SUZIE in 2007, recently restored to excellent condition.

Images(3)

SUZIE's sleek underbody is a classic round bilge hull form.

Miss Ally

Vessel numberHV000248

Vessel Registration NumberQW 398Q

Builder Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd (1924 -)

Designer Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd (1924 -)

Date1948

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 5.49 m x 1.83 m x 0.61 m (18 ft x 6 ft x 2 ft)

DescriptionMISS ALLY was originally called SEA EFF and was commissioned from Halvorsen's by prominent Sydney hotelier Claude Fay. The name was a play on his initials. MISS ALLY was job number 892 at Halvorsen's Ryde yard on the Parramatta River, NSW, and was delivered to the owner in mid-April 1948 at a cost of 768 pounds. This was Fay's second Halvorsen vessel, his original craft a much larger motor cruiser of the same name SEA EFF, which is now known as LYNDALL II (HV000110).

The carvel planked hull is 5.49 m (18 ft) long and the boat is now fitted with a 22 kW Renault diesel engine. The wooden structure used spotted gum, Oregon and Queensland maple timbers. MISS ALLY was used as a recreational launch for fishing and day cruising around Sydney Harbour. Fay had it moored down at the Spit Bridge on Middle Harbour, and was originally fitted with a Morris 'Vedette' petrol engine. This was replaced with the Renault in the early 1980s.

In the late 1980s it was sold from the Fay estate to Dr Phillip Whistler, who took it to Lord Howe Island. It was moored at Lovers Bay on the island's lagoon. In 2005 it was shipped back to the mainland for rebuilding and sold to retired shipwright Bill Griffiths. He worked with his son, over an 18 month period to restore the craft to good condition. It was renamed SUZIE by Griffiths, after his wife's name. In 2009 it was sold again and renamed MISS ALLY after the new owner's wife.

Since it was launched most of the original structure has remained intact, but a duck board had been added at the stern. The current owner plans to remove many of the more recent plywood additions to the fitout and replank the deck to keep the craft in excellent condition for years to come.
SignificanceMISS ALLY is a small Sydney Harbour trailer launch built in 1948 by prolific Sydney boatbuilders Lars Halvorsen Sons. MISS ALLY is an example of the smaller range of recreational craft built by this long-standing firm, better known for its luxury cruisers, fleet of hire boats and wartime military vessels.