Description

Geranium: Portrait of David Glasson with built-to-scale Navy survey motor boat

Built in 1950, the 34-foot survey motor boat ‘Geranium’ alternated between HMA Ships Barcoo and Warrego. Disposed by the Australian Navy in the 1970’s, the now modified ‘Geranium’ came up for sale in 2016 and was re-purchased by the Navy, who ultimately disposed of the vessel in 2022.

Today, ‘Geranium’ sails with the Sydney Heritage Fleet under the guardianship of Michael Bartley Specialist Shipwrights of Balmain, NSW.

David Glasson’s magnificently hand-crafted 34-inch radio-controlled replica was initially constructed to show the Navy how the much-modified ‘Geranium’ should look and to demonstrate outcomes of project redesign and build. Providing the first report of the vessel, which had been turned into a motor cruiser, David was also responsible for driving, pumping, maintenance, and overseeing all work on the full-sized boat, which included the design of the rooftop and new interior wall, seating arrangement, and forward compartment redesign, with assistance from the former Cameron’s Marina Team.