Spring Bay Maritime & Discovery Centre
Sunday 27th March Open Day, Triabunna
Spring Bay Maritime & Discovery Centre will unveil a new exhibit of convict built wooden boat remains at 11.00am Sunday March 27th at their premises, 17 The Esplanade adjacent to Spencer’s slip in Triabunna.
MLC Tanya Rattray will officiate at the revealing of the Centre’s latest exhibit which is on long term loan from Parks & Wildlife Services Tasmania, and has been prepared with grants & donations from the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Foundation of Regional & Rural Renewal, Parks & Wildlife Services and Triabunna I.G.A. supermarket.
The new 7 metre long exhibit features vessel remains recovered from the Darlington area of Maria Island after a major flooding incident in late November 2009 revealed these and other interesting relics from the past.
Consisting of frames and planking featuring hand made wooden nails for fastenings and pitch for sealing – the remains are the subject of great conjecture concerned with their origin.
Several theories abound, among them – the remains of Maria Island Commandant Major Lord’s personal whale boat, to perhaps a barge for ship to shore services, built during the construction of the Darlington penal settlement before 1840. Whatever the truth, the craft does not appear to have been built for extended off shore service, being crudely constructed.
Representatives of many interested organisations connected with Tasmanian heritage will be on hand to witness the unveiling, including UTAS, TMAG, TSIC, Parks and Wildlife, The Wooden Boat Guild, The Australian National Maritime Museum, Glamorgan/ Spring Bay Council, the Tasmanian Government and local sponsors and friends of the SBM&DC.
The unveiling is just one exhibit from the growing SBM&DC collection which will be open from 10.00am, concludes at 4.00pm and includes working displays of vintage farm machinery from the Maria Coast region, cake stalls, BBQ lunch and entertainment for children.
Entry $5 adults $2 children.
Jim Playsted
