NELCEBEE

Ronald Parsons' book "Ketches of South Australia" describes "Nelcebee" as a 144 gross ton ketch, put together by T Cruickshank in Port Adelaide from imported sections. Vessel was used as a tug/powered lighter at Port Pirie and then converted to auxilliary motor lugger in july 1927. Owners: 1927 - E Hopkins, 1940 - J Cosh & partners, later I Simms,1983 - laid up pending sale. Currently owned by the South Australian Maritime Museum and is berthed at number 8 shed, Port Adelaide. Nelcebee had many accidents. 1934 - Nelcebee and 'Gerard', a schooner, had a collision in Spencer's gulf. Nelcebee was left with a gaping hole in her side and after jettisoning 250 of the bags of wheat she was carrying, she made fullspeed for Wardang and was beached at 1am on June 21 1951. All crew were safe. In 1965 the master and crew abandoned the ship when they feared it was foundering in St Vincent Gulf, it was later towed to Port Adelaide, pumped out and put back into service. Dimensions - length 107'0", breadth 18'8", draught 9'2" For more details see book mentioned above.