Prime Ministers Walk
Bardwell Creek
Bardwell Creek
Christmas Decorations
Seaforth Park
Kingsland Rd Reserve
Washington St
Illawarra St
'IRENE III' Towing 'Norfolk Whaler' outNORFOLK WHALER (or Santa Cruz ) - later ARCTURUS Norfolk Whaler and secondly the Irene III . Both were considered to be Tuna fishing boats either under construction or in service.
The twin screw Norfolk Whaler (known in Tuncurry at Santa Cruz ) was built at the shipyards of Ernest Wright and Sons in Tuncurry, NSW. Construction was commenced in 1946, the same year that shipyard manager Ernest Wright died.
After Ernest’s death, work was supervised by Arthur Wedlock (Manager) and Frank Avery (Foreman); John Wright jnr. took over the business after his return from WWII. A very impressive vessel, Frank Avery described her keel as follows: She has a piece of 12x12 iron bark, 75ft. long, in the keel. Like the kelson, stem and apron it was squared with axe and adze”. Newcastle Morning Herald 17 May 1947
Launch – 16th September 1954
Progress was in stages over an eight-year period and it was not until 16th September 1954 that she was launched. Elizabeth Wedlock, daughter of Arthur Wedlock and great grand-daughter of the late John Wright who had, in 1877 [1875?], established the shipbuilding industry in Tuncurry, launched her. She announced I LAUNCH THIS SHIP. MAY GOD BE WITH HER AND ALL WHO SAIL IN HER . As she spoke these words, she, "grasped the bottle of champagne swinging from the bow by the tartan ribbon of 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' and with all the assurance and grace of youth, broke the bottle against the gleaming wooden vessel poised on the slips". [Dungog Chronicle- Saturday 2 October 1954]
Although known locally as the Santa Cruz , there was not one mention in any of the many reports of the newly launched vessel’s name. Frank Avery in 1947, had indicated that she was owned by a Queenslander while the owner was later reported as F.E. Crouch [SMH - Saturday 18 September 1954] ]. In addition, there are no press reports of a vessel of the name Santa Cruz and there is no record in the Register of British Shipping of that name.
Towed to Ballina
On the 17th September The Santa Cruz - Norfolk Whaler was towed out of the channel by the launch IRENE III and then taken by the steamer Bonalbo to Ballina on instructions from her owner S. G. White Pty Ltd. but it took four years until 14th November 1958 before she was registered to North Coast Whaling Pty Ltd., 20 Grosvenor St., Sydney, with the name Norfolk Whaler .
Details
Name: Norfolk Whaler (local name Santa Cruz , later ARCTURUS
Builder: Ernest Wright & Sons
O/N: Official Number: 199178
Registered 15/1958 Sydney (14th November 1958)
Length: 119.95 ft
Breadth: 22.6 ft
Depth: 10.15 ft
Tonnage: n.b. 1 shipping ton = 100 cubic feet)
-Gross: 217.47 tons (615.44 cubic metres)
Net (Register): 91.43 tons (258.75 cubic metres)
The supervising naval architect was Arthur N. Swinfield A.M.I.N.A.
Owners
The early ownership of the vessel known locally as the Santa Cruz is not well understood. It appears that she was initially commissioned to be built as a luxury tourist craft for a Mr. F.E. Crouch. Over the long term of construction (1946 – 1954) it would appear that the hull was purchased by S. G. White Pty Ltd (Sydney based firm that had a facility undertaking shipbuilding and ship repairs at Ballina) as a potential tuna vessel and was taken to Ballina after launch in 1954. “Lying at Tuncurry uncompleted is a 128 ft. ship (Figure 1, lower) which could make a fine sea-going tuna clipper. She has a beam of 22 ft. 6 ins., moulded depth of 10ft. 9 ins. and 2½ inch planking. This ship was begun for a former owner, by E. Wright & Co., of Tuncurry, as a luxury tourist craft for the Barrier Reef, but is now owned by S. G. White Pty. Ltd., Sydney shipbuilders and repairers. Plans prepared by Mr. Arthur Swinfield, Sydney naval architect, provide for five refrigerated wells on each side of the vessel, with a total capacity of 100 tons, and three bait tanks aft with a combined capacity of 30 tons. Accommodation provides for a crew of fourteen.”
