In 1945, Reginald Crouch designed and began construction of an unusual, composite hulled, three masted, auxiliary trading schooner for the southern Australian coast. So soon after WWII, men and materials were in short supply. As well as working alongside the Port Adelaide shipwrights, Reg recorded Jillian’s construction on his 16mm movie camera using early colour film. Reg captured blacksmiths, welders and shipwrights, with adzes and caulking mallets, as they worked on the busy shores of the Port River over a period of three years.
The documentary series is available for purchase through maritime museums and Boat Books Australia.