MV Perth

MV Perth is the oldest wooden boat in Western Australia. Owned by Mike Beanland she is being completely renovated as a community project by Perth Boat School. The vessel was designed and built in the early 1900s by A.E. Brown and launched in 1914.

History

1914 - Originally a steamship, S.S. Perth was launched and operated a ferry service between Barrack Street and Mends Street.
Double ender, with twin steering stations, twin props, so it didn't need to turn, the driver just walked to the other end as both ends are identical.
Originally powered by two coal fired burners operating at 120psi built by McKie and Baxter of Glasgow.
1950 - With the road across the narrows becoming preferred transport across the river, the ferry became an excursion boat.
1970 - The steam engine was removed and went into the Maritime Museum, replaced by a Kelvin t^ diesel, also from Glasgow.
1982 - Taken out of service.
1986 - Refurbished to be used for river transport during the Americas Cup defence.
1998 - Rebuilt by Ozco at Swan Dock, Fremantle. Hull was Dynel sheathed (fibreglassed) and the superstructure was also glassed. The vessel was used as a party boat.
White pickets were added to the outside decks to make it look like the American paddle vessels.
At some stage it became known as the Riverboat Gambler, as it ran gambling nights on the Swan River.
2007 - Purchased by the WA Steamship Company and returned to sit on a mooring, then moved to sit in a pen at Jervoise Bay, Henderson.
2009 - Purchased by the current owners, Perth Boat School. Leaks repaired, water pump repaired, fuel pump on Lister replaced, electrics repaired, entire fore and stern decks completely stripped, filled, overhauled and revarnished. Community Restoration Project, sponsored by many companies and voluntary organisations.
2010 - Renovations severely restricted when (without any consultation) Landcorp blocked all vehicular access to the vessel by putting huge boulders in the road a few hundred metres from the vessel. Landcorp allowed pedestrian access thus allowing vandals and thieves access to the vessel, also gave fishermen access to it so they could walk to it, get on it and damage it, however prevented tradesmen, repair personnel, security patrols or police etc. from getting easy access to it so that the renovations and preservation work could continue. Vessel had windows smashed, was broken into and had tools and repair gear stolen, pressure pump etc., all stolen.
2011 - WA Government Department of Transport charges in excess of $4000 per year for the pen - the only one in Jervoise Bay, believed to have been once owned by Alan Bond during the Americas Cup defense. The restorers are seeking a location to put her, and a useful employment for her, in fitting with the heritage and usefulness of the vessel.
2013 - 3D laser scan was done of the vessel by kind donation of Vekta, a large company that does GIS and 3D surveys etc. It will now all be put together in a website at www.mvperth.com.au (which is under construction).

Specifications

Length Overall (LOA) - 103 feet
Beam: 6.1m
Hull Material: Oregon / Jarrah
Superstructure: Nyatoh
Gross Tonnage: 320t
Engines: 1 x 180 hp Kelvin T6 Diesel
Propulsion: Twin Screw, one in each direction
Max Speed: 6 knots (11 km/h)
Generators: 1 x 50kva 3 phase Lister
Registration No: DW575
HIN No: AU-TWA044157BO8
Fuel Capacity: 500 gallons diesel

References

"MTT Quarterly", 1977.
The West Australian, 2 January 1979.
"Wheels, MTT Westrail", 1982.
The West Australian, 28 April 1982.