Fisheries news-letter Vol. 13 No. 2 (February 1954)
Fitted out at Ballina
Over the period 1954 – 1958 she was fitted out at Ballina and at some time sold to North Coast Whaling Pty Ltd. In 1956 Diesel engines (6cyl. General Motors Corp) driving twin screws were fitted. During the first half of 1957, she was fitted out as a whaler under the supervision of Jim Hammond (Alan Wright, Great Lakes Historical Society, personal communication) and undertook her first sea trials in June 1957 [smh 19 June 1957]
Whaling at Ballina/Byron Bay
The story of whaling at Ballina/Byron Bay is quite complex; the whaling station was located at Byron Bay while the whaling vessels used from 1957 on were apparently leased from North Coast Whaling Pty Ltd, Ballina.
The Byron Whaling Company had its origins in 1951 when a group of Inverell businessmen tried to float a public company - Byron Whaling Company Ltd. The float, however, was under-subscribed and investors’ monies were repaid. 1953 a private company Byron Whaling Co. Pty. Ltd. was formed and the company started construction of whaling facilities at Byron Bay in May 1954 and secured a licence to harvest an annual quota of 120 humpback whales. In July 1954, Anderson Meat Industries Ltd. acquired Byron Whaling Co. Pty. Ltd.; the first whale was captured in the same month. Byron Whaling Co. Pty. Ltd. operated two Fairmile cruisers as chasers, Byrond I and Byrond II. The whaling quota was increased to 150 whales per year after the first year of operation.
In 1955, a whaling station was also constructed on Norfolk Island at Cascade Bay by the Norfolk Island Whaling Co., a trading name of Byron Whaling Co. Pty Ltd. The Cascade Bay whaling station commenced operation in 1956. In the same year, Anderson Meat Industries Ltd. sold the two entities, Byron Whaling Co. Pty Ltd and Norfolk Island Whaling Co. to the newly listed public company Norfolk Island and Byron Bay Whaling Co. Ltd.
Around the same time North Coast Whaling Pty Ltd acquired the Santa Cruz , and registered her as Norfolk Whaler (1958), she was reported to have been involved in whaling at Norfolk Island from mid-1957 on, presumably under lease to the Norfolk Island and Byron Bay Whaling Co. Ltd. She was assisted by two 30ft whale spotters, Kingston Whaler and Cascade Whaler; both vessel were built at Ballina by the S. G. White Pty Ltd Ballina Slipway and Engineering (Alan Wright, Great Lakes Museum, personal communication).
End of Whaling at Byron Bay
Her career as a whaler ceased in 1962 when only two whales were caught. The company that had apparently leased her, the Norfolk Island and Byron Bay Whaling Co. Limited, went into liquidation and was de-listed on 7th Jan 1963. North Coast Whaling Pty Ltd. sold Norfolk Whaler back to S.G. White Pty Ltd on 3rd February 1964
In 1965 the Minister for Territories announced that the Australian Government had purchased the Norfolk Whaler and renamed her Arcturus . She was refitted at Ballina as she was intended to be used to train Papua New Guinean merchant seamen. A Certificate of Survey dated October 1965 indicated that the modifications increased the tonnage and the registration details were amended as follows.
Gross tons: 234.72 tons (664.26 cubic metres)
Net tons: 103.91 tons (294.07 cubic metres)
Norfolk Whaler employed as Survey Ship - 1964Norfolk Whaler for survey work. Her initial deployment was at Port Headland, Western Australia - departing Ballina on the 19th January 1964. Her role was to survey a channel for the 4000-ton ore ships which intend to work that area. After operating in Port Headland she was dispatched to Groote Eylandt and finally returned to Ballina in August 1964.
The Australian Register was closed on 13th December 1965.
