Nepenthes

Vessel numberHV000135

Date1950

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 12.8 m x 11.89 m x 4.27 m x 1.52 m (42 ft x 39 ft x 14 ft x 5 ft)

DescriptionNEPENTHES was originally built for Mr Winston Winter, a Moree grazier and named after his daughter. It is was launched in 1959. The motor crusier is 41ft long, beam 13ft and draft 5ft. It is powered by twin 80hp Ford Lehman diesels.

The second owner was Allan Fozzard. His son (also Allan) relates more about the time they owned it, still under the name KERRIN.

“My father, Allan Fozzard, bought it in the late 1950’s possibly early 1960’s. Then with my two brothers and sister my father used it for the ensuing several years around Pittwater, every six months, moored on what then was the Holden-craft Marina at Newport near the Newport Arms Hotel, and also then the other 6 months of the year, at Sandars Boatshed Marina, as it was then, at Cabarita, on the Parramatta River, until sold to Hawker Pacific (Siddley) in the late 1960’s due to his ill health and that the family had moved on, myself to Perth for a short time. One of my brother’s at that time worked for Hawker Pacific”

The original engines were 3 cylinder Rootes-Lister diesel engines modified from truck engines to a marine application though water cooled. It is thought that the owners after Hawker Siddley sold the vessel may have made the changes to the engines as well as adding the fly-bridge.

In 2000 it was bought in Sydney and taken to Tasmania by its new owner. The crossing was a rough trip.

The name NEPENTHES comes from Greek mythology, and refers to a drug that quelled all sorrows with forgetfulness. Clearly this vessel quells all sorrows and is used enthusiastically including taking part in the 2007 Australian Wooden Boat Festival.

It is in original condition and is a good example of the gradual change in appearance that occurred each decade with as styling evolved for launches and cruisers.

SignificanceNEPENTHES is an example of a late 1950s flying-bridge luxury cruiser built in Newport NSW for recreational use. The builder, G & H Solomon and designer, well known naval architetct Arthur Swinfield from Sydney NSW have made a typical stylish cruiser that reflects the period when these were a popular vessel in the luxury market.