THE search is on for an historic Antarctic workboat that was last seen in the Hunter Region.
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Antarctic veteran David Dodd, who is secretary of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions Club, said the workboat was built as the Macpherson Robertson, and was used in the Antarctic from 1956 to 1978, when she was sold and renamed Porpoise.
Antarctic veteran David Dodd, who is secretary of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions Club, said the workboat was built as the Macpherson Robertson, and was used in the Antarctic from 1956 to 1978, when she was sold and renamed Porpoise.
Mr Dodd said the “25-foot” (7.6-metre) Porpoise was based in Moreton Bay, Brisbane, until 2006, when she was sold to “a Newcastle boat-builder”. From there, the trail goes cold.
“Macpherson Robertson was a famous Australian confectioner whose company, MacRobertsons, produced the original Cherry Ripes and Freddo Frogs,” Mr Dodd said.
“He was a great philanthropist who was knighted in 1932 for his work supporting Australia’s Antarctic missions. The boat named after him was loaded each year as a ship’s tender on board the famous “Dan” Danish ice-breakers, including the Nella Dan.”
“The ANARE Club is interested in finding this historically important vessel, which was affectionately known as Lollypop by those who sailed her in many important Antarctic coastal surveys.
“We know she was here in your area just 10 years ago.”
Anyone with information can contact Mr Dodd at secretary@anareclub.org.au
