Impulse

Vessel numberHV000776

Date1928

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 4.42 m × 4.27 m × 1.68 m × 0.46 m (14.5 ft × 14 ft × 5.5 ft × 1.5 ft)

DescriptionThe 14ft 6-inch-long open motor launch is clinker planked and uses Queensland Maple and Western Red Cedar, with mangrove grown knees. Clausen’s yard was at Birkenhead in Port Adelaide, and they built a wide variety of craft. This is a rare example of a small launch from his yard that remains extant.

The information on its early years is from the recollections of the 1976 owner, Fred Metheringham. He had known the boat for many years and is understood to have been on the vessel as a young boy in 1930. Fred named the boat JOHNNIE in honour of his son who was killed in a car accident. Whilst in his possession the vessel largely spent its years in a shed unused. Fred owned IMPULSE until ill health saw the vessel sold to Colin Stevens in 1986.

Colin also used it rarely and it was last used for the tall ship event at Port Adelaide in April 1988. When he purchased the launch from Fred the block was split open. Colin put another Blaxland Engine in the vessel which he used in the tall ships event. That engine also cracked and he put back the original engine, because it had the crank handle, with the intention of overhauling it but never managed to get this done.

By July 2012 Colin realised he was not going to use the boat again due to health issues and put the boat up for sale. The boat came with a wooden trailer purpose built for it together with oars, a spare fuel tank, a total of three magnetos, numerous spark plugs, a canvas dodger, a complete cover and some tools.

The current owners renamed the vessel IMPULSE using the same nameplate’s reverse side. The engine was frozen and the planking, whilst in excellent order, required attention. From August 2012 to October 2012 the engine and hull were restored. The engine required a new cylinder block, exhaust manifold, set of rings, gear leaver and a gasket set.

The maiden voyage under the vessel’s new name occurred on the River Torrens on November 4th 2012 some 23&1/2 years since IMPULSE was last on the water.

In 2013 IMPULSE went to sea at Port Victoria and circumnavigated Wardang Island (38 kms). The vessel has also travelled from Goolwa to Riverside at Clayton and up the Coorong to the Saharas (Godfrey’s landing). Restoration work has continued with decks sealed and varnished, fittings re-chromed and the canvas cover and dodger replaced. IMPULSE remains in regular use.

SignificanceIMPULSE is a wooden motor launch built in South Australia in 1928. It was built by well-known Port Adelaide builder by J.P. Clausen and is an example of launch from his yard and its excellent standard of workmanship. It was built for either a senior employee of Le Messurier timber or the principal, Mr Le Messurier.