1798 – PRESENT
Heritage
THE VERY FIRST — AUSTRALIA’S FIRST PRIVATE BOAT BUILDING YARD
James Underwood (1771–1844) holds his place in early Australian history, for he was the founder of Australia’s first boat building yard — ‘Underwood’s Yard’.
The very first
It was in 1798 that the keel was laid for the Colony’s first private boat. At 38 feet on the keel, and 44 tons burthen, the new vessel Contest was a modest beginning for both Underwood and the Colony, a far cry from what was to come.
From those humble beginnings, James Underwood, alongside business partner Kable, went on to build numerous vessels for trade, sealing and transport, including the 200 tonne King George, Australia’s first fully-rigged ship.
James came out to Australia as a convict aboard the third fleet ship Admiral Barrington. It didn’t take long for James to find his feet in the strange new land; learning the trade of boatbuilder and setting up home and shipyard at the mouth of Tank Stream in Sydney Cove.
James and his brother Joseph grew to be wealthy businessmen and traders, with interests ranging from sealing to boat building to distilling. James is also known for being Australia’s first commercial distiller.
Six generations have since passed, and James’s great-nephew Tom Robinson is continuing the legacy of James and his brother Joseph, honouring their family name.
Underwood’s Yard.
BOATS from 13 to 26 Feet Keel, adapted either to Pleasure or Burthen, BUILT on any Construction in the above Yard at a short Notice. Permission being previously obtained.
Gentlemen or others will be treated with by James Underwood on fair and equitable Terms.
Sydney Gazette — 4th September, 1803
CARRYING THE NAME
A name is only worth what the work behind it is worth.
Underwood’s Marine takes the name of a yard that built the Colony’s first private vessel. Today it belongs to a team of shipwrights, boat builders and finishers in Thornlands, Queensland, working to the same simple standard: sound method, honest assessment, and vessels left better found than they arrived.
THE LINE OF DESCENT
1771
Born in England, James Underwood came out to New South Wales as a convict aboard the third fleet ship Admiral Barrington.
The keel was laid for the Colony's first private boat. At 38 feet on the keel and 44 tons burthen, Contest was a modest beginning for both Underwood and the Colony.
The Sydney Gazette carries notice of boats from 13 to 26 feet keel, adapted either to pleasure or burthen, built on any construction in the yard at Tank Stream.
With business partner Kable, Underwood went on to build numerous vessels for trade, sealing and transport, including the 200 tonne King George, Australia's first fully-rigged ship.
James's great-nephew Tom Robinson continues the legacy of James and his brother Joseph, honouring the family name in a working yard on Moreton Bay.
1771 — PRESENT