Tambar - the story of a Grangemouth ship in Colonial Australia

Tambar - the story of a Grangemouth ship in Colonial Australia

Thursday May 4 saw local historian Craig Mair entertain the Bridge of Allan and Dunblane Rotary Club with a superb illustrated talk on the life of the steam ship Tambar.

Craig explained how, as a boy in Grangemouth, he would climb the fence into the shipyards to ‘help’ the ship builders. When his father, a local doctor, was given a builder’s model of the steam ship Tambar he felt that his only option was to give it to son Craig.  Craig was delighted with the model; it followed him everywhere through college and into family life, until one day his wife asked him what the ship had done in its working life and Craig was unable to give any details.

So, Craig set out to find answers to this question. His initial research revealed that the ship was built in Grangemouth for North Coast SN Co Ltd., an Australian company based in Sydney. Launched in 1912, its intended role was to serve as a flat-bottomed river boat carrying passengers and cargo.

Subsequently, Craig’s’ ship then worked for an Australian North Coast shipping line moving supplies to and from Belingen on the New South Wales coast.  She was then acquired by the Tasmanian government to improve trade with the mainland.  In 1929, she was sold to William Honeyman and Sons plying the same routes as well as including the Lakes Entrance area.

In September 1939, at the onset of the Second World War, Tambar became one of the first vessels to be requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy, being fitted out as an auxiliary minesweeper.  She was unfortunate in being involved in a “friendly fire” incident when a shell fired from the mainland passed through the Tambar killing members of the crew.

After the war she became a salvage vessel and was finally taken out of service in 1952.

The full story of the Tambar can be found in Craig’s book: A Lucky Ship : The Nine Lives of the Australian Coaster Tambar 1912-1960 

Les Ferguson, Speaker’s Host, proposed the vote of thanks.  He reflected on Craig’s excellent talk and story-telling skills, suggesting that he, Les, might well have enjoyed his history lessons, and remembered something more than just a few dates, if his history teacher had had Craig’s skill.

There will be a meeting on Thursday 11th May in the Westlands Hotel, Doune Road, at 6.00 for 6-30pm. The speaker will be George Sommerville of Stirling Council. The topic will be Waste Recycling in the Stirling Area.   Visitors are always very welcome to meetings.  Anyone interested in attending should contact the Club Secretary, Iain Fraser at secretary@dunblanerotary.org.  Tel: 01786 822751.  More information can be found on the Club website: www.dunblanerotary.org.uk or the Facebook site: www.facebook.com/dunblanerotary.