Mort's Dock & Engineering Co. Ltd, Engineers and Shipbuilders, 1893, Ship No. 28, Engines No. 222, Sydney

Maker Mort's Dock and Engineering Company (Australian, 1855 - 1968)

Date1893

Object number00045812

NameBuilder's plate

MediumMetal; brass

DimensionsOverall: 385 x 465 x 5 mm

ClassificationsVisual communication

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from the Trustees of the Sydney Training Depot

Terms

DescriptionCast brass builder's plate from Sydney pilot ship CAPTAIN COOK (II), inscribed 'MORT'S DOCK & ENGINEERING CO. LD. /Engineers and Shipbuilders /1893/ Ship No. 28 Engines No. 222/ SYDNEY.' CAPTAIN COOK, built at Mort's Dock, Balmain in 1893, was the second of three pilot ships of that name. It was well known for its 45 years' service on Sydney Harbour and for rescues and other duties at places outside Sydney such as Middleton Reef ( in 1907) and Lord Howe Island. It was also well known for its large figurehead representing Captain James Cook, which was transferred to the next ship of the name. The ship was renamed CAPTAIN PHILLIP in 1939, when the third CAPTAIN COOK pilot ship came into service. It served with the Australian Army before being scuttled off Sydney in 1947. Mort's Dock & Engineering Co Ltd existed from 1875-1961. It was an important ship and boatbuilder in Sydney, and during World War II repaired vessels and built corvettes for the RAN. All three CAPTAIN COOK pilot ships were built at Mort's Dock. SignificanceRoss Gillett, Australian Ships, Sydney 1989, pp 33-34