Girt by stories

South Australian Maritime Museum

Nelcebee

Nelcebee was launched in Port Adelaide in 1883 and worked the southern coast for 99 years – longer than any other vessel. It holds a history of shipping in its riveted-iron hull, having worked as a tug, coastal steamer, auxiliary ketch and motor trader. For much of its life it was part of the Mosquito Fleet of ketches and schooners that linked city and country. When Nelcebee retired in 1982, it was the third oldest vessel on Lloyds Register.

Nelcebee is is now located on Dock 2 at Honey Street, Port Adelaide.

Photographs 

Photographs on this webpage document Nelcebee’s colourful history from steamer tug to auxilliary ketch and some of the characters connected with the ship they nicknamed ‘Nelly.’

Oral Histories

In 2011, oral historian Sally Stephenson conducted eight interviews for the South Australian Maritime Museum’s Remembering Nelly Oral History Project. Skippers and deckies share their memories of working on South Australia’s longest-serving ketch. This project was supported by the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme (MMAPSS).

Mick Potter

Mary Heritage

John Henry Foat

Gordon Ross

Colin Day

Chris Frizell

Remembering Nellie – Gordon Ross

 

Gallery

Nelcebee crew enjoying a lager, 1945, Ron Thiele Collection
Nelcebee log book, 1981-1982, SA Maritime Museum Collection
Nelcebee on slip after collision with schooner Gerard, 1934, SA Maritime Museum Collection
Nelcebee towing Dunfermline off Port Germein, 1902, Searcy Collection. Courtesy State Library South Australia
Nelcebee under sail, about 1928 just after its conversion from tug to ketch, SA Maritime Museum Collection
Nelcebee working as a tug, Port Pirie, early 20th century, SA Maritime Museum Collection
Nelcebee, SA Maritime Museum Collection
Nelcebee's crew, 1946 - Engineer Syd Rosser, Captain Wally Tribbeck and Ron Thiele, Ron Theile Collection
Nelcebee's crew, 1946, Ron Thiele Collection
Nelcebee's last crew, North Parade, Port Adelaide, 1982, Photographer unknown
Order from R.Fricker & Co. to William Russells, 1969, SA Maritime Museum Collection
Ron Thiele on Nelcebee, 1945, Ron Thiele Collection
Ron Thiele with Nelcebee's cook, Ron Thiele Collection
View of Nelcebee's bridge, 1950s, SA Maritime Museum Collection
Certificate of Discharge - H. Tozer, Nelcebee, 1954, SA Maritime Musuem Collection
Crew at Kingscote, 1981 - Judith Morris, Skug Cutler, Chris Frizell, Phil Coventry, Mick Wyshnja, Hector McArthur
Deckhand Chris Frizell in Nelcebee's forward hold, 6 March, 1981, Courtesy Photographer Milton Wordley
Discharge stub for Richard Bromwade, Nelcebee, SA Maritime Museum Collection
Loading drums at North Parade, Port Adelaide, about 1968, Courtesy R. Frickers and Co.
Mick Wyschnja throwing a line at Shell Company wharf, 1979, Courtesy Photographer Chris Frizell
Nelcebee leaving American River, about 1979, Courtesy Photographer Chris Frizell
Nelcebee on the sand at the entrance to Port Price, late 1920s, SA Maritime Museum Collection
Nelcebee after restoration, SA Maritime Musuem Collection
Nelcebee and ketch Lulu at Port Julia, about 1929, SA Maritime Museum Collection
Nelcebee as a steamer at Port Pirie, early 20th century, SA Maritime Museum Collection
Nelcebee as auxillary schooner, about 1929, Gulf St Vincent, SA Maritime Museum Collection
Nelcebee at Ardrossan, about 1930, SA Maritime Musuem Collection
Nelcebee at Port Julia with 'Mac' the dog in the foreground, Courtesy Keith Dunn, SA Maritime Museum Collection
Nelcebee at Port Julia, about 1929, SA Maritime Museum Collection
Nelcebee at Port Pirie, 1925, Courtesy State Library of South Australia
Nelcebee careened in the Port River, SA Maritime Museum Collection

Permanent Exhibition

Where

Honey Street, Port Adelaide SA, Australia

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