America’s Cup challenge by his yachtGretel.
· Hull resistance testing model and winged keels.
· Watercolour painting by C. Dudley Wood of the pilot vessel Wyuna.
· Painting by Frederick Garling of the three-masted steamship Southern Cross.
· Painting by George Frederick Gregory of the three-masted steamship Derwent.
· Painting by Frederick Garling of two-masted brigantine Annie.
· Lithograph by T.G. Dutton of the four-masted steamship Great Britain.
· Early Admiralty chart of North Coast of Tasmania, River Tamar.
AMC wishes to acknowledge the support of the Australian Government and the Australian National Maritime Museum on this project.
“Special thanks must also go to AMC team members Vivien Drinkwater, Chris McGee, Jenni Rein and Elizabeth Vagg for their invaluable assistance and hard work,” Professor Lewarn said.