CORALYN and Charles Ritchie, posing for images in Devonport

Images(4)

CORALYN at the wharf with a picnic party aboard for the day

Coralyn

Vessel numberHV000749

Previous owner Flinders Naval Base

Date1915

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 12.27 m × 11.95 m × 1.05 m, 8.13 tonnes (40.25 ft × 39.2 ft × 3.45 ft, 8 tons)

DescriptionCORALYN’s length is 12.29 m from the plumb stem to its canoe stern, with a water line length of 11.94 m, beam of 3.25 m, a draught of 1.04m and displacement of 13 gross tonnes. The planking is 1” NZ Kauri pine on timbers of spotted gum, all copper fastened. Some timbers have been replaced by celery top pine. The keel is brown top stringy bark. CORALYN was ketch rigged for naval work and its spars are all best quality Oregon.

CORALYN’s original use was that of a Naval Pinnace. As a ship's boat, the pinnace is a light boat, propelled by oars or sails, carried aboard merchant and war vessels to serve as a tender. Following its naval service CORALYN was initially used as a tourist boat in Sealers Cove, Victoria in what is known now as Wilsons Promontory. CW Ritchie leased CORALYN out to Mr C Gouldon for this period. It was then fitted with a kerosene powered Gardner 10-12 hp motor.

In 1918 Charles Ritchie senior sailed CORALYN to Tasmania where he used the vessel as a coastal trader and fishing boat working out of Devonport and Port Sorel through to the 1930s. CORALYN was a regular trading vessel to the Port of Strahan on the west coast of Tasmania. Often when in Strahan CORALYN was used as both a tourist boat and piners supply boat on Macquarie Harbor and the Gordon river.

Following the 1930’s Coralyn was sold in turn to a number of Strahan based fishermen all of whom purchased the vessel for its seaworthiness in what could often be a very trying waterway and sea. Owners included RJ Smith 1930-37, Howard Zeehan until 1939, Don Grining until 1952, WE Grining until 1970, finally Laurie Jones and Kel Lewis untill 1980. Charles Ritchie (jnr) then purchased CORALYN and used the vessel for recreational purposes. CORALYN is now undertaking a major restoration program on a private slip in Panatanna Creek, Port Sorrel, Tasmania.
SignificanceCORALYN is a wooden open boat built in Victoria in 1916. It was built by Charles W Ritchie in the Alfred Graving Dock at Nelsons Place, Williamstown on Hobsons Bay, Victoria. It sold to the Department of Navy on 9th December, 1916 on completion as a Naval Pinnace but was later sold back to Charles W Ritchie (circa 1918) where it became a supply and fishing vessel under Ritchie and subsequent owners.