Skip to main content
ARCHIE BADENOCH in its major role as Police Vessel
Archie Badenoch
ARCHIE BADENOCH in its major role as Police Vessel
ARCHIE BADENOCH in its major role as Police Vessel
Reproduced courtesy South Australian Maritime Museum

Archie Badenoch

Vessel numberHV000140
Vessel Registration Number20549
Previous owner (Australian, founded 1913)
Designer (Australian, founded 1913)
Date1942
DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 12.19 m x 11.78 m x 3.66 m x 1.6 m, 14.07 tonnes (40 ft x 38.66 ft x 12 ft x 5.25 ft, 14.3 tons)
DescriptionThe motor vessel ARCHIE BADENOCH was built at the General Motors Holden plants at Woodville and Birkenhead South Australia, and launched late in 1942 or possibly early 1943. It was constructed as a Second World War supply-tender vessel for the Royal Australian Navy.

In 1946 the craft was acquired by the South Australian Police Department and served as the Number One Police Launch. The vessel was named by the police department to commemorate mounted police constable Archibald Badenoch, the first South Australian police officer to be killed in action at El Alamein, North Africa in 1942.

From around 1946 to 1978 the ARCHIE BADENOCH was the only all-weather deep-sea patrol vessel in local waters. During its time as the principal police launch, the ARCHIE BADENOCH established an outstanding sea working record, featuring in hundreds of rescues throughout South Australian coastal waters and saving many lives. After 32 years of loyal service the vessel was retired in 1978.

Following a major restoration project under the direction of the South Australian Maritime Museum, ARCHIE BADENOCH is now used as an excursion vessel at Port Adelaide.

Prepared from material supplied by the South Australian Maritime Museum.

SignificanceARCHIE BADENOCH is a wooden launch built in South Australia during World War II. It is significant as the first South Australian Police launch after the Second World War. It has a long and important association with the community through its police activities.
YANNERGEE on the Murray River in 2007
General Motors Holden Ltd.
1942
KRAIT restored for the 75th Anniversary event on 26th September 2018 at the ANMM wharves.
c 1934
PREMIER as a fishing boat in the 1930s
Percy Coverdale
1922
ARALLA around 1966
W Gates
1928
MAY QUEEN, June 2012
Alexander Lawson
1867
VIGILANT early in 2008 at Hobart Tasmania .
Ray Kemp
1971
On display at WAMM
West Australian Department of Harbour & Lights
1958
HDML 1321 in Melbourne in 1956
Purdon and Featherstone
1943
KALINDA on Cowan Creek, NSW in 2011, restored to its original condition.
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1950
1956, a flooded Murrimbidgee River, and CONRAE II is pulled up near the hotel at Forsyth St Wag…
Ernie Rae
1940s
SILVER STREAK restored
Clifford Hadley
1923