First boat built at Newhaven in 1873
JW Gliddon, in his account of the early years on Phillip Island believed that the first boat to be built on Phillip Island was “The Trusty” in 1873.
It was a one hundred tonne ketch and measured 74x18x7.5 feet.
The author cited the following recollections of W J Pickersgill, who was born on the island in 1869, in his book Phillip Island in Picture and Story.
“The most interesting boat of the lot was the old Trusty” Mr Pickersgill said.
“It was built, owned and sailed by Captain McLeod, whose family kept the post office at Newhaven.
“She was built near the Newhaven end of the island, and launched almost opposite Churchill Island. This would have been in about 1873, a red letter day for the island.
“Everyone for miles around was there. I considered it a wonderful effort under existing conditions.
“It was a long step from a well fitted up dockyard to just a rough place in the bush for the building and launching of a big boat.
“The old sailor had to build his own slipway and erect the supports as best he could.”
The Trusty was built for carrying coal from Griffiths Point (San Remo) and her maiden voyage was in 1877 but the Kilcunda mine had closed by then so she entered the coastal trade travelling as far as Sydney, Adelaide and Tasmania.
Unfortunately, at a later date, the Trusty was the cause of a tragedy. The bottom of the boat had become so encrusted with marine growth that the owner decided to beach her between the jetties at Griffiths Point, now San Remo.
This was successfully carried out, but before the job was completed the shoring gave way and allowed the boat to tip over on her side, causing Captain McLeod to be crushed to death.
Captain McLeod had two sons Alexander and Andrew who continued on in the trade, both owning several ketches.
Andrew was the master of the Genista from 1904 to 1915. He died in 1916.
His son Alexander disappeared feared drowned in Western Port, east of San Remo on St Patricks day 1915.
The McLeods are buried or have memorials in the Phillip Island cemetery.
