The historic Victorian ‘couta boat “Viator” was built by renowned boat builder J.R. Jones of Williamstown in Melbourne, between 1890 and 1920. He was one of the early builders of this design. The features of Viator - carvel planked, open cockpit, vertical stem and straight keel, single mast and a pivoting centreboard - are all characteristics of an early Bass Strait ‘couta boat. This has been confirmed by experienced Victorian ‘couta boat restorer Tim Phillips. Viator served as a ‘couta fishing boat in the Warrnambool area until the mid-1930s, then some say she served as a mail ferry across to Portland. Later it was used as a fishing and recreation boat for local families. For years Viator sat in a paddock in East Warrnambool until purchased in 1975 and donated to Flagstaff Hill. ‘COUTA BOATS - The ‘couta design for vessels is believed to have originated at Port Phillip, Victoria, for the purpose of the Barracouta (‘couta) fishing industry, being both fast and seaworthy. , The 'couta fish was an important food fish in Australian waters, supplying Melbourne with plenty of inexpensive fish. VIATORY’S OWNERS - Some of Viator’s history is known: - 1940, registered Port Fairy and owned by G.J. Richards. - 1941-1945, registered in Port Fairy and owned by Jens “Peter” Petersen. - 1950’s “Brusher” Richards of Warrnambool and Port Fairy used it for fishing. - Peter Watson and his son also went fishing in Viator. - Frank Ferrier, boat builder, was an owner (son of ‘La Bella’ hero, William Ferrier) - Arthur Rogers owned Viator too, then sold it to Terry Pridmore and Wayne Moorefield - The Viator was stored in a paddock, unused, in Fairmont Avenue, Warrnambool, where it was gradually deteriorating. - 1975 Viator was purchase at a very reasonable price from Pridmore, then donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. RESTORATION - Shipwright Erik Mikkelsen soon started restoration on the Viator after it arrived at Flagstaff Hill in 1975. In 2006 the Maritime Museums of Australia awarded a grant to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village to assist with the restoration and renovation of the Viator. Its restoration continues today in the care of Flagstaff Hill’s boat builder. J R. JONES - boat builder The photograph of the EVA MYRL shows the builder J R Jones with his team of workers. The other photograph shows a vessel built by J R Jones' son, J B Jones of Footscray, and his team of boat boulders. The photograph of the EVA MYRL was taken by E. A. Dond---. The other photograph is of the Sturrock Coot, taken a Albert Park Lake in St Kilda.The Viator is the most significant boat in the Flagstaff Hill's fleet, being the last remaining local 'couta boat and one of few existing examples of this craft. Viator received Heritage status with the Australian Maritime Museums Council and is listed on the Australian Register of Historical Vessels in 2006 (ARHV Number: HV000561). Viator was built in Victoria in the early days by renowned boat builder J.R. Jones, and sailed by fishermen for many years, both local and on the coastal waters of Victoria, and was possibly used for the mail service. It is significant for being used for the fishing trade, for government service, perhaps as a mail boat, and for recreation by local families.Vessel, the ‘Viator’, an historic Victorian ‘couta boat, handmade by renowned boat builder This J.R. Jones 'couta boat, the Viator, was built in Williamstown, c.1890-1920. The single mast vessel has a Caravel hull built from New Zealand Kauri, blackwood, with a red gum keel and a jarrah stem and stern. It has a pivoting centreboard. Two photographs are included; one of the builder with his team, the other is of his son J B Jones, with his team. Marked "Viator" Photograph 1759.2: "E. A. Dond---" (indecipherable". Handwritten on back "Grandfather / J R Jones / Built" Photograph 1759.3; sign within photograph "J B JONES / BUILDER / FOOTSCRAY", stamped in the card, bottom right " ----- / MELBOURNE" and handwritten on the back "I think this is Mr Abel Sturrock Coot Albert Park Lake"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, arhv hv000561, arthur rogers, bass strait ‘couta boat, “brusher” richards of warrnambool and port fairy, clinker hull boat, ‘couta crafted boat c 1890-1905, ‘couta fishing boat, erik mikkelsen shipwright, g.j. richards of port fairy, jens “peter” petersen, john lindsay, old mail boat, pivoting centerboard boat, peter watson, single-masted ketch, terry prodmore and wayne moorefield, vessel viator, viator a historical vessel, victorian ‘couta boat, victorian barracoota boat, warrnambool ‘couta boat, western victoria fishing boat, western victoria mail boat, hv000561, australian register of historical vessels, erik mikkelsen, j b jones, j b jones boat builder, footscray, sturrock coot, sturrock, j r jones, j r jones boat builder, williamstown, eva myrl

