Images(2)

Viking

Vessel numberHV000560

Builder Higgs

Previous owner Geelong Sea Scouts

Datec 1920

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 9.75 m x 9.14 m x 3.35 m x 0.76 m, 8 tonnes (32 ft x 30 ft x 11 ft x 2.5 ft, 7.87 tons)

DescriptionVIKING is understood to have been built in the 1920s by the Higgs Boatyard at Geelong for fishing on Port Phillip. It is carvel planked, and has a canoe stern hull with shallow draft that was a feature of the Port Phillip net boats. They operated in the shoal areas of the bay and the canoe stern removed the transom corner that would otherwise make it difficult to haul the nets aboard, which was all done by hand.

VIKING was one of six boats built as a fleet for fishing and all had names beginning with ‘V’. It has a similar hull form and proportions to the well-known Port Phillip net boat VOLUNTEER (restored in the 1980s) . However VOLUNTEER was built with a stern hung rudder and was probably launched as a sailing vessel only, whereas VIKING has a rudder and aperture under the counter, and was possibly an early example of a craft built to accommodate a small engine.

VIKING has had a long association with Geelong and Port Phillip. It was used for fishing until World War II when it was requisitioned and used as a tender at the port facilities. After the war one of the vessel's tasks was to help recover lost anchors around Port Phillip Bay and it was sunk doing this work, and then subsequently re-floated. During a later period VIKING went back to Geelong and was used by Geelong Sea Scouts.

George Day (from the Chandler Shop in Queenscliff) refitted the boat 1999 including the cabin and decks. The current owner bought VIKING in 2007 and has since replaced the drive train with a Cummins Diesel and Borg Warner gearbox (2010), removing an earlier Parsons diesel.

In 2013 VIKING is in good condition and used as a recreational motor launch out of Geelong.

SignificanceVIKING was built in Victoria during the 1920s for net fishing out of Geelong on Port Phillip. It was one of six in its fleet, and is one of the few Port Phillip net boats to remain extant. Although now a motor cruiser, it still shows the distinct canoe stern and shallow draft that was a feature of these vessels. It has always remained operating on Port Phillip.