Marinas: Why Tasmania ?
August 6, 2015General Manager’s Log – August 2015
August 17, 2015
Tasmania’s Timber Heritage
Tasmania is indeed blessed with a unique set of fine timbers: Huon Pine, Celery Top and King Billy Pine have all become highly prized for furniture and boat building.
It follows that the island state has a rich heritage of building boats, the beginnings of which may go back thousands of years. Local aboriginal fishermen built boats in which they travelled to Bruny and other islands. Some examples can be seen in Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and the Spring Bay Maritime & Discovery Centre at Triabunna.
On their arrival in the early 1800s one of the first priorities for ships’ captains would have been to carry out repairs to the vessels after a long journey. The stories of Tasman, du Fresne, Baudin, Flinders and others all mention the need for repairs. Stands of fine timber nearby deep and safe anchorages would have been obvious and a ship repair industry was soon started. The boat building industry for which Tasmania is well respected was under way!
In addition to the local timbers and marine heritage Tasmania is fortunate to still have a vibrant craft industry which maintains these wonderful traditions.
We will be looking at some of the people in this industry – boats, marine interiors and fine furniture – as well as those who teach others how to build boats.
Although AWBF does not make recommendations about products or services, readers are able to see more details about industry participants including festival exhibitors on MarineDirectory.net (read more)
