By 1936 the golden age of timber shipbuilding had almost past. Iron and steel had replaced timber as the preferred method of construction. The Dent family name has been associated with timber shipbuilding at Huskisson since 1861. George Dent was attracted by the ready supply of Spotted Gum and the protected easy access to Currambene Creek, the work being carried on from father to son whenever an order was available.
The Phyllis was the latest vessel in this long line.
Built by Fred Dent, with the assistance of his brothers Les and Richard, the launching of the "Phyllis created quite a lot of interest at Huskisson.
It proved very successful in every respect, the craft gliding gracefully from the stocks into Currambene Creek, She was built to the order of Mr G.H. Duesbury.
The Phyllis was built as a deep sea Siene trawler, 60ft long, 13ft, 6inch beam, and a draught of 5ft. 6inch. Described as a "very fine boat," built of spotted gum, her decks were of Oregon pine. All the timber was cut and supplied by Joseph Dent. She still needed a few finishing touches, some painting and a mast needed to be installed and her 50 h.p Delvin Deisel engine fitted.
The trawler will have a crew of four, with 10 bunks being provided for.
The builder commenced operation in February and is intended that she will be ready for the sea by 7th July.
There was quite a crowd of people in attendance to witness the launching, and included in the interested visitors were the parents of the proprietor, Mr and Mrs G. Duesbury, of Bexley. The christening ceremony was carried out in a customary manner with Mr Duesbury breaking a bottle of champagne over the bow of the vessel, naming the vessel in honour of his daughter. The health of the owner was drunk in right royal fashion, those assembled wishing him success in his new venture, that of trawling.
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