Sold to the Administration - Territory of Papua New Guinea - renamed Arcturus
The arrangement for the purchase involved some refurbishment to better suit the vessel's new role a training ship. She was sold to the Administration of the Territory of Papua and New Guinea for £90,000 arriving at Port Moresby in January 1966. She was then assigned to the Papua New Guinea Register and assigned the number 5256018. Arcturus 1966
Arcturus - RabaulArcturus was initially based in Rabaul where she was registered but it appears that she was not initially used for the purpose intended and received minimal maintenance.
Chief Officer of Arcturus claims wreck of Dai Maru for TPNG Administration
In September 1969 the following note was placed in the wheelhouse of the wrecked fishing boat Dai Maru .
NOTICE OF CLAIM 15th Sept. 1969
I, F. H. THOMPSON, CHIEF OFFICER OF T S ARCTURUS DO HEREBY CLAIM LEGAL RIGHT TO THIS VESSEL THE DAI MARU NO.7 (KOL-SI) AND ALL EQUIPMENT AND STORES HELD WITHIN HER, ON BEHALF
OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA.
THIS NOTICE IS SUBSEQUENT TO THAT PLACED ON BOARD ON THE 7th DAY OF SEPT ‘69
Training ship for Nautical College
Sometime in 1969 the Arcturus was moved to Napa Napa (near Port Moresby) ready for the first students at the Nautical College to commence training in early 1970. During this period the Arcturus was refurbished and she had her engines replaced with Gardner 6L3 diesel engines.
Nautical training moved to Madang
After drawn out negotiations between the Education Department the Department of Transport, the Arcturus was relocated to Madang to provide the training ship for the new Nautical College at Madang in 1972.
Arcturus involved in WW2 bomb disposal.Papua New Guinea Post-Courier Wed 14 Jun 1972
Arcturus based at Nautical Training InstituteFinal Days in Madang
The Arcturus remained an important component in the Training Institute but, in late 1970’s, she was deemed to be no longer of use and was advertised for sale at Madang as follows:
“Offers are invited on an "as is where is" basis for the following:
Motor vessel M.V. Arcturus wood training vessel formerly Norfolk Whaler built 1954.
Length 36M, Breadth 6M, Gross tonnage 236 tons. Engine 6L3 Gardner.
The successful tenderer must remove vessel from mooring within one month from
date of advice.
Hull to be destroyed after removal of machinery and fittings.
The vessel may be inspected, at the Nautical Training Institute”
Papua New Guinea Post-Courier Fri 13 Jul 1979 Page 53
It has been reported that the engines, which were reconditioned and installed as auxiliary engines in one of the Lutheran Shipping's company’s vessels, are still running today. [David Faithful – Madang, Nov 2013]
With the recent information available courtesy of Trove and the Fisheries Newsletter the secret of her early career is now revealed and the ultimate fate of the last ship built by the Wright shipyard at Tuncurry has at last be solved.
IRENE III” LFB 253
Details
Name: Irene III later named Dawntreader
Type: Fishing Vessel
Length:48ft
Beam:15ft
Depth:Unknown
Motor: 60bhp Deutz air cooled diesel
Tonnage: (Volumetric measure 1 ton = 100 cubic ft)
- Gross: unknown
- Underdeck: unknown
- Net: unknown
Built: Bexley NSW (Sydney)
Builder: Keith Turton (master carpenter)
Designer: Arthur Swinfield
Launched: Blackwattle Bay – Sydney Circa 1953
Fishing No: LFB253
Ports and Owners
Tuncurry /Forster NSW. - Arthur K. Turton 1954 – 1969
Tuncurry /Forster NSW. -Tommy Goodlad, 1969.- Max Elford (for some years)
Jerseyville NSW – 1993 –? Wayne Bramble.
Construction
The Irene III was built in the backyard of Arthur Turton’s home, in the Sydney suburb of Bexley NSW.
Taken from the same designer plans drawn up by Naval Architect Arthur Swinfield, for her sister ship, the Trevor W , which was built for Bill Kyle, and named after his son.
The only difference between the two vessels was that the wheelhouse on the Irene III was aft, whereas the wheelhouse on the Trevor W , although identical, was forward and reversed.
History
1953
Launched and fitted out in Sydney before coming to Tuncurry NSW.
