Images(4)

Hebe

Vessel numberHV000614

(not assigned)BU374

Sail NumberPR2

Sail NumberR114

Builder Fred Carnaby

Date1921

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 6.6 m x 6.6 m x 2.6 m x 1 m, 1.7 tonnes (21.65 ft x 21.65 ft x 8.53 ft x 3.28 ft, 1.67 tons)

DescriptionHEBE is carvel planked, with a vertical stem and stern profile. The 6.6m long craft was built by Fred Carnaby in Nedlands on the Swan River in WA, where he and later his son had a boatshed. As well as building boats he operated a fleet of hire and charter craft, a trade some of the other builders managed as well to gain further income.

HEBE was a Star class, and had the sail number ‘H’ inside a star insignia on its mainsail. It has a sloop rig with a gunter mainsail. It was fitted with side decks and a foredeck leaving a large open cockpit. This was a simple and easy to handle craft and well suited to the Swan River.

As a hire craft it opened up sailing experiences for many people who would not be able to afford a vessel. It was later sold to Albany where under private ownership it still introduced new people to the sport of sailing.

In 2013 HEBE remains sailing with the same sloop, gunter rig it used when it was part of the Carnaby Star class hire fleet.

SignificanceHEBE is a yacht built in Western Australia in 1921 by Perth boat builder Fred Carnaby. It is one of the few remaining examples of his Star Class hire vessels, and these craft introduced many people to sailing on the Swan River. It is an important reminder of the period between the two world wars when recreational yachting was often only available to many people by hire or renting a craft for a few hours on weekends or during holidays.