News from Cygnet Wooden Boats August 07, 2020 at 11:54AM

Build at Battery Point by Able Tucker the 1910 Huon Pine, Fantail Launch, TELITA needs a new owner! TELITA is of special significance to Tasmanian Maritime History! Nicole Mays: "Telita, ex Toine, was built by Albert “Tucker” Abel who established a boatyard at Battery Point in 1897 on an allotment owned by the Risby family. Here, between 1898 and 1937 he built more than 65 vessels, including 18 motor launches—the building of which became his forte. The design and appearance of Telita are characteristic of the type of vessels he built. The motor launch Toine first shows up in 1916 when owned by B. Maycock. He died in late 1924 and the vessel was purchased by Henry Clayton, a founding member of the Motor Yacht Club. Clayton retired in late 1932 and the vessel was sold." More from Peta Clarke: "She was owned for over 30 years by Ernie Clark from late 1950s He bought her from E C Tatnell of Midway Point. She had a Ford Mercury side valve V8 motor then, my uncle changed that for a Meadows 100hp ohv, twin carby, 6 cylinder motor. This motor really was too powerful for the hull and eventually we changed it for a 3 cylinder Perkins diesel which was much more suited and is still in her today." TELITA will be given away to the person or organisation provided they are prepared to preserve or restore her for future generations! For more information please contact the owner Dirk Lorenzen. Phone 0425 277415 or Email. flyingp@bigpond.com Thanks to Peta Clarke and Wooden Boats Tasmania for the painting and pictures of Telita.