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SIESTA  on a slipway in South Australia, date unknown
Siesta
SIESTA  on a slipway in South Australia, date unknown
SIESTA on a slipway in South Australia, date unknown
Private Collection

Siesta

Vessel numberHV000289
Vessel Registration NumberBU 395
Date1935
DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 10.2 m x 9.3 m x 2.7 m x 0.8 m, 9.28 tonnes (33.47 ft x 30.51 ft x 8.86 ft x 2.62 ft, 9.43 tons)
DescriptionThe 10.2 metre (33 feet) long cruiser is planked in New Zealand kauri and was launched as KINGAR for Mr & Mrs W K Garnsey, members of the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Rose Bay, Sydney. Its history is not well documented and the Australian Register of British Ships pages show only that it went through a succession of five owners in Sydney during the 1940s. During this period the name was changed to JUBILEE STAR. Sometime after 1952 it was taken to South Australia and Lake Alexandrina.

The cruiser's launching ceremony in Sydney, however, was well documented in the May 1935 issue of the Sydney journal, International Power Boat and Aquatic Monthly. This is a testament to the standing of the builders AG Williams in what was then a competitive market for Sydney builders.

The magazine, whose editors never missed an opportunity to promote products, noted it was luxuriously fitted, powered by a 56 hp Gray engine, and carried a Kreisler wireless and Coleman stove. The report described the day:

'After the christening ceremony, the Gray motor soon ticked over, and the first port of call was the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Rose Bay. All of the visitors were entertained at the club house by the host and hostess: and toasts were celebrated to the happy and enjoyable days in the KINGAR. There is no doubt that a surprise speed will be accounted for when the Gray engine is properly tuned up. The KINGAR glided through the water splendidly, and during the cruise everything was going splendid, until . . .' . The story then goes off at a tangent to describe a mishap to a guest, as though it was the feature of the passage to the club, then returns to focus on KINGAR, noting the builders expected 'KINGAR to be one of the winners of events before the season closes'.

In 2009 the vessel remained in good condition with minor repairs to the superstructure and deck. It shows the characteristic styling of a Williams launch with its wheelhouse adjacent to the beginning of the raised deck, with a lower saloon aft cockpit at the transom. Higher guardrails have been fitted forward, and the raised cabin top over the aft cockpit lowered to align with the saloon cabin top.




SignificanceSIESTA is a motor cruiser built in 1935 by AG Williams in Drummoyne, New South Wales, well known in that period for quality launches and motor craft. It has had some minor repairs and modifications undertaken during its 70 year lifespan but retains the typical Williams styling and craftsmanship of the mid-1930s. Although originally a Sydney boat, SIESTA has spent almost 60 years on Lake Alexandrina, South Australia.
YARRAWONGA in 2016
Charles Larson
1939
CANOBIE in the early period of in racing career in Hobart
William Hand Jnr
1912
KATHLEEN GILLETT racing in Gaffer's Day 2004 on Sydney Harbour.
Colin Archer
1939
FRANCESCA in 2009 on the Derwent River, Tasmania
A G Williams
1927
Petrel
Arch Logan
1900
PREANA at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in 2009
Robert Inches
1896
A drawing of the STAR OF AUSTRALIA, with profile and plan views superimposed.
George Green
1863
MAHITA on the slips for maintenance showing the typical Williams flare at the bow, and cabin de…
A G Williams
1939
STAN -  AWB 441 at the Classic and Wooden Boat Festival in 2012.
Botterill & Frazer
c 1943
On Lake Alexandrina in 1887-89
Willans and Robinson
1884
CHERANA in 2010
Trevor Gowland
1959