Montagu Whaler specifications
Name of boat: Not yet known Owner of boat: Living Boat Trust Inc Franklin Designer: Rear Admiral Victor Alexander Montagu Builder: RAN Dockyard Year built: 1953 Place built: Brisbane Home port: TAS Hull type: Monohull LOA – Feet: 27 LOA – Inches: LOD – Feet: 27 LOD – Inches: LWL – Feet: 26 LWL – Inches: 0 Beam – Feet: Beam – Inches: Draught – Feet: Draught – Inches: 5 Freeboard – Feet: Freeboard – Inches: Vessel type: Sailing Dinghy or Skiff Style – Dinghies: Other – please describe below Other – style: Navy whaleboat Construction: Timber clinker Timbers used – frames: kauri Timber used – hull: kauri Timber used – deck: n/a Rig – dinghy: Other – please describe below Other – rig: Ketch rig with dipping lug main sail Boat sign other info: “Montagu Whalers” were part of the standard equipment of all larger Royal Navy, and Royal Australian Navy vessels from the 1890s to the 1960s. Special boat information: (RAID ENTRY) This may be the last Australian-built Montagu Whaler still afloat. The Montagu Whalers were a multi-purpose ship’s boat, able to be rowed or sailed, for utility or rescue purposes. After decommissioning of the host vessel they often found their way to Naval Cadet units. This example had been with T.S.S Mersey before being restored by the Wooden Boat Centre in Franklin and then transferred to the Living Boat Trust, Franklin where it is used as an expedition and training vessel. The Wooden Boat Centre, Franklin partnered with Colony 47 and Huonville High School to undertake the restoration which provided a training environment for a diverse group of women, men and high school students. Cody Horgan, a very experienced shipwright from the Australian National Maritime Museum guided the restoration. |