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 for years, 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

Western Wharf of three fishing boats and a catamaran L to R Georgianna Jimmy Peters scallops then became Rebecca sold to present owners, Perelandra Synergy, Christine Clair Graeme Cottee, Bass Trek Rig tendor Dean Jacobi Lakes Entrance VictoriaColour photograph taken at Western Wharf of three fishing boats and a catamaran L to R Georgianna Jimmy Peters scallops then became Rebecca sold to present owners, Perelandra Synergy, Christine Clair Graeme Cottee, Bass Trek Rig tendor Dean Jacobi Lakes Entrance Victoriafishing industry

Built 1900c, cottage was made available for widow and children of Dougal Egan, lost when fishing boat Orme disappeared in 1909. After Mrs Egan married George South, cottage became known as the South House. Later resident Mrs Edith Rawlinson. Cottage restumped, refurbished 2011 / 2012.|Also Two colour photographs various viewsColour photograph of a timber cottage at 26 Church Street, with both hipped and gable iron roof. Triple sided bay window. Sash windows on west side, with window hoods. Western wall is on boundary of allotment. Lakes Entrance Victoriahouses, heritage study

Second colour copy as 01601-1 portrait size 15 x 10Colour photograph of the entrance from Bass Strait to the Gippsland Lakes. It shows buildings on Bullock Island including Peck's factory. Western end of Bullock Island and area below Jemmys Point, both made during dredging operations over many years. Two fishing boats in entrance. Lakes Entrance Victoria room display, waterways, topography

Skipper John Britton, Scott Hobson?, thought to be in mud in Tamar River, Tasm 2011Colour photograph of fishing boat Cowrie Bay which appears to be just outside Cunninghame Arm, the western side of the entrance and hummocks in background. Lakes Entrance Victoriafishing industry, ships and shipping, waterways

Also black and white enlargement 11.5 x 16Black and white small format photograph of fishermen at the fish pens in lake at Western Side of entrance. Four men in rowing boat loaded with fish, one man on fence, another holding rope to steady boat. Fishermen's cottages in background. Lakes Entrance Victoriafishing industry, boats and boating, waterways, occupation, fish

Colour photograph of the entrance from Bass Strait to the Gippsland Lakes. It shows the western end of Bullock Island and the entrance to North Arm, cars parked on island and many people fishing. This area built up during dredging operations over many years. Lakes Entrance Victoria topography, fishing industry, boats and boating

Sand dumping has commenced in preparation of works to modify and deepen Cunninghame Arm|Also one other copyColour postcard of the view of Cunninghame Arm, Lakes Entrance, from the Glenara Tower. Shows the western boat harbour with private cruisers and professional fishing vessels moored at wharf. Lakes Entrance Victoriawaterways, boats and boating, jetties, waterfront

Black and white photograph of the fishing boat Minotaur beached at Western pier, Lakes Entrance Victoriaboats and boating, fishing industry, shipwrecks

This is the before photograph used in the 150 year Lakes Entrance 1858-2008 display held in 2008.Black and white photograph of the western Boat Harbour, showing four fishing boats moored beside the jetties, also another vessel in foreground. There is a roofed shelter on each wing of the harbour. Lakes Entrance VictoriaThe Boat Harbour Lakes Entrancejetties, waterfront, boats and boating, room display

Two other copies same sizeBlack and white small format postcard of the western Boat Harbour, showing vessels including two fishing boats moored at jetties. Roofed shelters on each wing of the quay. Lakes Entrance VictoriaThe Quay Lakes Entrancejetties, boats and boating, waterfront

Colour postcard of the sunset, showing the light from the setting sun reflected across the lake, the western Boat Harbour with two fishing boats and some smaller boats moored at the jetties. Lakes Entrance VictoriaOn Back,The Romance of Sunset at Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Australiajetties, boats and boating, waterfront

Date April 1985Color photograph of an arm of the boat harbour and the Western Wharf, known coloquially as the Post Office Jetty. It shows fishing boats private vessels and the tourist launch Lenna Bird moored at the jetties. In the foreground the recently dumped dredged sand has been compacted behind a retaining wall to form a new pathway beside the lake. Lakes Entrance Victoriaroads and streets, waterfront, boats and boating

Black and white photograph of the entrance. It shows two fishing boats moored in North Arm, western end of Bullock Island with Fishermens Co-op building, and area below Jemmys Point, both formed during dredging operations over many years. Lakes Entrance Victoria waterfront, islands

part of the township taken from shore of sand hummocks looking across Cunninghame Arm Lakes Entrance Victoria. Also two black and white photographs of Western part of township taken from sand hummocks across Cunninghame Arm 04315.1 and 04315.2 15 x 11 cm and 11 x 15 cmBlack and white photograph of part of the township taken from shore of sand hummocks looking across Cunninghame Arm Lakes Entrance Victoria. Also two black and white photographs of Western part of township taken from sand hummocks across Cunninghame Arm cm and 11 x 15 cmboats and boating, fishing boats, houses, township

Photograph taken from Jemmys PointColour photograph showing discoloured flood water backed up by the incoming tide with fishing boat Crianda shown approaching the Western Pier at the entrance Lakes Entrance Victoriafloods, accommodation

Cray fishing boat Helvetia in left hand side of photo purchased by Reg Northrope from Geraldton WA late 1992Colour photograph of a section of the Western boat harbour Lakes Entrance Victoriaboats and boating, fishing industry