Description

Former Defence Maritime Services (DMS) workboat 0379 (formerly 4011) moored at the floating dock, Spectacle Island with former DMS Driver, Robbie, on deck.

Built by Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Limited at Ryde, N.S.W. in 1966, and used as a tender for the trials of the 12 metre America’s Cup contender GRETEL before being purchased by the Royal Australian Navy.

Work Boat No. 4011 (now 0379) was also the only Halvorsen-design in the Defence Maritime Services fleet.

Nicknamed ‘Sobraon’ after the 19^th century clipper of that name which was converted to a Training Ship and later Navy vessel H.M.A.S. TINGIRA  for a period.

The background scenery in the painting features part of the old Sydney Training Depot at Snapper Island to the far left, and stretches from Balmain (just past the Elliott Street Wharf) to Rozelle, and around to Birkenhead point and Drummoyne. Just out of sight between Rozelle and Birkenhead is the Iron Cove Bridge.

NB: the boat under cover near Snapper Island is the District Naval Officers Launch 168 which joined the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 2022.

Source: The Register of Australian and New Zealand Ships and Boats: a comprehensive resource for maritime enthusiasts and historians / Administered by Mr Mori Flapan http://www.boatregister.net/WW2_ArmyWorkBoats_files/1960s_RAN_WorkBoats.html