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SILVER ARROW in 2016
Silver Arrow
SILVER ARROW in 2016
SILVER ARROW in 2016
Private Collection

Silver Arrow

Vessel numberHV000716
registration numberBR050Q
Date1936
DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 15.24 m × 15.24 m × 4.42 m × 1.17 m (50 ft × 50 ft × 14.5 ft × 3.85 ft)
DescriptionSILVER ARROW was yard number 151 and built to the designs of Harold Halvorsen at their Neutral Bay yard. It was one of their 50 foot launches with a raised midships wheelhouse and saloon, and the cabin top over the aft accommodation was used for stowing a dinghy on davits. As launched it was powered by twin Morris Commodore marine engines, 36hp each. It could reach 10 knots comfortably. The craft was launched on the 31st of October 1936, and was featured in the November edition of the International Power Boat and Aquatic Monthly. Their report noted that Mrs Frank Paul handled the christening, and gave a detailed description of it layout. The forward cabin had berths and a toilet, with a galley aft using the whole width of the boat. It had a refrigerator, stove, sink and storage spaces. The saloon, aft of the helm station had a settee berth, sideboard and cupboards and folding table. Aft was the head and another cabin and berths. It was described as having “a considerable degree of luxury”. The fact that it was finished with Berger’s ‘Synthelac’ enamel was also a feature in the report and supported by an advertisement for the same product on that page.

James Paul had two other craft built at the same time, yard number 158 was 10 ft dinghy and yard number 159 was a 15 foot long motor tender. Both were completed in November 1936 and would have been used in conjunction with the larger cruiser.

SILVER ARROW was one of a number of Halvorsen cruisers taken over by the government for the war effort. It is understood SILVER ARROW was requisitioned in 1942. In April 1943 records show it was transferred to Rockhampton and placed under US 41st Division. It later went to New Guinea and was understood to have towed barges as one of its duties.

After the war it reverted back to its recreational use as a private motor launch, and was renamed JOYOUS at one point. It has since reverted to its original name and has been overhauled and restored. During this period a flying bridge helm position was added over the wheelhouse, an addition seen on other Halvorsen cruisers.

SignificanceSILVER ARROW is a motor cruiser built in Sydney in 1936. It was built by Lars Halvorsen Sons in their yard at Neutral Bay for Frank Paul and was a sister ship to SILVER CLOUD (II) owned by J.A.S. Bruce. SILVER ARROW has particular significance as one of the modest number of luxury Halvorsen craft requisitioned for war service in World War II. It later served in New Guinea before being returned to Sydney and resuming its recreational role. It is an excellent early example of Harold Halvorsen’s designs for the company,
KWEENA at Batemans Bay NSW 2012
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1933
ATLANTA  in one of the many bays that from Cowan Creek in NSW.
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1963
SILVER CLOUD at the ANMM in March 2010
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1939
KRAIT restored for the 75th Anniversary event on 26th September 2018 at the ANMM wharves.
c 1934
SILVER CLOUD II cruising along at moderate speed, note the expanse of foredeck.
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1968
Enterprise
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1957
SEA SCOUT on the Great Barrier Reef in 2004, acting as a research and dive vessel.
Walter Reeks
1923
AVONITA in 2007
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1934
POLLYANNA about to be relaunched after its rebuiding in 2008
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1946
NYNGAN setting off the day on Broken Bay NSW in 2006.
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1953
LYNDALL II's elegant profile has the plumb stem and more upright styling seen on Halvorsen desi…
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1934