On 10th May 2016 a group of members and friends of the Great Lakes Historical Society, based in Tuncurry NSW, travelled to Gosford for the purposes of going on board the US Army WT 85 Protrude to experience a trip out on the Brisbane Water.
Unfortunately the wind was blowing so hard it was simply not possible to leave the Gosford Breakwall mooring.
Those in attendance did spend some valued time onboard talking with current owner David Winning and exploring every nook and cranny of the boat. David started the engine and it purred over very nicely for much of the time we were on board.
The museum and all who visited the Protrude are very grateful for the time both David Winning and Larry Elliott made available to us during our visits to Gosford and Woy Woy. We are also very grateful to them for the provision of important information, documents, artefacts and photos relating to the US Army WT85 Protrude (1943) which will form a significant body of information at the museum for all to benefit from in the future.
We had also paid a visit earlier in the day to Woy Woy to connect with former owner Larry Elliott who was able to provide us with a lot of information and a vessel registration certificate which detailed ownership by Stannard Bros Launch Services PTY LTD dated 21st July 1982 with Edward Horace Ballard of 19 Wharf Rd Balmain's name listed on the certificate and crossed through as the vessel was sold at this time to Aaron Maher of 31 Queen St, Concord, 2137 on the 28th August 1987.
We have still to contact previous owners the Stannard Family, Aaron Maher, Allan Draper and Murray McDonald, owners prior to Larry Elliott and current owner David Winning.
Further details of the Protrude are listed on the gallery descriptions and individual images below at the following links.
HERE at Flickr Gallery 1 at Zenfolio Gallery 2 at Zenfolio