Grey Nurse

Vessel numberHV000606

Vessel Registration Number22112

Previous owner 18th Launceston Sea Scouts

Date1915

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 8.53 m x 8.38 m x 2.21 m x 1 m, 1.5 tonnes (28 ft x 27.5 ft x 7.25 ft x 3.28 ft, 1.48 tons)

DescriptionGREY NURSE is 8.5 m long, carvel planked in Huon pine by EA ‘Ned’ Jack at his Launceston boat yard in the north of Tasmania in 1915 during World War I. It was heavily built for the Launceston Marine Board for a variety of duties. It was known as No 3 Sounding Launch which reflected a principal role, sounding the channel regularly and lighting the channel markers. It also carried out other general duties and is known to have been used to carry explosives as well, in times when dynamite was used for various clearing purposes.

‘Ned’ Jack was one of Tasmania’s principle builders in the northern coast line along with Fred Moore, and built a large number of vessels for private and commercial work. His craft were built strongly to a high standard and the long operational life for GREY NURSE reflects ‘Ned’ Jack’s workmanship. It is not known when the Government disposed of the launch; however it has been recorded that it was carrying explosives in 1964, and is likely to have been in government service for that work. It was acquired by the Launceston Sea Scouts in 1970 and has had several owners in the Port Sorell area since its government work ceased. Brett Cuthbertson from Tamar yacht Club was also an owner from 2004 until 2009 when the current owner bought the vessel. It had then been named DREADOUGHT -S.L.3.

S.L.2 was built at the same time but lost in an accident in South Australia.

The current owner of S.L.3 has renamed it GREY NURSE and has the vessel fitted out for recreational fishing out of Triabunna. It has an enclosed wheelhouse, and mast with a steadying sail that also allows the craft to run downwind under sail alone. The current engine is a Perkins, fitted in 2014, replacing a Lister SL3 diesel, while the original engine is understood to have been a Lister twin cylinder petrol motor. the vessel is slipped regularly.

SignificanceGREY NURSE is a wooden launch built in Tasmania in 1915. It was built by well-known Launceston boat builder EA ’Ned’ Jack, and used by the Launceston Marine Board for duties on the Tamar River. It is now a recreational launch with a contemporary wheelhouse and in use as a fishing boat in rougher waters off the east coast of Tasmania. It is one of about a dozen or so of ‘Ned’ Jack built craft currently known to be extant, and represents one of his commercial launches.