Skippered by Tom Goodlad, crewed by Warren Bulmer & Billy Nicholson, she was used mainly for trapping fish, lobsters, and trawling for prawns.
1954
Two drowned in bar crossing
The Irene III was one of five fishing boats waiting to enter off Cape Hawke bar on the 30th January, while a treacherous sea was running. After crossing in safely, skipper of the Irene III Tom Goodlad, noticed that the trawler Leisure , in attempting the crossing, was caught by a broaching wave and capsized in the rough conditions.
Tom turned the Irene III around and re-crossed out over the bar and went to the rescue of men floundering in the water, lines thrown from the Irene III picked up two men, one of those on board dived into the water and rescued a further 3 persons, raised alarm that two men were still missing.
Two drowned in bar crossing - (30th January)
Sydney, Sunday-Two men were drowned when their fishing launch was overturned while crossing the Forster bar yesterday afternoon. They were Vincent Fitness 36, fisherman of Tuncurry, and Norman Dickson, 43, of Ermington, Sydney.
Five other people who were in the boat were thrown clear when the launch capsized.
A treacherous sea was running and the party in their launch Leisure , waited outside the bar for an opportunity to cross. As they were moving across the bar a huge wave broached the launch and capsized it. Fitness and Dickson were sucked back into the boat when it overturned.
Tom Goodlad, a Tuncurry fisherman, in his launch Irene , [Irene III ] had crossed over the bar previously.
When he saw the Leisure had overturned. Goodlad re-crossed the bar and picked up the five people who were struggling in the shark infested waters.
Later another fisherman, accompanied by another man, went out and recovered the bodies of the drowned men.
Northern Star Monday 1st February 1954.
25th February
Perilous Sea Trip to Reach Trawler Standing Off Forster Bar
Tuncurry police, a doctor and the crew of a fishing launch figured in a dangerous journey when they crossed the Forster-Tuncurry bar on Thursday night to reach a trawler standing two and a half miles out to sea.
Police had been called by telephone from Sydney to board the trawler and pick up the body of a man who died suddenly while the vessel was proceeding up the coast.
The dead man was Frank Ellis (45), a fireman, who resides in Sydney. He died suddenly a few hours previously
The Tuncurry party made the journey in the Irene III , captained by Tom Goodlad, one of the most experienced skippers working this entrance.
To cross the bar in darkness was realised to be a perilous undertaking in view of the double tragedy that had occurred there recently in daylight hours when a launch was wrecked.
On the outward journey the Irene III struck the bar several times, and when returning only managed to scrape over the sand. A heavy swell was running at the time, and some difficulty was experienced in boarding the trawler and removing the body. The party on the Irene III consisted of Senior Const. Frost, Dr. Barrett and a crew of three.
Policeman Scared
Const. Frost told a "Times" representative that he was scared of what might occur in making the crossing as the risk was quite great enough in daytime and with tides favourable.
When he boarded the trawler, he was informed that the man was found dead in bed.
Const. Frost said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.
The body was subsequently conveyed to Taree for identification by relatives of the deceased.
The Irene III recently figured in the rescue of five men when the launch Leisure was wrecked and two lives lost.
She was also requisitioned by the police recently to go out to the trawler Mary Cam , when two men were injured, to bring them ashore for treatment. On each occasion the Irene III has been in charge of Tom Goodlad whose seamanship is a password at Tuncurry.
Manning River Times Monday 1st March 1954.
Image Source: Trove - Fisheries Newsletter Vol 13, No. 2 February 1954
All Images in this photostream are Copyright - Great Lakes Manning River Shipping and/or their individual owners as may be stated above and may not be downloaded, reproduced, or used in any way without prior written approval.
GREAT LAKES MANNING RIVER SHIPPING, NSW Alphabetical Boat Index Boat builders Index Tags List
Sketch of Norfolk Whaler and IRENE IIINORFOLK WHALER (or Santa Cruz ) - later ARCTURUS Norfolk Whaler and secondly the Irene III . Both were considered to be Tuna fishing boats either under construction or in service.
The twin screw Norfolk Whaler (known in Tuncurry at Santa Cruz ) was built at the shipyards of Ernest Wright and Sons in Tuncurry, NSW. Construction was commenced in 1946, the same year that shipyard manager Ernest Wright died.
