Museum Highlights
As Islanders, Tasmanians identify deeply with their maritime heritage. Heavily reliant on shipping due to its isolation from mainland Australia, Tasmania’s dependence on interstate shipping is significantly higher compared to other Australian states, and this reliance extends to Tasmania’s Bass Strait islands. Devonport has played a pivotal role in connecting Tasmania to these islands and the mainland via Bass Strait.
To tell the story of Devonport and its unique relationship with Bass Strait, the Bass Strait Maritime Museum showcases ten objects, each representing a fragment of this rich maritime history and the enduring connection between Devonport and the waters of Bass Strait.
This curated mini tour provides visitors with a snapshot of the city’s past, featuring items that range from maritime artifacts to significant local treasures. Each object has been selected to represent an aspect of Devonport’s heritage, offering an experience for all ages.
#1 Bell from Abel Tasman
The Bell from the Abel Tasman, a ferry that connected Tasmania and Victoria from 1985 to 1993, symbolising Tasmania’s growing confidence as a tourism destination.
#2 Painting of Woods Point by Annie Cocker
Annie Cocker’s painting, titled “Wood’s Point, 1857,” vividly depicts one of Devonport’s most important shipyards, capturing the essence of Tasmania’s coastal heritage, at a time when women artists were rare.
#3 Early 20th C Dive Suit
An early 20th-century canvas diver’s suit, as used in Devonport’s Mersey River, weighing 76 kgs and complete with lead weights, gloves, and boots. These suits were crucial for underwater missions and were attached to large hand-pumped air compressors, prior to the invention of oxygen tanks.
#4 Model of Oyster Ketch “Spray” – belonging to Joshua Slocum
Our model of the Spray celebrates Captain Joshua Slocum’s historic solo circumnavigation of the globe, with a notable stop in Devonport. Tragically, Slocum and his vessel were lost at sea during a subsequent voyage.
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#5 Teddy Sheean’s replica VC medal
Teddy Sheean, a Tasmanian sailor, was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously in 2020 for his WWII heroism, protecting his shipmates and sacrificing his life. This was the first VC for a Royal Australian Navy member. His legacy of courage and selflessness is proudly shared at the Bass Strait Maritime Museum.
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#6 Tasmanian Aboriginal paperbark Ningher/canoe
This ningher/canoe reflects the traditional maritime practices of Tasmania’s First Nation people. Ninghers are significant for their role in Tasmania’s earliest maritime heritage.
#7 Model of the G Ward Cole Dredge
The G. Ward Cole dredge, built in 1889 played a key role in maintaining the Mersey River’s navigation channels until it was shipwrecked in 1930. The remains of the dredge are still visible at low tide from Devonport’s Shipwreck Beach.
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#8 Signal Lantern from the Mersey
This gas-powered brass and copper signal beacon, crafted by Aga System Dalen around 1905, was essential for guiding vessels safely in and out of the Mersey River harbour, ensuring maritime safety through its green starboard lens.
#9 Drake Dinghy
Likely to be the oldest, surviving dingy in Tasmania, this important, clinker-built loading boat, was crafted by John Drake sometime before 1880. After extensive research, the boat was added to the Australian Register of Historic Vessels in 2024.
#10 White Star Line Jug and Plate
This jug and plate, created for the White Star Line reflect the significant contributions of Devonport’s Holyman family to Australia’s maritime and commercial histories.