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Streeter

Vessel numberHV000844

DescriptionStreeter was built in 1960 in Broome for use as a pearling lugger. It was designed by Alf Morgan, built by Arthur Male and named after Edwin Williams Streeter, considered by many the ‘father’ of Broome’s pearling industry. Streeter II was part of the famous Streeter & Male Pearl Fleet. In 1978 Streeter was relocated to Darwin to fish for barramundi and mackerel and since 2006 has operated as a tourist vessel offering cruises on Darwin Harbour.

Streeter is 55ft overall in length and 14 ft 7 inches across its beam. Its hull was built to standard Broome lugger form following World War Two, likely using moulds shared amongst a number of craft. It is carvel planked with a heavy sheer strake and has the classic shallow, moderate deadrise hull shape used to suit drying-out on the low tides at Broome. It has an overhanging counter stern and spoon bow, the hull originally constructed of jarrah, and since replaced partially with spotted gum. A 6 cylinder 1974 Gardener diesel engine is fitted.

Streeter was the last vessel built by Alf Morgan’s yard. It’s early history is unknown and it is possible that Streeter was initially completed for use as a private yacht of the builder Arthur Male. In 1964 Streeter began pearling however under another unconfirmed pearling company. In 1967 Streeter was registered under Streeter and Male and it operated under this fleet until 1971 out of Broome. In 1973 Streeter was sold to Peter Bell, a farmer, and it came south to Fremantle. Streeter then went through various hands in the next few years with a new Gardener engine installed in 1974, before going up to Darwin in 1978.

Between 1997 and 2002 Streeter underwent a large rebuild with a large deckhouse constructed and a reduced rig. In 2002 Streeter operated on Sydney Harbour and participated in the Classic Wooden Boat Festival. As of 2023 everything from the upper planking strake upwards is new. The total sail area of the vessel is 1000 square feet.

George Streeter and Arthur Male were pastoralists, pearl shell and fishing business men operating out of Broome, Western Australia under the title Streeter & Male. Streeter was an agent for his father, EW Streeter, a London based jeweler and gem merchant. George Streeter returned to London in 1898 leaving Arthur Male to manage the company’s interests. Streeter and Male Ltd owned cattle properties including Dampier Downs and Roebuck Plains near Broome.

Streeter and Male’s pearling vessels started operating on the west coast of Australia in 1884. Along with McDaniel and Son and Robinson and Norman they were one of the largest pearling businesses in the north west, and one of the longest in operation too, continuing for century. They also managed vessel construction, hiring shipwrights and labor to build luggers. Other vessels on the ARHV built or owned by Streeter and Male include Kim (HV000312), Trixen (HV000391) Intombi (HV000405), D.McD (HV000610), ANCEL (HV000631), Sam Male (HV000657), and Centurion II (HV000691). Arthur Male represented the Kimberley district in the Legislative Assembly from 1905-1917, and was honorary consul to Japan from 1928. He died in 1946, with his son AS Sam Male taking over his business concerns.

Completed with the assistance of the Register of Australian and New Zealand and Maritime Heritage Department Western Australian Museum

SignificanceStreeter is a significant Broome class pearling lugger built in 1960. It was designed by Alf Morgan and was part of the famous Streeter & Male Pearl Fleet, one of the larging pearling businesses in the North West of Australia and one of the longest in operation. From 1964 to 1971 Streeter was engaged in the pearling industry and in 1978 it was relocated to Darwin to fish for mackerel and barramundi. Since 2006 Streeter has operated as a tourist vessel offering cruises on Darwin Harbour. Whilst it features a non-period deckhouse and has had considerable restoration works done to its deck and superstructure, it stands as a significant example of a late period Broome lugger.