tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270814191268812736.post1537135260627974188..comments2024-03-14T05:56:45.614+10:00Comments on The Lake District: H.M.A.S. SEA MIST & The Attack on Sydney Harbour :: Re-discovering a Piece of Aussie (and Family) History…Nicholas James Cornishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10185389487667880721noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270814191268812736.post-64484138429738018882021-07-24T09:30:07.719+10:002021-07-24T09:30:07.719+10:00Hi Nicholas,
Re the Seamist. I have a wonderful co...Hi Nicholas,<br />Re the Seamist. I have a wonderful colour photo of her moored at my family home at Seaforth Middle Harbour circa 1957. Jack Davey was my godfather and a work colleague of my father. I've recently been restoring that photo plus I have another black and white photo of Jack's 3 crew members. I'm happy to share with anyone who is interested.<br />Mark Bergin. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02651273358874710751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270814191268812736.post-10950385846655984082018-09-08T23:07:38.558+10:002018-09-08T23:07:38.558+10:00HI Nicholas et all.
Its great to read all the sto...HI Nicholas et all.<br /><br />Its great to read all the stories and to hear of peoples involvements with this loverly old vessel.<br /><br />Whenever i pull into a port someone approaches who has been involved with her in the past.<br /><br />I'm the fortunate person who discovered Sea Mist in 1982 tied up to a pier at Southport looking very tired. She was only running on one engine , the bilge was full of oil and diesel, tools were scattered all around, the engine room was so stuffed with fuel tanks it was almost impossible to change a fuel filter. She had been fitted out for day cruising out of Southport so had the biggest ugliest American fridge you have ever seen in your life dominating the aft cabin. From the outside she had all the grace and charm that makes her so endearing but inside looked like a bordello.<br /><br />She was owned by a syndicate of people who were bought together by Nicholas's uncle John Donnelly who of course is a well known legend. <br /><br />When i was on a mission at 37 yrs of age to buy a bigger boat The Yacht broker Trevor Hansen suggested I should have a look at Sea Mist. When he showed me a photo I said that there was no way I could afford such a beautiful boat. He said you might be surprised and i was.<br /><br />I bought her thinking that I could spend the rest of my working life getting her into shipshape for my retirement.<br /><br />Luckily I was very successful and was able to do just that.<br /><br />She was almost fully rebuilt By Norman Wright and Sons in 1999-2000 and I was a bit taken back when the final cost was four times the budget. Didn't the whole thing turn out well though.<br />Who gives a rats about almost being financially destroyed feeding your passion.<br /><br />Back to the blog and clarification of a few facts.<br /><br />I understand from earlier blogs that the Triggs Family had a boat called Sea Mist built by Lars Halvorsen which was commandeered during the war and served in New Guinea. it seems it was burnt to the waterline in an encounter with Japanese fighter planes.<br /><br />According to the documents which i have My Sea Mist was in fact built by Lars Halvorsen at Neutral Bay for Hope Bartlett who has been mentioned as coming into owner ship much later which is not correct.. When the government commandeered her from him the documents indicate that they payed him the grand sum of 8000 pounds. There subsequently was a lot of correspondence where he and the government were arguing about the cost of the fuel for him to deliver the boat to them from the Hawkesbury to Sydney Harbour. How about that for beauracatic small mindedness.<br /><br />After the war radio station 2ue bought her from the government for 10000 pounds for the personal use of another legend Jack Davey.<br /><br />As wel, as entertaining all those international guests on board its reported that one night Jack won 2000 pounds from Laurel and Hardy playing poker and was able to replace the original Hurules petrol engines with a pair of 671 Grey Marine diesel engines.<br /><br />These were in the boat when i bought her. I had to immediately fully rebuild one of them. They then stayed in the boat until the 2000 refit when I replaced them with shiny new Perkins Sabres. <br /><br />Those engines still spring to life at a touch to the starter button which I'm intending to do when the wind drops on Tuesday and together with friends head off for a months fishing at the Bunker Group of Islands.<br /><br />Looking forward to tight lines.