Bringing The Derwent Hunter Home

Preserving History, we need Your help. For Every donation your name will go on a brass plate saying you helped restore the Derwent Hunter.

The Derwent Hunter is a 90ft topsail schooner designed and built by Walter Wilson in 1946.The Wilson's of port Cygnet have been a significant firm in Tasmania's Ship building History established 1870.

Derwent Hunter was the last vessel designed by Walter Wilson in 1946 he reputedly poured all of his expertise into the design and construction.

Built for Arthur Drysdale the original owner of wrest Point she was launched April 15th, 1946.

Purchased by the CSIRO in 1950 and become Australia's first oceanographic research vessel, 1950-1962 she worked under sail roving from Antarctic waters and as far north as Noumea and the outer pacific basin. In 1969 The Eye-Catching lines gained her Fame and fortune when she was chosen to become the "Pacific Lady" in hit family Television series "The Rovers".

Now we Have found her in Cardwell QLD out of the Water and in need of an incredible amount of repair so much so that we Need your Help to Save her and bring the Derwent Hunter home.

Hobart Has a Strong Maritime History, Much of It Sadly, Lost in Time

Derwent Hunter is An Extremely Important Part of This and Must be saved for Future Reflection on Both the Skills Of those Ship builders and the work that the Ships have Done to help Form our Island State.

When she has undergone All repairs She will return to our Waters, once again gracing the Derwent with her Majestic Beauty.

She is The Perfect Addition to our Historic Tall Ship Fleet, and with The Upcoming AWBF Early 2025 please if you can assist in Making this a Reality it would be so wonderful, and we All can be Part of Retaining Tasmanian/Australian Maritime History.

I will Update with current photos, and her journey to recovery.

Here we have a list, no doubt we will be adding to this list as work commences.

Defects/Recommendations:

• Unused electrical wiring is to be terminated correctly.

• Cover on 24v user electrical panel in the engine room to have ISO approved locking mechanism fitted.

• Underside deck plank maintenance required in the engine room (noting the deck is actually double planked) and repairs to the main deck beam in the engine room.

• Replace the engine room diaphragm bilge pump.

• Most of the hose clamps in the engine room are to be replaced.

• Oil and filters are recommended to be replaced in the main engine.

• The auxiliary engine was reported to be replaced – A new electrical compliance certificate is required when the new auxiliary is fitted.

• The foremast needs to be re-stepped before the boat is moved.

• A qualified person/s should undertake a full rig inspection prior to the next voyage with any recommendations to be undertaken.

• There is timber rot in the forward cabin main bulkhead (aft section of cabin). As the foremast is out of the vessel, access is improved and repairs are suggested whilst the mast is not in the way to allow easier access.

• The vessel will require all systems to be checked and proven before the vessel is readied for re-launch

• Also see sub section comments in the bulk of the report.

• Anchor chain to be ranged out to correctly inspect the chain and confirm it is still serviceable.

• Hull topsides to be grave boxed; in areas of rot which have been identified.

• Assessment of the diminishing deck camber should be monitored and explored further by shipwrights.

• All fire apparatus to be serviced with correct certification

• Starboard fuel tank showing heavy rust on the bottom of tank. This should be treated and monitored to prevent further waste of steel.

• A full rigging inspection to be conducted with relative certification.

• Carley float to be removed / replaced (Currently heavily water logged)

Saving H

0