After Ernest’s death, work was supervised by Arthur Wedlock (Manager) and Frank Avery (Foreman); John Wright jnr. took over the business after his return from WWII. A very impressive vessel, Frank Avery described her keel as follows: She has a piece of 12x12 iron bark, 75ft. long, in the keel. Like the kelson, stem and apron it was squared with axe and adze”. Newcastle Morning Herald 17 May 1947
Launch – 16th September 1954
Progress was in stages over an eight-year period and it was not until 16th September 1954 that she was launched. Elizabeth Wedlock, daughter of Arthur Wedlock and great grand-daughter of the late John Wright who had, in 1877 [1875?], established the shipbuilding industry in Tuncurry, launched her. She announced I LAUNCH THIS SHIP. MAY GOD BE WITH HER AND ALL WHO SAIL IN HER . As she spoke these words, she, "grasped the bottle of champagne swinging from the bow by the tartan ribbon of 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' and with all the assurance and grace of youth, broke the bottle against the gleaming wooden vessel poised on the slips". [Dungog Chronicle- Saturday 2 October 1954]
Although known locally as the Santa Cruz , there was not one mention in any of the many reports of the newly launched vessel’s name. Frank Avery in 1947, had indicated that she was owned by a Queenslander while the owner was later reported as F.E. Crouch [SMH - Saturday 18 September 1954] ]. In addition, there are no press reports of a vessel of the name Santa Cruz and there is no record in the Register of British Shipping of that name.
Towed to Ballina
On the 17th September The Santa Cruz - Norfolk Whaler was towed out of the channel by the launch IRENE III and then taken by the steamer Bonalbo to Ballina on instructions from her owner S. G. White Pty Ltd. but it took four years until 14th November 1958 before she was registered to North Coast Whaling Pty Ltd., 20 Grosvenor St., Sydney, with the name Norfolk Whaler .
Details
Name: Norfolk Whaler (local name Santa Cruz , later ARCTURUS
Builder: Ernest Wright & Sons
O/N: Official Number: 199178
Registered 15/1958 Sydney (14th November 1958)
Length: 119.95 ft
Breadth: 22.6 ft
Depth: 10.15 ft
Tonnage: n.b. 1 shipping ton = 100 cubic feet)
-Gross: 217.47 tons (615.44 cubic metres)
Net (Register): 91.43 tons (258.75 cubic metres)
The supervising naval architect was Arthur N. Swinfield A.M.I.N.A.
Owners
The early ownership of the vessel known locally as the Santa Cruz is not well understood. It appears that she was initially commissioned to be built as a luxury tourist craft for a Mr. F.E. Crouch. Over the long term of construction (1946 – 1954) it would appear that the hull was purchased by S. G. White Pty Ltd (Sydney based firm that had a facility undertaking shipbuilding and ship repairs at Ballina) as a potential tuna vessel and was taken to Ballina after launch in 1954. “Lying at Tuncurry uncompleted is a 128 ft. ship (Figure 1, lower) which could make a fine sea-going tuna clipper. She has a beam of 22 ft. 6 ins., moulded depth of 10ft. 9 ins. and 2½ inch planking. This ship was begun for a former owner, by E. Wright & Co., of Tuncurry, as a luxury tourist craft for the Barrier Reef, but is now owned by S. G. White Pty. Ltd., Sydney shipbuilders and repairers. Plans prepared by Mr. Arthur Swinfield, Sydney naval architect, provide for five refrigerated wells on each side of the vessel, with a total capacity of 100 tons, and three bait tanks aft with a combined capacity of 30 tons. Accommodation provides for a crew of fourteen.”
