Images(4)

Victoria

Vessel numberHV000707

Vessel Registration NumberMSV 11755

Previous owner Australian Army

Builder Botterill & Frazer

Previous owner Public Works Department of NSW

Datec1944

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 12.19 m × 3.81 m × 0.61 m (40 ft × 12.5 ft × 2 ft)

DescriptionThe 12.19m long craft is carvel planked with a combination of planked and panelled superstructure that has been adapted and changed over many years. It is powered by a V8 Cadillac petrol engine.

VICTORIA’s builder, Botterill and Fraser were a well-known yard in South Melbourne, established in the 1930s, and like many yards they took on the production of military small craft during World War 2. The 40 ft workboats were needed to fill a variety of roles, and VICTORIA served for the Australian Army as AM1725 KERLONG then later AWB 414 from about 1945 through to 1947. During this period it may have served as a patrol boat in PNG, however in 1946 the vessel has been recorded as being on loan to SVSO Royal Edward Victualling Yard m Sydney and used by the Victualling Store officer. It then became’ surplus to requirements’ and in in 1947 it was surveyed at Blackwattle Bay Small Craft Disposal Base where it was noted that the clutch needed repair and the glass in a skylight was broken, value was given at 800 pounds.

In March 1947 the NSW Public Works Department purchased the vessel for use in Port Kembla harbour and made associated improvements to the boat that included shelter and other equipment for its role.

Around June 1950 it was purchased by Victorian authorities, taken south by road and put to use for towing duties and general transportation on the inland waterways of the Hume Weir. In 1956 the NSW Water Supply and Sewerage Authority took over the vessel and continued operating it. In either 1978 or 1979 it was taken over by the Victorian State River & Water Supply authority and moved to Dartmouth Dam on the Mitta Mitta River to the south east of the Hume Weir. It was given the name VICTORIA and in 2016 remains in use on the dam with one of its principal tasks being to move the 75 tonne maintenance barge around this extensive waterway. The current Victorian state authority it works under is Goulburn Murray Water.

It has been maintained regularly and repaired as required to keep it in a good operational condition.

SignificanceVICTORIA is a 40 ft wooden Army workboat built in Melbourne during World War II. It was built at the Botterill and Fraser boat yard and used from 1944 to 1947, numbered AWB 414. It subsequently had a varied working life for public works in NSW and then inland Victoria, initially on the Hume Weir and finally Dartmouth Dam. During this time the superstructure and cabin have evolved with its changes in use, but It remains in operation and is a rare example of the many of these built that has both survived and continue to have a productive working life.