MALLANA in its original configuration c1907 on the Tamar River, near Launceston, Tasmania

Images(10)

Lines plan of MALLANA drawn in 2008 by David Payne from dimensions lifted from the yacht.

MALLANA approaching the foreshore jetty at Paynesville on the Gippsland lakes in 1954. Raymond …

L to R: Ian Wilson, Brian Mentiplay, Keith Johnstone and Leigh Robinson on board MALLANA for a…

MALLANA on the slips at Bull's yard in 1954

MALLANA at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron September 2007.

Mallana

Vessel numberHV000075

Builder Fred Moore

Designer Fred Moore

Previous owner Park Family

Date1907

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 13.11 m x 3.69 m x 1.53 m (43 ft x 12.1 ft x 5 ft)

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Bruce Stannard

DescriptionMALLANA's builder Fred Moore worked in his own business in Northern Tasmania in the early years of the 20th century. His early history is not well documented, but it does appear he was part of Moore Bros in the late 19th century, and it is also understood he had been in partnership with another significant Launceston builder E.A. 'Ned' Jack during this period. However in 1900 Moore set up his own firm.

It is interesting to compare similarities between OIMARA (HV000056) designed and built by Jack in 1912 and MALLANA. Both were designed as shallow draft yachts for the Tamar River, but have since had changes to their configuration. MALLANA began its life with a centreboard, but this was removed at some unknown time, and the keel depth was increased about 250 mm to compensate. It has always sailed with internal ballast only and no external ballast keel and is an ideal inshore yacht. OIMARA also had its centreboard removed, but became an offshore sailing craft.

MALLANA is double planked in Huon pine, and the strength and rot resistant qualities of this wood have contributed to the yachts longevity. The other factor has been that the yacht has been constantly used and well maintained by a succession of owners. It was launched as a ketch with a generous sailplan. A considerable period was spent on the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria, where its shallow draft was ideal. Norman 'Skip' Shepherd kept MALLANA on the lakes from 1922 to 1939, when it was sold to a syndicate including Orme Forster from Maffra, who continued to sail it in that area.

Forster sold MALLANA in the 1950s to Melbourne owner Clifford Mentiplay. He had a holiday home at Paynesville and kept MALLANA on a mooring on the upper part of Newlands Arm on the lakes. Bryan James lived overlooking the mooring and helped look after MALLANA for Mr Mentiplay. James recalls the yacht was barely sailed and used mostly as a motor vessel for day trips on the lakes. In return for their service the James family had opportunities to use MALLANA for themselves and enjoyed holiday camping trips aboard. MALLANA was later bought by Tom Hackett of Paynesville around 1959 - 1960.

There are many stories of its time on the lakes where it was well known. An important race it sailed in was the Legacy race around Raymond Island which raised funds for Legacy. Keith Borthwick who sailed on it during this time recalled that Tom Hackett changed the gaff rig to a Bermudan sailplan to make it a faster yacht, while another crew member recalls the mast breaking during a strong easterly beat back from Paynesville. There is a conflicting story about its configuration too, with the suggestion that it came to Gippsland with a long keel and 6 feet of draft, but because of the shallow lake bottom this was converted to a centreplate and internal ballast, making the yacht more tender. There is also another reminder of MALLANA's time on the lakes; Camp Mallana on the Banksia Peninsula still carries the yacht's name.

In 1980 MALLANA moved north to Queensland under new ownership, and when it changed hands again in 1993 it came into the possession of Lesley Sheperd's family, and Lesley had spent her childhood on MALLANA over 60 years earlier.

MALLANA remains in excellent sailing condition with a gaff ketch rig, shorter than the original spars, but in 2006 there are plans being made to re-create the original larger rig proportions with new spars and sails. The elegant profile with the short spoon bow, smaller canoe stern and varnished superstructure was enhanced by a bulwark rail added on sometime before the 1920s. It has a wonderful open layout, with a big cockpit that leads into a large saloon with berths and settees.
SignificanceMALLANA is a wooden crusing yacht built in Tasmania in 1907. It is an example of a yacht built initially for use on the Tamar River, which was then modified and sailed succesfully in other regions. MALLANA was designed and built in 1907 by Launceston builder Fred Moore who was a well-known Tasmanian builder of that period.