Another beautiful part of the South Coast

Rennies Beach Ulladulla.

The early explorers must have been amazed at the beauty of the South East Coast.
This photo shows a slow moving storm approaching from the SW.

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Lady Denman – The end of an era

On this day 14th June 1979 at 7.30pm the Lady Denman commenced her last run as a Sydney Ferry from Circular Quay to Victoria Street, Hunters Hill.


Built at Huskisson by Joseph Dent and launched in 1911. The ferry served the people of Sydney for nearly 68 years, not bad for a vessel only designed for a working life of 15 years.
The Lady had a few adventures in her life, as you would expect for a vessel plying the busy waterways of Sydney Harbour, previous posts have highlighted some of those.

Her outlook was bleak, like so many other ferries she was destined to be scrapped, but with luck, hard work and the determination of a group of Huskisson locals, she was returned to Huskisson in 1981 and is now the centrepiece of the Museum.

Bring your friends and family, explore the decks of the ferry, revisit a time long past,  I'm sure for many of you, relive a time when you once enjoyed a ride across Sydney Harbour on the Lady Denman.





Take a journey below the decks of the Lady Denman. http://jervisbaymaritimemuseum.blogspot.com/2018/06/a-rare-look-below-decks-of-lady-denman.html

On this Day June 12th 1930

As the “The Depression” worsened The Navy Budget was much reduced and the decision was taken on this day to move the Royal Australian Naval College from Jervis bay to the Flinders Naval Depot.
I will be adding to this story next week…

It’s all in the detail

The museum has an amazing collection of historic swords and the handles in particular are adorned with extraordinary detail.
You just have to take the time to look.

These images were shot through glass so please excuse the glare.
The top 3 images are examples of British Officers Pattern Swords introduced to the Royal Navy around 1805
the same pattern sword that Lord Horatio Nelson used at the time of his death during the Battle of Trafalgar.

Caves Beach

Shaped by fire.
The Shoalhaven has many beautiful natural areas, rich in wildlife and vegetation.
This panorama was taken from a position overlooking Caves Beach, normally you would not be able to get this sort of photo from here, but the bushfires have stripped all the vegetation back and opened up the view.

The Schooner “Gleaner” wrecked June 8th 1901

If you have been following this blog, it can be seen by the number of wrecks along the south coast that the south coast can be a considerably dangerous place for shipping.
Frequent large storms and strong coastal currents caused many ships to be lost, many simply left port and the ship and crew were never heard of again.

Example of a Two masted schooner from the time.






Many of the coastal ports were exposed and lacked protection.
In the 1800/1900’s Bawley Point had a thriving industry, ship building and the shipping trade were vital to the local economy.

Driven ashore.
On June the 8th 1901 the small 115 ton, two masted coastal schooner “The Gleaner” was loading timber at Bawley Point during a storm.
The ship was driven onshore when the hawser from the permanent mooring parted and the consequent parting of the two lines to the shore and the dragging of the anchor which allowed the vessel to go on shore and be wrecked.

The loss and replacement of any vessel would have been a major economic burden to the company involved, especially during the 1890’s depression.

1901 - The Marine Court Inquiry found that no blame is imputable to the master or any one else.

hawser (ˈhoːzə) noun - a thick rope or a steel cable for towing ships or tying them to a dock

 









REF:
http://www.heritagearchaeology.com.au/Douglas%20Mawson.htm

 









Saturday 7th 2014
The Museum played host to the World Environment day celebrations on the grounds surrounding the museum.
It was a huge success, The place was abuzz with people, Children and adults all having a fantastic time.
There was a large variety of stalls, different environmental organisations were represented.
Booderie National Park, Marine and fisheries, solar power,  the Native Plant Society and many more.

Wildlife rescue
The wildlife rescue stand was a real feature, large slithering pythons had everyone fascinated, live music drifted across the grounds from four locations.
The smell from the B,B,Q made you hungry, a fantastic day culminating with a spectacular light show and ceremony accompanied by the sounds of beating drums surrounding the fish pond that night.
I'm sure there will be some very tired volunteers, every one of you is appreciated and the Denman thanks you for your hard work and making it a such a memorable day.

Video by the Lady Denman Production Unit

Young Australian 1864

The Young Australian built at Huskisson was a three masted schooner and the first to be built in a colonial ship yard. By their labour and enterprise produced a vessel of which they may well be proud.

APRIL 8 1864.