Fisheries news-letter Vol. 13 No. 2 (February 1954)
Fitted out at Ballina
Over the period 1954 – 1958 she was fitted out at Ballina and at some time sold to North Coast Whaling Pty Ltd. In 1956 Diesel engines (6cyl. General Motors Corp) driving twin screws were fitted. During the first half of 1957, she was fitted out as a whaler under the supervision of Jim Hammond (Alan Wright, Great Lakes Historical Society, personal communication) and undertook her first sea trials in June 1957 [smh 19 June 1957]
Whaling at Ballina/Byron Bay
The story of whaling at Ballina/Byron Bay is quite complex; the whaling station was located at Byron Bay while the whaling vessels used from 1957 on were apparently leased from North Coast Whaling Pty Ltd, Ballina.
The Byron Whaling Company had its origins in 1951 when a group of Inverell businessmen tried to float a public company - Byron Whaling Company Ltd. The float, however, was under-subscribed and investors’ monies were repaid. 1953 a private company Byron Whaling Co. Pty. Ltd. was formed and the company started construction of whaling facilities at Byron Bay in May 1954 and secured a licence to harvest an annual quota of 120 humpback whales. In July 1954, Anderson Meat Industries Ltd. acquired Byron Whaling Co. Pty. Ltd.; the first whale was captured in the same month. Byron Whaling Co. Pty. Ltd. operated two Fairmile cruisers as chasers, Byrond I and Byrond II. The whaling quota was increased to 150 whales per year after the first year of operation.
In 1955, a whaling station was also constructed on Norfolk Island at Cascade Bay by the Norfolk Island Whaling Co., a trading name of Byron Whaling Co. Pty Ltd. The Cascade Bay whaling station commenced operation in 1956. In the same year, Anderson Meat Industries Ltd. sold the two entities, Byron Whaling Co. Pty Ltd and Norfolk Island Whaling Co. to the newly listed public company Norfolk Island and Byron Bay Whaling Co. Ltd.
Around the same time North Coast Whaling Pty Ltd acquired the Santa Cruz , and registered her as Norfolk Whaler (1958), she was reported to have been involved in whaling at Norfolk Island from mid-1957 on, presumably under lease to the Norfolk Island and Byron Bay Whaling Co. Ltd. She was assisted by two 30ft whale spotters, Kingston Whaler and Cascade Whaler; both vessel were built at Ballina by the S. G. White Pty Ltd Ballina Slipway and Engineering (Alan Wright, Great Lakes Museum, personal communication).
End of Whaling at Byron Bay
Her career as a whaler ceased in 1962 when only two whales were caught. The company that had apparently leased her, the Norfolk Island and Byron Bay Whaling Co. Limited, went into liquidation and was de-listed on 7th Jan 1963. North Coast Whaling Pty Ltd. sold Norfolk Whaler back to S.G. White Pty Ltd on 3rd February 1964
In 1965 the Minister for Territories announced that the Australian Government had purchased the Norfolk Whaler and renamed her Arcturus . She was refitted at Ballina as she was intended to be used to train Papua New Guinean merchant seamen. A Certificate of Survey dated October 1965 indicated that the modifications increased the tonnage and the registration details were amended as follows.
Gross tons: 234.72 tons (664.26 cubic metres)
Net tons: 103.91 tons (294.07 cubic metres)
Norfolk Whaler employed as Survey Ship - 1964Norfolk Whaler for survey work. Her initial deployment was at Port Headland, Western Australia - departing Ballina on the 19th January 1964. Her role was to survey a channel for the 4000-ton ore ships which intend to work that area. After operating in Port Headland she was dispatched to Groote Eylandt and finally returned to Ballina in August 1964.
The Australian Register was closed on 13th December 1965.
Sold to the Administration - Territory of Papua New Guinea - renamed Arcturus
The arrangement for the purchase involved some refurbishment to better suit the vessel's new role a training ship. She was sold to the Administration of the Territory of Papua and New Guinea for £90,000 arriving at Port Moresby in January 1966. She was then assigned to the Papua New Guinea Register and assigned the number 5256018. Arcturus 1966
Arcturus - RabaulArcturus was initially based in Rabaul where she was registered but it appears that she was not initially used for the purpose intended and received minimal maintenance.
Chief Officer of Arcturus claims wreck of Dai Maru for TPNG Administration
In September 1969 the following note was placed in the wheelhouse of the wrecked fishing boat Dai Maru .
