Painting donated by Mr P Boyle, grandson of former pilot Harry Trueman who served on the PV Alvina. The Sydney Morning Herald 29 July 1903 THE NEW MELBOURNE PILOT STEAMER. ALVINA The new pilot steamer Alvina, which was recently purchased by the Port Phillip Sea pilots, was inspected on Thursday last by the members of the Victorian Marine Board and a number of gentlemen representing the leading shipping companies in Melbourne. The Alvina was formally the private yacht of Mr Marmaduke Fox a wealthy Yorkshire gentleman and is a trim craft of 145 tons register and a length of 18ft overall. Hitherto the sea pilots have managed to do their work with one steamer, the Victoria but it has long been apparent that a second vessel was required. The pilots upon whom the obligation of providing and maintaining their vessels devolves, thereupon made a successful bid for the yacht and, by an additional outlay of 700 pound, had her overhauled and refitted in Deane's Dock, Williamstown. On Thursday last the vessel made a trial trip to Point Cook for the purpose of satisfying the Marine Board and the underwriters as to her fitness for the work. She showed a speed of 11 knots and steamed smoothly and satisfactorily. During the trip the visitors assembled in the saloon and drank success to the new steamer. Captain Carrie, president of the Marine Board, congratulated the pilots on their acquisition, and said that the service was now second to none in the world. The new vessel which has been in the charge of Captain Wills is handsomely fitted up and contains two staterooms and four cabins for the pilots and sleeping accommodation for a crew of eight. In future one steamer will remain on the pilot grounds inside the Heads while the other will steam about outside Queenscliff. A framed and mounted water colour painting of the Pilot Vessel Alvina under glasspainting, alvina, pilot vessel