A new vessel called the Young Australian,  arrived in Sydney from Jervis Bay a few days since and discharged her cargo at Cuthbert’s Wharf. As a specimen of colonial shipbuilding and as evidence of energy and enterprise on the part of her owner and builder, she deserves especial notice and attention.
The Young Endeavour is rigged as a three masted schooner,  and is about 200 tons burthen.
She was built at Jervis Bay principally by the personal labour of her owner, Mr Dent, and his sons  under the direction of Mr Woods.   She is probably one of the strongest and most carefully built vessels ever launched.  She is copper-bolt.  Her keel is 20 feet in length,  and consists of one piece of timber.  The keelson is of similar dimensions,  and these two being bolted together in the strongest manner form a solid three feet in depth.
The Young Australian was built in the spot where the timber grew – at Currambene Creek, Jervis Bay; and she bought to Sydney the finest cargo of hardwood ever seen in this port.   It has been purchased by Mr Cuthbert for shipbuilding purposes,  is now lying on his wharf,  and is well worthy of inspection.
Some of the pieces are seventy feet long and are straight as arrows.  They have all been squared by the axe,  and are as true and smooth as to have been turned out by machinery.
The cargo consists of 65,000 cubic feet,  and we understand that the Young Australian is about to be dispatched for a still larger quantity.  Her capacity will allow her to take 80,000 feet,  and as there is an almost inexhaustable quantity of the finest timber in the word at Jervis Bay,  it is probable that a considerable trade with Sydney and other ports will spring up.
The Young Australian has been built by Mr Dent expressly for this trade – and we cannot doubt that his expectations will be fully realised.
Mr Dent and his sons are,  we believe natives of this city or it’s neighbourhood;  and they will certainly have by their labour and enterprise produced a vessel of which they may well be proud.

A dark future lay ahead.

After leaving Jervis Bay these mighty hand crafted vessels headed for many destinations and were used for many different enterprises.

Little did anyone know the beautiful Young Australian would soon be involved in the notorious trade of “Blackbirding” in the South Pacific

Left is an example of a three masted schooner built at Huskisson by the Dents - The Huddersfield.

Blackbirding – violence and brutality

Blackbirding as it was called involved  persuading and coercing of islanders as cheap labour to work in the sugar cane fields of Queensland.
The trade proved so lucrative that violence and brutality were used to recruit reluctant natives
In 1868, while the Young Australian was on a recruiting voyage to supply the cotton plantations of Fiji, three natives of the New Hebrides, who had been kidnapped, were shot and murdered on board, after causing a disturbance. Following this quelling of the disturbance  230 men and six women were sold in Levuka for 1200 pounds. Some time later news of the shootings  leaked out and the captain Albert Hovell and one of his men were tried in Sydney and found guilty of murder.
The death sentence was imposed on the two men, but later remitted to life imprisonment.
Later escaping justice on a technicality on appeal and left Australia to live in the islands in exile.
Blackbirding began in Australia with Robert Towns who imported the first of the South Sea Islanders and ended following an Act of Parliament in 1904.

Secret name changes, corrupt goings on.
The Young Australian was one of the vessels that changed its identity for the Fijian slave trade. At his trial, the captain, Albert Ross Hovell, revealed that it was the custom to clear from Sydney under the name Young Australian with a small general  cargo. At Levuka, the name would be changed to Young Australia and the vessel would be re-registered and provided with new papers  by the British Consul while engaged in the 'blackbirding' trade to Fiji.

May god have mercy on our souls.
On its last arrival in Sydney on 14 May 1877, just 11 days before it was lost at Curdies Inlet, it was still known as the Young Australian.
 
Wrecked 25 May 1877
While on a voyage from Maryborough, Qld to Adelaide it struck heavy weather off Cape Nelson.
Its fore main rigging was carried away causing the foremast to spring. The vessel nearly sank by the stern when carried aback by one squall, one of the crew threw a message in a bottle overboard to his sister to say they were lost and may God have mercy on their souls - it was later found on Warrnambool beach.
The schooner made for a break in the outer reef off Curdies River and went ashore there.
One of the crew William drowned while trying to get a line ashore. A line was eventually got ashore and the crew were cared for by local settlers. Police constables from Camperdown and Warrnambool guarded the wreck from "landsharks hovering about, waiting for an opportunity for plunder"

The wreck has never been found.

 Manifest at the time.
70 hogsheads and some quarter casks of rum, 150 tons sugar
1864: registered in Sydney as Young Australian by 1867 registered as Young Australia 1874: John Fraser: Sydney 1875: A. Muir of Brisbane
1868: Capt. Hovell Captain W. Whitfield  - 7 crew.
Location - Curdie s Inlet, Peterborough South Australia.

REF:
http://www.blackbird.vu/index.php/about-blackbird/history-of-the-trade
http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/shipwrecks/heritage/748
http://www.blackbird.vu/index.php/before-time/australia
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~tonyf/snatchsnatch/

Dramatic Rescue

Cape St George.
Cape St George Lighthouse has a history of tragic events.
Fortunately this one ended ok.
A couple of years ago I was out near the  Light House and took this picture of a dramatic rescue of a boy who had broken his leg at the base of the cliff.
The south coast has many exciting areas to explore but caution is advised.

