HMAS TALLAROOK at Port Melbourne in 1951

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Tallarook

Vessel numberHV000167

Vessel Registration Number854309

Vessel Registration NumberGPV 968

Previous owner Hursey Seafoods

Builder Green Point Naval Boatyard

Designer Royal Australian Navy (Australian, founded 1913)

Previous owner Royal Australian Navy (Australian, founded 1913)

Date1946

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 22.89 m x 21.09 m x 5.5 m x 2.2 m, 65 tonnes (75.1 ft x 69.2 ft x 18.05 ft x 7.22 ft, 66.04 tons)
Registered Dimensions: 70 tons x 65 tons

DescriptionTALLAROOK was built toward the end of World War II at the Green Point Naval Boatyard located beside the Mortlake punt on the Parramatta River, in Sydney. It was commissioned into the RAN in 1946 and served in many general purpose capacities. These included cable laying, transport duties, and survey work at Geelong and Hobson's Bay in Port Phillip, Victoria. Plans show that the original design was prepared in the early 1930s at Garden Island in Sydney, titled '75 ft Cable Vessel'. It is believed the plans are based on the Royal Navy's British design for a GPV ( General Purpose Vessel) but modiifed to suit Australian construction methods and the RAN's own requirements.

TALLAROOK was decommissioned in the 1960s and was bought by Jim Hursey for use as a fishing trawler with his seafood company in Tasmania. He also used it on the mail route from Hobart to Melbourne.The vessel is almost 23 metres (75 feet) long, displaces 65 tonnes and was understood to be one of the first big fishing boats in Tasmania. In 1969 TALLAROOK was sold again and moved north to Papua New Guinea where it was employed as a mother ship in a cray fishing operation.

TALLAROOK went to Cairns in 1993 and was laid up for a period before the current owners bought the vessel, initially intending to put it back into operation as a trawler. However during this work a major change of direction took place. Inspired by the classic wineglass sections, the owner, in consultation with a naval architect, significantly revised the refit to include a deeper keel made up by adding external ballast. A sailing rig was also added. The conversion has been successful, and the vessel sails well while retaining its good performance as a motor vessel. TALLAROOK has since found a successful career as a diving charter vessel on the Great Barrier Reef.

The original wooden hull and deck remain intact and include four transducers which are still in place from when it was used in survey activities. The hull and deck have been repaired when required, but the changes needed for trawling and the conversion to a yacht have lead to substantial modifications to the superstructure and layout over many years. It also has a new engine and machinery. It is a good example of a vessel evolving and adapting to new uses rather than being abandoned.

TALLAROOK has appeared in at least two movies, starring as an old naval vessel in 'Paradise Roads’ then appearing in 'Fool's Gold' following its conversion to a sailing craft. In 2007 TALLAROOK is part of a small fleet of charter vessels operating under the Tallarook banner in northern Queensland, and its story was featured in an article in the October 2007 issue of AFLOAT magazine.

SignificanceTALLAROOK is a wooden naval vessel built in NSW in the mid 1940s. It is an example of an early post World War II wooden survey and general purpose vessel, built for the Royal Australian Navy to a local design. It has since been adapted to fishing and diving charter operation.