Australian Work Boat - Archie Badenoch

[kazzaday]

The "Archie Badenoch" an Australian Work Boat built by Holdens during WWII. It can be seen at Port Adelaide and you can take a cruise along the Port River.

The "Archie Badenoch" www.afloat.com.au/afloat-magazine/2009/october-2009/Archie_67_Years_On

See more pictures here www.google.com.au/search?q=%22Archie+Badenoch%22&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-au%3AIE-Address&rlz=1I7ACAW_enAU307&prmd=imvnso&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=fyQlUN77EezUmAX0jYHICg&ved=0CFYQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=591

[mflapan]

A webpage on 40' Army Workboats can be found at www.boatregister.net/WW2_ArmyWorkBoats.html

The beginnings of an individual 40' Army Workboat register can be found at www.boatregister.net/WW2_ArmyWorkBoats_files/WW2_40footer_Regster.htm

The latter page contains the latest information that I have been able to uncover on the Archie Badenoch which says:

Built for the Royal Navy in 1945 to be used as a work boat in New Guinea, number unknown. 1946 acquired by police, named for Mounted Constable Archibald Badenoch who was the first SA police officer to be killed in action during WW2. To be stationed at Glenelg and would patrol from Henley Beach to Brighton, could make a fast trip as far as Kangaroo Island if called upon, two members of water police division would be in constant attendance to enable boat to leave on a rescue mission at a moment's notice. 1946/08/25 ran rough weather trials off the Outer Harbour, reported behaved 'magnificently'. 1946/08/31 reported telephone installed at Glenelg Jetty in preparation for arrival of launch, telephone was to connect the Glenelg Police Station with the end of the jetty.

The interesting point is that she was built for the Royal Navy rather than the Royal Australian Navy.

The entry on the Australian Historic Vessel register says Archie was originally assigned the Australian Army number AM1633 but this conflicts with the story that she was used by the RAN at Adelaide. Subsequent research has indicated that the number AM1633 was the original number for RAN launch AWB433 and not Archie.

As you can see, there is a lot of conflicting information about the origins of the Archie Badenoch. I am in communication with the South Australian Maritime Museum and they are currently trying to unravel the story.

Any assistance from participants to this forum would be gratefully received.

Regards
Mori