Photos of the Ports & Harbour launch "Flinders' at anchor.Realism, historicalBlack & white photograph of the Ports & Harbour launch "Flinders" under way at QueenscliffeOn the reverse - "P4A51 - Couta Boats and Flinders survey launch"

Black & white photograph of Couta boats moored around ship at wharffishing vessels, moyne river

Queenscliffe fishing fleet and panoramaRealismBlack & white photograph of the landward view of moored Couta boats with Queenscliffe beyond c1926.Reverse: "signal station Q'cliffe built 1886 - photo before it was raised on brick base in 1936 - c1926?"queenscliffe, fishing fleet, signal tower

Zepher was built by Don Mitchelson in Rosebud Victoria. It was bought by G Peel and J Mitchelson to be converteed to passenger launch Sea Bird in 1952Black and white photograph of twin screw couta boat, "Zepher" Lakes Entrance Victoriaboats and boating, local history

Photos of the lifeboat crewsRealism, historicalbalck & white photograph of (L-R) Steam ship, Couta boat, ALVINA & sunken mastsOn the reverse of 1 of 2- "Frank Ferrier 34 Beach St Queenscliff Gift "pilot steamer ALVINA in background- white ship in distance c1920"

For over 45 years, Richard has used Wendy regularly for recreational fishing and occasional sailing out of Queenscliff. He has the original cotton canvas sails that were fitted on the boat when she was built, and which still are in working condition. Richard says that one of his favourite pastimes has been trolling for pike around Swan Island, close by Queenscliff, ensuring that the heritage of this Lacco-built boat fishing boat is preserved. In about 2015, Wendy underwent a rebuild including: a new centre-case, ribs and deck, and a new Yanmar engine. The works were done by Bryon Miller of Peninsula Wooden Boats. Wendy remains berthed, fore and aft, at Number 12 pile in front of Queenscliff Lonsdale Yacht Club. Well known couta boat in QueenscliffeAustralian made Kopsen vortex bilge pump.Kopsen Vortexcouta boats, 'wendy", bilge pump

Couta boatssheltering Couta boat fleet membersBlack & white photograph of the moored boats under storm clouds at QueenscliffeReverse - " N/A "historical references

Lewis Ferrier was a fisherman in Queenscliffe from 1938 to 2008 using a 26 foot Couta boat called 'Rosebud'One of a series of 10 pencil drawings entitles 'The Old Salts' of prominent Queenscliffe fishermen Framed pencil drawing of prominent Queenscliff fisherman Lewis Ferrier signed by artist Dr Mike Birrell 1996. One of a series of 9 drawings entitled 'The Old Salts'dr mike birrell, lewis ferrier, 'rosebud'

Ian 'Sam' Culliver was a fisherman in Queenscliffe from 1930 to 1992 using a 26 foot Couta boat called 'Phyllis'One of a series of 10 pencil drawings entitles 'The Old Salts' of prominent Queenscliffe fishermen Framed pencil drawing of prominent Queenscliff fisherman Ian 'Sam' Culliver signed by artist Dr Mike Birrell 1996. One of a series of 10 drawings entitled 'The Old Salts'dr mike birell, ian 'sam' culliver, phyllis

