MYSTERY at top speed on a calm day in Port Hacking NSW during the 1930s.

Images(3)

MYSTERY comes back out of its shed for the first time in many years. A crowd has assembled to s…

Mystery

Vessel numberHV000070

Owner Australian National Maritime Museum

Date1932

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 5.8 m x 1.68 m x 0.23 m (19 ft x 5.5 ft x 0.75 ft)

DescriptionThe 5.8 m (19 ft) long veteran power boat or speed boat was built in 1931-32 by Jim Laing at Cronulla NSW. MYSTERY's design was based upon the American Hacker and ChrisCraft single chine hulls, popular in the USA and often featured in magazines. It is not an exact interpretation, the design shows features in its proportions and construction which a professional designer or builder would not have done. For example the hull sections forward develop considerable shape over a small distance rather then changing gradually along the forward third of the hull bottom. However, the craft performed satisfactorily for its owners and is an excellent example of the period when home made ingenuity using available information and materials was often the only way a luxury item could be obtained.

The construction features include a hard chine hull of 150 mm (6 in) wide kauri planking and a deck of 75 mm (3 in) maple planking. MYSTERY was designed and built for use with the Port Hacking Rowing and Motor Boat Club. It has a V8 Ford Vospor petrol motor which was installed in the 1950s, replacing the original motor. The speed attained was approximately 40mph in the 1970s.

Late in the 1980s MYSTERY was acquired by the Australian National Maritime Museum and became part of the National Maritime Collection.

SignificanceMYSTERY is a wooden speedboat built in 1932. it was amateur designed and built by Jim Laing and is an example of a Depression era motor launch, built on limited means. It represents the resourceful nature of many during this period and their ability to achieve a luxury item despite the difficult circumstances during that period.