Alf Settree boat shed.

Last wooden boat builder

boat-shed-and-porthole

The boat shed overlooks the fish pond at the Museum,  built by Alf Settree, Huskissons last traditionally trained wood framed boat builder. Port Hole, one of the Settree built trawlers can be seen in the forground.

The Settree family built 45 ships in various locations around the coast.

One such ship was the ill fated SS Douglas Mawson – ‘A Launching and a Shipwreck.’ This article by Dr Michael MacLellan Tracey, makes compelling reading and give’s you an insight into the difficult work involved in wooden framed ship building.

Alf’s involvement with the Lady Denman Ferry.
In his retirement, Alf had been able to devote considerable time and effort to the Lady Denman project. He had been a key person in the challenging operations that had allowed the vessel to travel from Sydney to Huskisson by sea and from Currambene Creek to its penultimate resting place.
Care of. Graham Hinton, Curator of the Lady Denman.

Below are some examples of boats built by the Settree Family.

alf setree boat porthole tss douglas mawswon trawler

Ulladulla Star.
Built 1954.

Port Hole. On display at the Museum Built 1952

TSS Douglas  Mawson Built 1914
Story.

Trawler. Built 1966.

Boat Building Display
The Museum has a unique collection of tools and photographs about the Settree family.
Be sure to take the time to drop in and have a look at the display.

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