Ron 'Bluey' Welch was a fisherman in Queenscliffe from 1938 to 1987 using a 24 foot Couta boat called 'Claire Sans'One of a series of 10 pencil drawings entitles 'The Old Salts' of prominent Queenscliffe fishermen Framed pencil drawing of prominent Queenscliff fisherman Ron 'Bluey' Welch signed by artist Dr Mike Birrell 1996. One of a series of 10 drawings entitled 'The Old Salts'dr mike birrell, ron 'bluey' welch, 'claire sans

Couta fishing boatsCouta fishing boat RFD399B & W photo of the registered fishing boat RFD399Reverse - " Registered Fishing Boat 399 / see Frank Ferrier for details ".historical references

Couta fishing boatsCouta fishing boat RFD399B & W photo of the sunken rescue dinghyReverse - " L to R / Frank Ferrier, Ron Shapter, Tony Jergens, Tom Warren / sunken 14 ft dinghy used in rescue of wreck of Merlan / This sat on Lonsdale pier for a considerable time (2 years?) prior to rescue. When they put it in to rescue the dinghy commenced filling and rescue were carried out while bailing. ".historical references

Photos of the Ports & Harbour launch "Flinders' at anchor prior to sinking.Realism, historical1. Envelope of Notes 2. Page 1 of 3 Notes re Photos 46 to 54. 3. Page 2 of 3 Notes re Photos 46 to 54. 4. Page 3 of 3 Notes re Photos 46 to 54. 5. Photo of sunk Flinders and Bass towing it 6. Reverse of photo showing notes.On the reverse - " P2A49 - Couta boats in background - Sunk boat - FLINDERS - P&H survey launch - 1953 - Ports & Harbours survey launch with tow rope - P&H Survey Launch BASS"

A collection of a group of photographs donated to the Society by Lun Blom, from the Photo Shop in Thompson Avenue, Cowes (was opposite the museum)A collection of 19 photographs of Phillip Island and surrounds. 293-01. Koala sitting in enamel bowl on table 293-02. 20 farmers having a break. 293-03. Reproduction of painting of The Nobbies. 293-04. Photograph of a Trophy for 1st prize for ploughing won by Mr L Morrison 1859. 293-05. Photograph of three men standing in front of a motor vehicle. 293-06. Photograph of view of Cleeland's House at Cape Woolamai. 293-07. Photograph of a whale beached on Phillip Island with people standing around it. 293-08. Photograph of a family and children in front of car - unknown. 293-09. Photograph of a painting of "Innishowen" Harbison's Property. Mr Harbison's portrait inset on the painting. 293-10. Photograph of an early map - possibly drawn by Bass & Flinders. 293-11. Photograph of the San Remo-Westernport Hotel, with vehicles in front. 293-12. Photograph of a fishing boat at the San Remo Jetty with the township in the background. 293-13. Photograph of a couta boat under full sail in Westernport. 293-14. Photograph of an aerial view of the Two Bridges taken from San Remo side. 293-15. Photograph of the Mutton Bird Eggers Camp - Bergins Bay Cape Woolamai. 293-16. Photograph of a Steam ferry decorated with flags. 293-17. Photograph of Fisherman's hut at Cowes with pier in the background. Possibly Mr Cox's. 293-18. Photograph of a couple standing on the bridge in Lover's Walk Cowes. 293-19. Photograph of an aerial view of Phillip Island looking towards Mornington Peninsula and the Heads to Port Phillip Bay in the distance.293-01. "Koala Pie" Cowes. 293-06. Mr Cleeland's Station. 293-09. "Innishowen" Mr. Harbison. 293-10. Phillip Island. 293-17. Phillip Island - Fisherman's Hut, Cowes. 293-18. Phillip Island - Lover's Walk, Cowes.wildlife - koala, wildlife - whale, the nobbies, ploughing trophy, cape woolamai - cleeland's house, innishowen, mr harbison, phillip island map, westernport hotel san remo, fishing boat san remo pier, couta boat westernport, the two bridges san remo, mutton bird eggers camp, steam ferry, fisherman's hut cowes, lover's walk cowes, aerial view of phillip island, lyn blom