NOTICE OF CLAIM 15th Sept. 1969
I, F. H. THOMPSON, CHIEF OFFICER OF T S ARCTURUS DO HEREBY CLAIM LEGAL RIGHT TO THIS VESSEL THE DAI MARU NO.7 (KOL-SI) AND ALL EQUIPMENT AND STORES HELD WITHIN HER, ON BEHALF
OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA.
THIS NOTICE IS SUBSEQUENT TO THAT PLACED ON BOARD ON THE 7th DAY OF SEPT ‘69
Training ship for Nautical College
Sometime in 1969 the Arcturus was moved to Napa Napa (near Port Moresby) ready for the first students at the Nautical College to commence training in early 1970. During this period the Arcturus was refurbished and she had her engines replaced with Gardner 6L3 diesel engines.
Nautical training moved to Madang
After drawn out negotiations between the Education Department the Department of Transport, the Arcturus was relocated to Madang to provide the training ship for the new Nautical College at Madang in 1972.
Arcturus involved in WW2 bomb disposal.Papua New Guinea Post-Courier Wed 14 Jun 1972
Arcturus based at Nautical Training InstituteFinal Days in Madang
The Arcturus remained an important component in the Training Institute but, in late 1970’s, she was deemed to be no longer of use and was advertised for sale at Madang as follows:
“Offers are invited on an "as is where is" basis for the following:
Motor vessel M.V. Arcturus wood training vessel formerly Norfolk Whaler built 1954.
Length 36M, Breadth 6M, Gross tonnage 236 tons. Engine 6L3 Gardner.
The successful tenderer must remove vessel from mooring within one month from
date of advice.
Hull to be destroyed after removal of machinery and fittings.
The vessel may be inspected, at the Nautical Training Institute”
Papua New Guinea Post-Courier Fri 13 Jul 1979 Page 53
It has been reported that the engines, which were reconditioned and installed as auxiliary engines in one of the Lutheran Shipping's company’s vessels, are still running today. [David Faithful – Madang, Nov 2013]
With the recent information available courtesy of Trove and the Fisheries Newsletter the secret of her early career is now revealed and the ultimate fate of the last ship built by the Wright shipyard at Tuncurry has at last be solved.
IRENE III” LFB 253
Details
Name: Irene III later named Dawntreader
Type: Fishing Vessel
Length:48ft
Beam:15ft
Depth:Unknown
Motor: 60bhp Deutz air cooled diesel
Tonnage: (Volumetric measure 1 ton = 100 cubic ft)
- Gross: unknown
- Underdeck: unknown
- Net: unknown
Built: Bexley NSW (Sydney)
Builder: Keith Turton (master carpenter)
Designer: Arthur Swinfield
Launched: Blackwattle Bay – Sydney Circa 1953
Fishing No: LFB253
Ports and Owners
Tuncurry /Forster NSW. - Arthur K. Turton 1954 – 1969
Tuncurry /Forster NSW. -Tommy Goodlad, 1969.- Max Elford (for some years)
Jerseyville NSW – 1993 –? Wayne Bramble.
Construction
The Irene III was built in the backyard of Arthur Turton’s home, in the Sydney suburb of Bexley NSW.
Taken from the same designer plans drawn up by Naval Architect Arthur Swinfield, for her sister ship, the Trevor W , which was built for Bill Kyle, and named after his son.
The only difference between the two vessels was that the wheelhouse on the Irene III was aft, whereas the wheelhouse on the Trevor W , although identical, was forward and reversed.
History
1953
Launched and fitted out in Sydney before coming to Tuncurry NSW.
Skippered by Tom Goodlad, crewed by Warren Bulmer & Billy Nicholson, she was used mainly for trapping fish, lobsters, and trawling for prawns.
1954
Two drowned in bar crossing
The Irene III was one of five fishing boats waiting to enter off Cape Hawke bar on the 30th January, while a treacherous sea was running. After crossing in safely, skipper of the Irene III Tom Goodlad, noticed that the trawler Leisure , in attempting the crossing, was caught by a broaching wave and capsized in the rough conditions.
