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The original invoice from Peter Locke jnr for MAUD.

Maud

Vessel numberHV000223

Vessel Registration NumberC178

Sail NumberC178

Designer Peter Locke

Builder Peter Locke

Vessel type The Couta Boat

Date1931

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 8.02 m (26.33 ft)

DescriptionMAUD was built for Stan Stevens, originally named MAYFLOWER. The vessel's 0.83 m (2 ft 9 inch) draft, shallower than normal, enabled MAUD to cross the sand bar at the entrance to Barwon Heads, a short distance south-west of the entrance to Port Phillip. It is understood that MAUD was engaged in fishing for barracouta in Bass Strait from 1931 until 1996, and also spent time from the 1940s to 1960s further south along the coastline, working out of Apollo Bay. The date of the name change from MAYFLOWER to MAUD is not known.

The vessel is 8.02 m (26 ft 4 in) long, the typical length for a couta boat. It is carvel planked in kauri with a jarrah keel, red gum stem and copper fastened throughout. The contract for the boat, (included as an illustration), shows that Locke charged 210 pounds for the entire vessel including rig and sails, with a 1/3rd deposit and the balance on delivery. Missing from the quote though is the engine, yet Locke included the engine beds and the covering box. Presumably the owner sourced his own engine.

In 2008 MAUD was in good condition, fitted with a diesel auxiliary engine and gaff rig. It is sailed regulary out of Queenscliff, just inside Port Phillip Heads, with other surviving couta boats, and more recently built replicas.

SignificanceMAUD is a wooden sailing vessel built in Victoria for fishing. It is an example of the Victorian couta boat class with a design adaptation for local conditions. It was built and designed by Peter Locke Jnr, at Queenscliff Victoria in 1931, with shallower draft than most couta boats so that it could operate from Barwon Heads. It is the only remaining couta boat from the Barwon Heads fleet.

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