How’s Your Maritime History?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our readers often get in touch with us to ask for help from other mariners to fill in blank spots in the record of an historical boat or a notable character in Tasmanian maritime history.  We’re happy to pass along these enquiries and we’re frequently amazed at the depth of knowledge displayed.  Here are two recent enquiries, from Queensland and Victorian readers, hopeful that one of Tasmania’s ‘Old Sea Dogs’ can shed some light on their research.  If you can help, please reply directly to the email addresses they have supplied.

My name is Alan McKay which, as you’d know, is a name synonymous with wooden boats in Hobart. Many of my relatives sailed in the old wooden ketches and of course Harold Charles McKay built many a fine vessel in his lifetime. My father was Bob McKay, a well known figure around the waterfront for many years both as a skipper of the May Queen and a master of several steamers and in his latter years, master of the Marine Board’s landing barge, Kulanda.

I was pleased to read about the restoration of Nancy and the happy fate of the Huon pine launch Tuna, both featured in your newsletter. I have a huge interest in the old vessels of Hobart and am trying to find out about two other vessels: what were their names and what became of them?

The two boats I’m seeking some information on are, firstly, a 20′ – 25’ launch which belonged to Keith Cowles and was used primarily (in the 1960s at least), to convey the quarantine inspector and Commonwealth doctor out to the  multitude of Japanese fishing boats that we saw in Hobart in the 60s and 70s. I did know Keith’s son David but my search has revealed that he died some time ago. Secondly a launch, about the same size, which belonged to one of my relatives, Trevor McKay (brother of C H McKay).  In his later years Trevor lived aboard her, moored on the western side of the old Brooke St Pier. I believe Charles Harold would have built this launch, but I’m not sure. When Trevor died in the late 1960s, the boat was taken by his brother to Prince Of Wales Bay. I never saw her again.

I would really appreciate if one of your readers could shed some light on the fate, or otherwise just the names, of these two vessels.  I can be reached at almac12@iprimus.com.au  by phone on 0412 135 700 or by post to:  Alan McKay, 44 Jessica Blvd. MINYAMA  QLD  4575[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”950″ img_size=”1200×800″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The 100-year old motor launch Nancy was the subject of a recent AWBF article[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

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