CURLEW at Port Sorell in Tasmania in 2005

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Curlew

Vessel numberHV000127

Vessel Registration NumberR30

Date1914

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 11.58 m x 3.2 m x 1.37 m, 11.81 tonnes (38 ft x 10.5 ft x 4.5 ft, 12 tons)

DescriptionCURLEW was thought to have been launched in 1914 from Charles Lucas’ yard at Battery Point in Hobart Tasmania. The connection to Lucas as builder was confirmed when an account of his life was published in 1937 in the Hobart Mercury.

The Huon pine planked hull has an almost plumb stem and overhanging counter, features seen on many Tasmanian fishing vessels. It was fitted out as a yawl-rigged open boat, and used for fishing. Graham Broxam recorded details about CURLEW in his book on existing Tasmanian vessels 'Those that Survive'. The first report of CURLEW was when it raced in the fishing boat class at the February 1915 Hobart Regatta. It was noted as being 34 ft (10.36 m) on the waterline, owned by C Plowman and skippered by G Chesterman, a well known name in Tasmanian trading ketches. It later sailed in the same event in 1921 and won that race when possibly owned by the Chambers brothers who were known to be the owners around 1919.

Not much is known about its activities other than it has remained in operation as a commercial fishing boat throughout its life, and is still in class 3C survey, working out of Port Sorell. It must be one of the few vessels in Australia to have such a long continuous period of commercial operation and survey.

CURLEW now has a full-decked hull with a wheelhouse and high bulwarks, and it is not known exactly when these features were added. They are consistent with the evolution of its fishing operations over many years, and are built over the existing hull. The original sheerline is clearly visible and the original hull is in good condition. CURLEW now has a 66kw Ford diesel installed, and has a ketch rig.
SignificanceCURLEW is an early example of a typical Tasmanian fishing vessel. It was constructed by the important Hobart builder Charles Lucas around 1914 and is a good exmaple of a fishing vessel from this period.