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HMS DART with the KASSA in tow off King Island

Artist Arthur Victor Gregory (1867 - 1957)

Date1917

Object number00042374

NamePainting

MediumWatercolour, wood, metal, paper, board

Dimensions725 x 980 x 40 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThe Royal Navy's former hydrographic survey vessel HMS DART is shown taking the cargo ship KASSA in tow after the latter foundered in heavy weather conditions off Hummock Island, Tasmania on 14 September 1917. Eventually the tow rope had to be cut as the foul weather threatened DART.HistoryThe 470-ton two-masted auxiliary schooner HMS DART was built in 1877 by Barrow Shipbuilding Company, Barrow, North West England as the CRUISER but was fitted out for the Royal Navy's work on the Australia Station when it was launched in 1882. DART was originally intended as an official yacht for the Commander-in-Chief but was employed in hydrographic surveys around the Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania, New Zealand and the Pacific islands, including Papua New Guinea, the Solomons and the New Hebrides. In 1904, DART was lent to the NSW Government and used as a training ship and occasional tender for the naval training ship NSS SOBRAON. In 1912 it was sold to the Victorian Government and commenced service as a training ship for cadets, in which capacity it served until 1919. The KASSA was a 287-ton three-masted barque built at Jersey in 1868 and was owned by H Jones & Co in 1917. On 14 September 1917 the KASSA, en-route from Southport, Tasmania to Wallaroo, South Australia with a full load of timber, was disabled in fierce and heavy weather conditions off Hummock Island, Tasmania. The DART came to its aid and attempted to tow it to safety in Melbourne. More heavy weather was encountered off King Island and DART was forced to cut the tow rope lest it too became a victim of the tumultuous seas. The KASSA managed to proceed under her own sail to the shelter of anchorage off Hummock Island while the DART proceeded to Stanley and reported the incident. The tug WYBIA was later chartered to take KASSA to Launceston for repairs. SignificanceThis painting is a fine depiction of HMS DART's attempt to tow the KASSA with its full load of Tasmanian timber. Australian artist Arthur Victor Gregory has effectively captured the atmospheric conditions of the fierce weather conditions during that encounter.