Even Just to Salvage its Pine…
In June last year our weekly newsletter featured the image and text below. The goats and the boat made for an interesting juxtaposition; rural life, the continuous cycle of decay and renewal. After hitting send, I didn’t give it another thought.
Then this week we received this delightful email from Georgia Siltman.
Hi there,
I had some friendly passersby the other day taking a picture of the wooden boat in our paddock and they let me know it has featured in your newsletter.
The boat was here, and in this sorry state, when we purchased the property. I understand the previous owner had intended to restore it but never got around to it
I’ve had several people stop by over the years and suggest that its planks are likely King Billy pine. Such a sad waste if it’s true.
I know nothing about restoring wooden boats so I’m not a good steward, though it does make an interesting paddock ornament.
If any of your readers were interested in giving it a new life - even just to salvage its pine - I’m not particularly interested in money for it, but I would trade it for a much smaller, rather less majestic boat that actually floats. One I could take the kids fishing in, or bonus points if I could sail it.
Kind regards
Georgia Siltman
The boat will most likely never be saved and it’s unlikely the King Billy Pine has much use anymore. . But a little connection has been made, a question answered, and perhaps a couple of young Tasmanians might get out on Gardners Bay one day and hoist a sail.
If you are interested in finding out more about the boat GET IN TOUCH with SWS and we’ll connect you with Georgia.
And if you are not on our weekly FREE email list then sign up by clicking HERE
Gardners Bay Cygnet- Image Mark Chew