LOUISE at the Geelong Wooden Boat Festival in 2010

Images(6)

An example of lifeboat tender operating from a pilot vessel, in this case the John Oxley.

The Port Phillip pilot schooner RIP in the late 1890s, with a pilot tender on davits.

LOUISE or a close sister vessel serving as a pilot boat tender, date unknown

Louise

Vessel numberHV000343

Vessel Registration NumberDW 48

Previous owner Port Philip Sea Pilots

Datec 1900

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

DescriptionThese craft were ship-based tenders carried aboard the schooner RIP and steam ships VICTORIA and ALVINA. VICTORIA was in service from 1901 to 1956, ALVINA from 1903 to 1924. The tenders were stowed on deck and in davits ready to be lowered as required. The tenders had four thwarts across the boat and two men would row with the coxswain and pilot in the stern.

It is understood that in the period when LOUISE was built by the pilot service the build-date was often carved in the transom, but it is not apparent in this case. The 5.5 metre long vessel is planked in New Zealand kauri and has a blackwood keel, stem and stern post, a timber commonly used by Victorian boatbuilders. According to the Beazley family who know much of the Port Phillip vessel history its likely that Graham Campbell built this boat.

Not much is known of LOUISE'S history. The design of the craft was based on a ships jolly boat, with small modifications made to allow for stable operation in the Bass Strait. It is thought the lifting hooks or eyes were removed in the 1970s, and one side was repaired after being badly damaged when it ran under St Leonards pier, Port Phillip. Whilst it is now known as LOUISE, in its working days it was just one of a number of anonymous craft carrying out its piloting tasks on a daily basis.

The tender has been modified with additions including a Yanmar single cylinder motor, small side decks and foredeck, and a small gaff sloop rig. Various pieces of the hull structure have had to be repaired and replaced over time so that it could remain in use. It does however retain one of the significant identifying features which are the deeper strakes along the middle of the craft where it would ride against a vessel's hull as it came alongside to transfer the pilot. This was created with an additional sacrificial edging piece at each strake, easily replaced when required. All of these edging pieces have been renewed so the hull retains its correct appearance.

In 2009 LOUISE was used recreationally on Port Phillip, Victoria. As of 2021 LOUISE has been restored as close as possible to its original condition, and is solely powered by oar and sail. The vessel is on loan to the Queenscilffe Maritime museum in Victoria to be placed on display.
SignificanceLOUISE is a wooden ship-based pilot's tender typical of the type used on Port Phillip in Victoria from early to mid-1900s. Although its age and builder are unknown, the tender's hull structure features original clinker construction and includes some documented repairs. The original open boat layout has been modified with the addition of some decking, a sailing rig and an engine.