MEGSIE on the way to Hemmet, Queensland in 2007

Images(7)

MEGSIE in 2007 after a complete restoration.

MEGSIE at close to its top speed in the 1940s.

The saloon and dining area in the main cabin.

The beautifully restored foredeck and skylights, a feature of many Halvorsen cruisers.

Inside the spotless engine room on MEGSIE

Megsie

Vessel numberHV000113

Vessel Registration Number191345

Builder Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd (1924 -)

Designer Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd (1924 -)

Date1947

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 15.24 m x 14.63 m x 4.27 m x 1.22 m, 24.61 tonnes (50 ft x 48 ft x 14 ft x 4 ft, 25 tons)

DescriptionMEGSIE is one of the many post-war late 1940s designs by Harold Halvorsen. The motor cruiser was built by Lars Halvorsen and Sons at their Ryde shipyard on the Parramatta River, NSW and launched in 1947. In the British Register of Australian Ships the owner is listed as Mr S.A. Jourdain of Killara NSW, in 1953. It later takes the name JUDITH A in 1960, and then appears to belong to the Buchanans at Church Point NSW. According to a resident of Pittwater it was moored at Newport Anchorage (formelry Holdencraft) for many years, then sold to a Mr Jonson or Johnston, who later sold it in 1968 and it left Pittwater. At this time it was still known as JUDITH A.

MEGSIE has the typical elegant proportions and details of their craft and has been restored to its original level of luxury over four years from 2002 to 2006. Whilst many of these craft have changed to diesel engines, MEGSIE stands out as one of those with its original petrol motors, in this case a twin installation with Chrysler side valve engines manufactured in 1942.

The big Halvorsen vessels like MEGSIE remain flagships for their builders. In 2007 MEGSIE celebrates its 60th year and is much admired wherever it goes.
SignificanceMEGSIE is a motor cruiser built in 1947 in Sydney NSW. It is an example of a Lars Halvorsen Sons luxury motor cruiser from the post war period. It is in excellent condition and represents the fine workmanship and styling for which the firm was well recognized, and maintained as they gradully evolved the styling to suit the period.