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AE Tilley
He commenced a shipbuilding business around the beginning of the twentieth century at East Fremantle. In 1903 he built the two masted schooner, FRANCES, a lugger of 13.1 tons. FRANCES was damaged by a cyclone in 1935, but was repaired, and used by the Royal Australian Navy in World War II.
Alf Tilley’s boatshed, on the site of the present East Street Jetty, East Fremantle, also hired out motor launches and boats for fishing in Fremantle Harbour. The launches ranged in capacity from 25 to 150 passengers. They were INVINCIBLE, ROCKET 1, UNION and DAUNTLESS. Later the company re-built the Walter Reeks’ designed and built twin screw steamer EMERALD (1901). It had come from Queensland and could carry 765 passengers. The company (then known as AE Tilley & Co) was providing round sea trip excursions on Sundays from Barrack Street Jetty leaving at 10am and returning to Perth at 6pm.
Fishing boats they built included STELLA, COLUMBIA and SILVER WAVE. Schooners included MOYANA, THOR and RIPPLE.
Published reports include:
1911 & 1912: WA Angling Club runs fishing competitions from A E Tilleys Boatshed
1912: A E Tilley involved in agreements with Coastal Shipwrights & Boatbuilders Union
1914: Tilley completed beautiful motor-launch to carry 150 passengers
1915: Tilley launches THE DAUNTLESS 52ft X 12ft X 5 ft to carry 150 passengers
1929: A E Tilley in charge of salvaging the Swedish steamer LYGNERN aground on the Beagle Shoal near the Gage Roads
1934: A E Tilley Dies
1949: A E Tilley & Co boatshed still operating
Person TypeInstitution
