Old Clipper Is Still Doing A Job

Rather battered after its wartime experiences, but still doing the job as breakwater for the Burns Philp jetty behind the company's store at Kokopo, New Britain, is the hulk of the old England-Australia clipper "Loch Katrine".

In the pre-war picture above, the vessel is seen as she was soon after she had been towed from Rabaul to form the breakwater. She had previously been the coal hulk for BP ships at Rabaul.

The figure in white with arms akimbo is Jim McEwan, then BP manager at Kokopo. Behind him in khaki shorts, is Wally Tait, the firm's well-known steve dore.

The "Loch Katrine" was a steel ship of 1,200 tons, built in 1870. She was in the England-Australia trade until 1910, when she was dismasted off Cape Howe and towed to Sydney, and then turned into a coal hulk.

The writer recalls the old ship coming to Melbourne to load wool In the early part of the century. She was carrying some apprentices who were being trained in sail.

In those days the ship was smart and well-kept, and officers and crew were proud of her gleaming paint, white decks, good accommodation, and fine spread of canvas at sea.—FRED ARCHER.