Historical information
The Shandon was a 1387 ton iron sailing ship, of length 245.9 feet, beam 37.8 feet and draught of 21.3 feet. She was built in 1883 at Port Glasgow and had a chequered career as a trader for nearly 40 years. She was converted to a lighter until the end of WWI then re-rigged as a barque and spent the next four years trading across the Pacific Ocean. In 1922 she was in use as a coal hulk in Adelaide. During WWII she was a coal hulk in Townsville.
Shandon had one moment of glory in 1934 when she was involved in Victoria's 100th anniversary celebrations. The Shandon will eventually open as a public display, after restoration.
c1912 Barque rigged
1924 Laid up and used as a coal hulk again.
1946 While under tow, got ashore in a cyclone
1935 Re-rigged for Centenary Maritime Exhibition at Melbourne then reverted to coal hulk.
Physical description
Original deckhouse from sailing vessel Shandon. Deckhouse would have been used as crew's quarters including galley, eating and sleeping space as well as room for storage. 4 portholes and 2 doors with separate galley compartment with own split door.
Subjects
References
- Side view of Shandon showing deckhouse
- Deckhouse on Drogher "Murwillumbah" as an example of deckhouse usage. Deck houses were prefabricated structures used in the main as crew accommodation. They came into vogue about 1870 and were at first used aboard sailing ships. They were assembled ashore and lifted into position onto the decks of vessels where they were bolted to the ship deck and further made rigid by having wire stays and turnbuckles attached. On sailing ships they housed the starboard and port watchkeepers with as many as a dozen sailors billeting inside. Deck houses also contained mess tables (for eating at), with stools and lockers for seamen's belongings.