Tom turned the Irene III around and re-crossed out over the bar and went to the rescue of men floundering in the water, lines thrown from the Irene III picked up two men, one of those on board dived into the water and rescued a further 3 persons, raised alarm that two men were still missing.
Two drowned in bar crossing - (30th January)
Sydney, Sunday-Two men were drowned when their fishing launch was overturned while crossing the Forster bar yesterday afternoon. They were Vincent Fitness 36, fisherman of Tuncurry, and Norman Dickson, 43, of Ermington, Sydney.
Five other people who were in the boat were thrown clear when the launch capsized.
A treacherous sea was running and the party in their launch Leisure , waited outside the bar for an opportunity to cross. As they were moving across the bar a huge wave broached the launch and capsized it. Fitness and Dickson were sucked back into the boat when it overturned.
Tom Goodlad, a Tuncurry fisherman, in his launch Irene , [Irene III ] had crossed over the bar previously.
When he saw the Leisure had overturned. Goodlad re-crossed the bar and picked up the five people who were struggling in the shark infested waters.
Later another fisherman, accompanied by another man, went out and recovered the bodies of the drowned men.
Northern Star Monday 1st February 1954.
25th February
Perilous Sea Trip to Reach Trawler Standing Off Forster Bar
Tuncurry police, a doctor and the crew of a fishing launch figured in a dangerous journey when they crossed the Forster-Tuncurry bar on Thursday night to reach a trawler standing two and a half miles out to sea.
Police had been called by telephone from Sydney to board the trawler and pick up the body of a man who died suddenly while the vessel was proceeding up the coast.
The dead man was Frank Ellis (45), a fireman, who resides in Sydney. He died suddenly a few hours previously
The Tuncurry party made the journey in the Irene III , captained by Tom Goodlad, one of the most experienced skippers working this entrance.
To cross the bar in darkness was realised to be a perilous undertaking in view of the double tragedy that had occurred there recently in daylight hours when a launch was wrecked.
On the outward journey the Irene III struck the bar several times, and when returning only managed to scrape over the sand. A heavy swell was running at the time, and some difficulty was experienced in boarding the trawler and removing the body. The party on the Irene III consisted of Senior Const. Frost, Dr. Barrett and a crew of three.
Policeman Scared
Const. Frost told a "Times" representative that he was scared of what might occur in making the crossing as the risk was quite great enough in daytime and with tides favourable.
When he boarded the trawler, he was informed that the man was found dead in bed.
Const. Frost said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.
The body was subsequently conveyed to Taree for identification by relatives of the deceased.
The Irene III recently figured in the rescue of five men when the launch Leisure was wrecked and two lives lost.
She was also requisitioned by the police recently to go out to the trawler Mary Cam , when two men were injured, to bring them ashore for treatment. On each occasion the Irene III has been in charge of Tom Goodlad whose seamanship is a password at Tuncurry.
Manning River Times Monday 1st March 1954.
Image Source: Trove - Fisheries Newsletter Vol 13, No. 2 February 1954
All Images in this photostream are Copyright - Great Lakes Manning River Shipping and/or their individual owners as may be stated above and may not be downloaded, reproduced, or used in any way without prior written approval.
GREAT LAKES MANNING RIVER SHIPPING, NSW Alphabetical Boat Index Boat builders Index Tags List
Funeral Homes Near Me
Uniting Church, West Bexley, Sydney, NSW.
J Downeys Cottage, Bexley, Sydney, NSW.
Presbyterian Church, Bexley, Sydney, NSW.
Gospel Hall, Bexley, Sydney, NSW.
Congregational Church, Bexley, Sydney, NSW.
Greek Church, Bexley, Sydney, NSW.
Greek Orthodox Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos (Genuine), Bexley, Sydney, NSW.
Uniting Church, Bexley, Sydney, NSW.
St Gabriel's Catholic Church, Bexley, Sydney, NSW.
Uniting Church, Church Hall, Bexley, Sydney, NSW.
Ex Shop, Bexley, Sydney, NSW.
Ansett
AEC Rl IV (448) 1971-08-28 Pioneer BS-Bexley (mo4095) Syd Wood offside - Ian Lynas (71-14-34)
Cheap Cremations Sydney
