The Lady arrives back home after 70 years away.

On this day May 3rd 1981
The last wooden vessel to be built at Huskisson the M.V Tasman Sea, towed the Lady Denman the last part of the way into Currumbene Creek to tie up to the Rotary Wharf at Huskisson. The Lady tied up almost exactly at the spot where she was launched 70 years earlier in 1911.









 

END OF AN ERA.
The M.V. Tasman Sea.
The completion of the wooden trawler the MV Tasman Sea saw the end of an era in the rich maritime history of Huskisson and Jervis Bay.
The Tasman Sea is the last wooden vessel to be built by John Settree and the Settree family.
John’s grandfather Alfred William Settree arrived in Huskisson in 1932 and built some of the of the largest wooden ships.
Johns father Alfred Raymond Settree took over the business and built many items for the war.

Alfred passed on his skills to John and Trevor, John took over and started building in 1954.

The Tasman Sea was built in 1977 by John, it was later sold to John Marks from Williamstown Victoria.
The Tasman Sea was used in the local fishing industry, but the introduction of the Jervis Bay Marine Park marked the end of commercial fishing in Jervis Bay.

John with a model of the MV Tasman Sea. Ref: http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/2248254/a-seafaring-family-sets-sail/

MUSEUM DISPLAY
The museum has a fascinating display of tools, photographs, models and information from the Dent and Settee families, even the floor of the display is constructed in the same manner as the wooden vessels of the time.
It really is a fantastic place to travel back in time.

REF:
http://www.2st.com.au/news/shoalhaven-news/77626-end-of-an-era-for-legendary-shoalhaven-industry
http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/2248254/a-seafaring-family-sets-sail/