Shortcuts
Visit Libero WebOPAC . Default .
PageMenu- Main Menu-
Page content

Files

”Santa Cruz” pictured decorated for the launch at Wright’s Shipyard on the Tuncurry foreshore in 1954
This image is provided for research purposes only and must not be reproduced for other purposes without the prior permissions of Great Lakes Museum. Original images held at Great Lakes Museum An original black and white photograph of the 175-ton wooden ”Santa Cruz” pictured decorated for the launch at Wright’s Shipyard on the Tuncurry foreshore in 1954. The keel for the Santa Cruz was laid by Ern Wright in 1945. Ern died 23 January 1946. The ship was finished and launched by his son John Wright in 1954 as the last ship to be built at Wright’s Shipyard, christened by Elizabeth Wedlock.
In the foreground is the damaged wooden fishing trawler “Leisure” with broken mast, bulwarks and cabin. The “Leisure” was re-slipped after having capsized on the Forster-Tuncurry Bar in a heavy sea. The disaster cost the lives of two men including that of Vince Fitness the owner of the vessel.
Wright’s house and general store can be seen behind the twin pine trees in the background.

Name: MV Santa Cruz
Owner: F.E. Crouch
Builder: Ernest Wright & Son, Wright Sawmill and Shipyard, Tuncurry N.S.W.

Nationality: Australian
Purpose:
Type:
Subtype/class:
Propulsion:
Date built: 1954
Status:

Weight: 175 gross tonnage
Length: 126ft
Beam: 22ft
Depth: 9ft
Engine:

Career
Believed to have spent three years around the Solomon Islands until purchased by North Coast Whaling Pty Ltd. for use as a whale chaser.

Name: Norfolk Whaler
Owner: North Coast Whaling Pty Ltd, 14 November 1958

Name:
Owner: S.G. White Pty Ltd, 15 January 1964

Name: MV Arcturus
Owner: believed to have been transferred to the Papua New Guinea government to be used as a training vessel. 13 December 1965

Fate
Cause:
Date:
Casualties:
Contact Great Lakes Museum as copyright restrictions may apply. Handwritten in black pen on photo reverse: ‘ROYLAN “REEF CRUISER” / “LEISURE” TRAWLER. SHOWING BROKEN /MAST. BULWARKS & CABIN. / CAPSIZED ON BAR IN HUGE SEA / DROWNING VINCE FITNESS, THE / OWNER & ANOTHER MAN.’ Handwritten in red pen on photo reverse: SANTA CRUZ STARTED / 1946. COMPLETED 1954 / WHEN YARDS CLOSED’ PN003209


PN003209.jpg

An original black and white photograph of the 175-ton wooden ”Santa Cruz” pictured decorated for the launch at Wright’s Shipyard on the Tuncurry foreshore in 1954. The keel for the Santa Cruz was laid by Ern Wright in 1945. Ern died 23 January 1946. The ship was finished and launched by his son John Wright in 1954 as the last ship to be built at Wright’s Shipyard, christened by Elizabeth Wedlock. In the foreground is the damaged wooden fishing trawler “Leisure” with broken mast, bulwarks and cabin. The “Leisure” was re-slipped after having capsized on the Forster-Tuncurry Bar in a heavy sea. The disaster cost the lives of two men including that of Vince Fitness, the owner of the vessel.

Quick Search