<br /><br />Ray Munrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04235104376452215552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270814191268812736.post-17794703066521528142018-03-14T17:16:59.155+10:002018-03-14T17:16:59.155+10:00I WAS WATCHING MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT LAST NIGHT A...I WAS WATCHING MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT LAST NIGHT AND SAW ONE OF THE COUPLES ON A HALVORSEN 47 FT CRUISER WHICH MADE ME SEARCH FOR SEA MIST & FIND THIS ARTICLE. MY GRANDFATHER JACK SYDNEY KELLY OWNED SEA MIST IN THE EARLY 60'S TILL LATE 60'S/70'S POSSIBLLY SELLING IT TO JACK BOYCE MENTIONED ABOVE FROM ANONYMOUS SCOTT DENTON. I THINK YOU WILL FIND THAT JACK KELLY PURCHASED IT FROM JACK DAVEY. I REMEMBER IT BEING MOORED AT COAL & CANDLE CREEK NEAR COTTAGE POINT WHERE MY GRANDFATHER PRETTY MUCH LIVED ON IT FOR 8/9 YEARS DURING MY EARLY CHILDHOOD (BORN 1961). INTERESTINGLY JACK ALSO HAD A MARK 11 JAGUAR DURING THIS TIME & SO DID MY FATHER HAVE A 61 & 63 MARK 11. EVEN MORE BIZARRE I OWN A 1976 XJC JAGUAR THAT DAD BOUGHT NEW.I AM KAZ READER'S BROTHER (COMMENTED ABOVE IN 2013)!! HOPE THIS FILLS IN SOME MISSING LINKS !! KIND REGARDS DAVID IRELANDDAVID IRELANDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270814191268812736.post-84661805513423042022017-08-23T18:08:15.534+10:002017-08-23T18:08:15.534+10:00In the late70s sea mist was brought down and moore...In the late70s sea mist was brought down and moored in pittwater and used as a charter vessel doing day trips up the hawksbury,also new years cruises on sydney harbourand cruises following the start of sydney hobart.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270814191268812736.post-52102412892786830712016-02-08T20:32:52.476+10:002016-02-08T20:32:52.476+10:00Watched her under speed a few years ago,heading in...Watched her under speed a few years ago,heading into Moreton bay,fantastic looking craft.Bob Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587134073822968585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270814191268812736.post-12190878032729538552015-05-19T09:10:43.221+10:002015-05-19T09:10:43.221+10:00Hi Jarrod, Sea Mist has been a passion of mine fo...Hi Jarrod, Sea Mist has been a passion of mine for the last few years. Sea Mist is located in Brisbane, At the RQYS, in Manly.<br /><br />kind Regards,<br />Scott DentonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270814191268812736.post-2267125100872344022015-04-25T14:33:28.729+10:002015-04-25T14:33:28.729+10:00Hi there.
My self and my family are very intereste...Hi there.<br />My self and my family are very interested in the location of the sea mist. My grand father served on the sea mist during the war. Any information would be great. ThanksAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09836185480336067251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270814191268812736.post-61587747763495361332014-12-10T14:35:01.025+10:002014-12-10T14:35:01.025+10:00Scott - thank you very much for that very interest...Scott - thank you very much for that very interesting additional information - the story continues to grow! I had seen a reference to a Sydney owner during those years, so with that information on your Grandfather and his brother, her ownership background is almost complete… great to connect the dots between the Jack Davey era and when she came north - which as you are probably aware, was initially to Keppel Island - Central Queensland, where she was rigged for fishing and cruising as part of the island operations. A group called the Moffatt Group, who your grandfather obviously sold to. It was this group my uncle subsequently purchased her from, I believe… It would be great to correspond and would love to have a look at those photos, Scott, if you happen to have them scanned / readily at hand; my email is n.cornish@regentroad.com . Thank you again for your comment - it has given me the impetus to complete the rewrite...Nicholas James Cornishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10185389487667880721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270814191268812736.post-40786447367231413942014-10-02T22:35:20.633+10:002014-10-02T22:35:20.633+10:00Hi, i may be able to provide some more info regar...Hi, i may be able to provide some more info regarding Sea Mist's amazing history. She has also been a passion of mine for the past many years. My grandfather and his brother through the company "Boyce Brothers" owned Sea Mist in the 70's. The company may have been trading then under the name "Palm Island Fashion". They bought Sea Mist from Jack Davey. Sea Mist was moored in Hermit Bay (Sydney), in front of my Grandfather's brothers property - the historic "The Hermitage". There is a large boat ramp still there - however i was told Sea Mist was not slipped there. I have some great photos of Sea Mist in the early 70's I believe cruising down Middle Harbour and at anchor in Sydney. I am not sure if this story is true, but apprarently she incured structural damage heading to Pittwater one day and they ran her aground near Camp Cove to prevent sinking. The hull was then over-skinned to repair and strenghten her hull. i was told prior to the hull repair - she was one of the fastest 65 footers of her time. happy to provide as much detail as i have for your next article. Regards, Scott DentonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270814191268812736.post-1549331362981064372014-01-31T15:07:54.861+10:002014-01-31T15:07:54.861+10:00Thank you Karen - that would be great. As per abov...Thank you Karen - that would be great. As per above, I am re-writing this piece and any further information on her past owners would be useful. have a good bit now!.. but the story seems to get richer still as more info is discovered...Nicholas James Cornishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10185389487667880721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270814191268812736.post-37721392058712395432013-12-30T09:04:55.884+10:002013-12-30T09:04:55.884+10:00Not sure if I can shed any more light on this boat...Not sure if I can shed any more light on this boat but I believe my Grandfather owned SeaMist at some stage,His name was Jack Sydney Kelly.... I will do some research with dates etc Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08699493406836203260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270814191268812736.post-86724884752490422652013-10-17T12:15:32.402+10:002013-10-17T12:15:32.402+10:00Les, thank you so much for your fascinating reply ...Les, thank you so much for your fascinating reply and for supplementing my blog with that great information. I'm only sorry my response has been so pedestrian - I'm working on pulling together a new blog and have not been back to this one much... <br /><br />It's amazing how this boat has weaved its way through history and people's lives... It is a shame that Frank didn't get to see her again - especially having lived (and worked) on her in his formative years and under those circumstances... She obviously made an impact on him too and shaped his life and ultimate success... The parallels with the D-Type, Hope Bartlett and Jack Davey are equally amazing!.. It sounds like you are quite involved with Jaguar cars and racing, Les - incidentally, Halvorsen Boats and Jaguar Cars are my two favourite bits of "machinery"... For mine, both have timeless design lines, unique style presence and performance... Sounds like your of the same ilk... Would love to hear some more of your experiences in that field... <br /><br />Regarding Sea Mist, I have recently come across another article, from a Woman's Day of 1972 would you believe, featuring Sea Mist and the various parties and guests she hosted while owned by Jack Davey. Its an amazing article - Sea Mist played host to the likes of Frank Sinatra, Valentino Liberace, Shirley Bassey and countless others... Here is the link : http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/44560660/4887381?searchTerm=Jackes#pstart4887381<br /><br />Thank you again, Les. I think I will re-write some of this for a feature for publication - in which case I would like to use and credit your valuable info... CheersNicholas James Cornishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10185389487667880721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8270814191268812736.post-38234916388319292622013-03-18T17:01:12.051+10:002013-03-18T17:01:12.051+10:00What a fascinating piece of history.
I think I ca...What a fascinating piece of history.<br /><br />I think I can add more to it also.<br /><br />The great Australian international racing driver and engineer Frank Gardner is also associated with Sea Mist. Frank's father was killed by a drunk who ran off the road and hit him, so Frank, a member of large and poor family on the NSW south coast, was reluctantly taken on by his mother's brother, unmarried Hope Bartlett.<br /><br />Hope owned and ran a very successful bus business, was a champion golfer, tennis player and racing driver who won the New Zealand Grand Prix amongst other successes. He also owned Sea Mist, and Frank was told to live on and maintain Sea Mist as part of his being reared by Hope.<br /><br />Hope grew to love and be devoted to young Frank, and assisted him to buy and build his first Jaguar racing cars, and to purchase a Mobilgas Service Station at Barrenjoey Road, North Avalon.<br /><br />Frank had to clean the Sea Mist down and polish the brass fittings, and as result of his association with the sea he became an international sweep on lifesaving boats and captain of Whale Beach Club.<br /><br />There is another twist to this tale because Hope was badgered to sell Sea Mist by 'Mr Radio' Jack Davey, which he eventually did. Davey also owned a very expensive Le Mans racing D-Type Jaguar, and when this car was severely crashed by a friend of Davey's Frank bought the wreckage and rebuilt it. He had enormous success with it, went to Europe as a result, crewed on the Le Mans winning Aston Martin in 1959 and then became legendary as a driver there.<br /><br />Sadly, Frank, who lived on the Gold Coast for many years and died about two years ago, had no idea Sea Mist was in Brisbane, but I know he would loved to see it again after all that time. As another amazing link, his D-Type is now kept and owned in Brisbane having been brought back to Australia this year for the first time since 1967!Les. Hugheshttp://www.jaguarmagazine.comnoreply@blogger.com