“A great adventure, most clandestine”

Second attempt to leave Sydney Harbour under the cover of darkness.
I doubt there is another Maritime Museum in the world that started out with such drama and intrigue. Drama that inspired a local community and strong willed people to keep going despite the odds being against them and help preserve the Shoalhaven’s rich maritime history.


June 1st  - 1981
2.00am and the Lady Denman starts her second attempt to leave Sydney Harbour under tow from the M.V. Hollandia. The departure was “most clandestine” in nature as no official approval had been given for the Lady Denman to leave. All went well at first but then the weather turned nasty. The wind rose to 25 knots and the swell to 3 metres. There were times when “the Lady” and her tow were in two different troughs and out of sight of each other. By 9.00pm the Navy was asked to help. HMAS Tobruk took up station to windward to give protection from the wind and a helicopter hovered overhead. They finally made it to the naval dock at HMAS Creswell.

“One of the dramatic images from what became a great adventure, “to bring home the Lady”

Moona Moona Creek

Before the bridge was constructed.
Another picture in our series of historical photographs in the Denman’s Collection.

Lady Denman Produce Markets and World Environment day

This weekend Sat the 7th
The produce markets will be held on the grounds of the Museum
A huge variety of stalls and local produce will be available.
This weekend also marks World Environment Day and in conjunction with the produce markets there will be displays, demonstrations and fun activities as outlined below.
We hope to see you there!

The Lady arrives back home after 70 years away.

On this day May 3rd 1981
The last wooden vessel to be built at Huskisson the M.V Tasman Sea, towed the Lady Denman the last part of the way into Currumbene Creek to tie up to the Rotary Wharf at Huskisson. The Lady tied up almost exactly at the spot where she was launched 70 years earlier in 1911.









 

END OF AN ERA.
The M.V. Tasman Sea.
The completion of the wooden trawler the MV Tasman Sea saw the end of an era in the rich maritime history of Huskisson and Jervis Bay.
The Tasman Sea is the last wooden vessel to be built by John Settree and the Settree family.
John’s grandfather Alfred William Settree arrived in Huskisson in 1932 and built some of the of the largest wooden ships.
Johns father Alfred Raymond Settree took over the business and built many items for the war.

Alfred passed on his skills to John and Trevor, John took over and started building in 1954.

The Tasman Sea was built in 1977 by John, it was later sold to John Marks from Williamstown Victoria.
The Tasman Sea was used in the local fishing industry, but the introduction of the Jervis Bay Marine Park marked the end of commercial fishing in Jervis Bay.

John with a model of the MV Tasman Sea. Ref: http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/2248254/a-seafaring-family-sets-sail/

MUSEUM DISPLAY
The museum has a fascinating display of tools, photographs, models and information from the Dent and Settee families, even the floor of the display is constructed in the same manner as the wooden vessels of the time.
It really is a fantastic place to travel back in time.

REF:
http://www.2st.com.au/news/shoalhaven-news/77626-end-of-an-era-for-legendary-shoalhaven-industry
http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/2248254/a-seafaring-family-sets-sail/

Beautiful artwork

Can you tell us who painted this image?
One for the  budding art historians out there?

A small segment from a beautiful painting in the museums collection.
If you don’t know, I will post the answer and the full painting next week.

The paintings detail, tone and characterisation are beautifully handled.

If you would like to comment you can do so via the link below the post.

Moona Moona under the stars

Unearthing History

Beer, Gin, & Wine.
It appears by the amount of alcohol bottles recovered from around the property it is safe to assume the visitors never suffered from thirst.
Following on from our previous story we can see two more beer bottles unearthed at Croppers Cabins, one clearly marked 1916.

Mokau and the Croppers Cabins

Today I travelled down to the entrance of Sussex Inlet,to the amazing location of the Croppers Cabins to meet Sonya and her husband Danny. Sonya was the person who started my investigation into the wreck of the Mokau back in January 2014. Sonya reported seeing the wrecks outline clearly in the shallows near the entrance to the river.  Sonya has lived there for many, many years and had never seen so much of the wreck exposed before.      From observations today the wreck appears to have been covered in sand again, we were very fortunate to be able to record it’s brief appearance, who knows when it may appear again.

Unearthing history. The cabins Sonya and Danny own have a fantastic and long history themselves, dating back to the early 1900’s, Sonya had an interesting collection of historical photo’s and papers from those days as well as a large collection of old bottles. In the early days before plastics, all the food scraps were thrown into the river, all the paper and cardboard was burnt on site and the glass and bottles were buried. During excavations they have unearthed old bottles of all descriptions, but especially beer bottles. Blow molded, Richmond Brewery Tiger beer bottle around 1962.

H&A Gilbey Ltd Gin bottle early 1800’s to 1900’s.

Visitors enjoying themselves In front of the cabins 1918, not much has changed

REF: Croppers Cabins Previous stories including photo’s and video of the Wreck