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The Milpara Station Sheet metal dinghy in 2010.
Milpara Station sheet metal dinghy
The Milpara Station Sheet metal dinghy in 2010.
The Milpara Station Sheet metal dinghy in 2010.
Private Collection

Milpara Station sheet metal dinghy

Vessel numberHV000418
Previous owner
Date1950s
DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 3.61 m x 1.26 m (11.85 ft x 4.15 ft)
DescriptionMilparra Station purchased this dinghy in the early 1950s, and their records show they paid the Mildura Co-Operative 3 pounds 10 shillings. The sheet metal, galvanised steel sides and bottom were supported by wooden frames and gunwales, and it had a buoyancy tank fitted at the bow and stern. Rivets and solder were used for the sheet metal connections. This basic set of elements was enough for the craft to hold its shape and to be easily repaired, without some of the brackets and knees that would be expected on a dinghy built by a shipwright.

The shape has a fine bow and plenty of beam and this suggests it was created with some influence from typical dinghy designs. The flared topsides over the stern half become more vertical toward the stem, and give the craft an elegant curved sheer profile. However the straight keel line would make the boat uncomfortable in choppy conditions.

The rower sat on a wooden thwart toward midships, and rowlocks and oars were supplied in the price as well. It was built before the floods in 1956, and at that time people were known to have paid 10 pounds for the same type of dinghy.

The dinghy was used to transport goods from Wentworth to the homestead at Milparra, and this would take about half a day. They followed flags tied to the tops of trees to navigate to and from Wentworth.

The craft has remained with Milparra station but in 2010 it is no longer in use.
SignificanceThe Milparra Station Sheet Metal Dinghy is an example of the many regionally built dinghies used on the rivers and lakes of inland Australia. A number of these craft survive, and many were often only taken out for use in times of flood. Along with others of its type, the dinghy uses materials the locals were familiar with and had easy access to, such as sheet metal, rather than using traditional timber materials to build a small vessel. In this case the builders, the Plumbing Section of the Mildura Co-Operative Packing Company (Dried Fruit Division), have used flat, light gauge steel sheet stiffened with wooden sections.
Vessel Highlights
On Lake Alexandrina in 1887-89
Willans and Robinson
1884
Transom view of MAY-BELLE in storage
Sutton and Gay
1895
YANDILLA STATION FLOOD BOAT at the Milmerran and District Historical Society
Toowoomba Foundry Company
1890s
MAY QUEEN, June 2012
Alexander Lawson
1867
The Murray Cod's crew
Messrs Jerrams and Sons
1921
KRAIT restored for the 75th Anniversary event on 26th September 2018 at the ANMM wharves.
c 1934
Water Baby after its restoration
FA Gore & JP Purcell
1878
ESTRELLITA going on display at the Queensland Maritime Museum in 2008
Don Piper (1920-1985)
1951
On Sydney Harbour , date unknown
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1931