Ponrabbel II Steam Dredge

The Ponrabbel II was the dredge that operated in the Tamar River from the 1920s until the 1970s. The Port of Launceston authority was determined that as many ships as possible should berth at wharves close to the city centre. Attempts to move the port further down the river were stoutly resisted. The Ponrabbel II was used to dredge the channel near Launceston. As larger ships were brought into the Tamar some strategic rocks in the Tamar were blasted and removed by the Ponrabbel II to improve navigation. The Ponrabbel II was also used in the building of the Bell Bay berthing facilities.

Specifications
Type of Vessel: TS Bucket Dredge.
Date Built: 1916.
Builder: Ferguson Bros. Ltd., Glasgow.
Dead Weight: 457 tons.
Length: 155ft 3in.
Breadth: 34ft 2in.
Owner: Marine Board of Launceston, Tasmania.
Engines: 2 X 2 cyl 15in & 30in X 21in.
Engine Builder: Ferguson Bros Ltd., Glasgow.
Built under the supervision of surveyors in accordance with the rules and regulations of Lloyd's Registry of Shipping.

Ponrabbel Engine Display

The port steam engine has been restored and is housed in a small shed close to the main museum building. It has been equipped with an electric motor drive to see it in operation (albeit slowly).
The starboard engine is housed at the Australian Maritime College - Newnham Campus in "The Stableyard" precinct.

Ponrabbel Room Display

Meanwhile, inside the museum (Pilot's Row) room number 6 is the "Ponrabbel Room". It has the original ship's wheel and Engine Order Telegraph pedestals and other memorabilia, and there is a model of the dredge.

Find Us We are situated at the head of the Tamar River in Northern Tasmania. The address is 411 Low Head Road, Low Head, Tasmania, 7253, Australia. The Pilot station is located on the eastern side of the river on a low peninsula and adjacent to Pilots Bay. Travel along the East Tamar Highway towards George Town, go straight ahead at the Bell Bay round-about and again straight ahead at the round-about in George Town. Follow the road for 5 kms to Low Head. Be aware of the speed limits. Interesting things to see along the way...
Admission Fee

Adults: $5.00
Concession: $4.00
Children: $3.00
Family: $15.00
Tour Buses: $3.00 per person
School Tours: $1.00 per person

Opening Hours:

10am to 4pm daily
Closed Xmas Day

Contact Us

Phone: 03 6382 1143
E-mail: museum@lowhead.com
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