Lady Jillian seen derelict at Kings Wharf, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.

Photo Taken: November 2009.

LADY JILLIAN

1948-1969: JILLIAN CROUCH
1969-Present: LADY JILLIAN

Type: General Cargo & Livestock Vessel
Official Number: 156029 | IMO: 5171983
Owner: L. D. Shipping Pty. Ltd. (Les Dick) - Launceston, Australia
Previous Owners: 1969-1996: Flinders Strait Shipping Co. Ltd. | 1948-1969: R. M. Crouch & Co.
Flag: Australian | Port of Registry: Launceston | Call Sign: VLBP
Year Built: 1948 | Country of Build: Australia | Builder: R. M. Crouch & Co. | Location of Yard: Port Adelaide
Construction Materials: Hull: Steel | Under Waterline: Jarrah | Deck: Celery top pine
GRT: 242 | NRT: 99 | DWT: 250
LOA: 38.26 m | LPP: 34.6 m | Beam: 7.75 m | Draught: 2.75 m
Cargo Gear: 1 x derrick with slewing gear | Derrick SWL: 5 (long) tons
Main Engine: Cummins Diesel, 4 stroke KT-19M | Power: 317 kW (425 HP)
Service Speed: 9.5 knots

The trading ketch Lady Jillian was built in 1948 as the Jillian Crouch in Port Adelaide, South Australia. The vessel initially operated in the Tasmanian Timber trade and was later modified in the late 1950’s to carry sulphuric acid in tanks located below her deck. During this modification, her main mast was removed, reducing her masts down to two.

In 1969, the Flinders Strait Shipping Company had purchased the Jillian Crouch and renamed her Lady Jillian. At this time, Lady Jillian underwent modifications to be more suited for carrying general freight as well as livestock. Regular ports of call were Launceston in Tasmania, Port Welshpool in Victoria, and Whitemark and Lady Barron located at Flinders Island.

In 1997, Lady Jillian was purchased by the Launceston based L. D. Shipping. Under the ownership of L. D. Shipping, she continued operation for 4-5 years.

Lady Jillian utilised sail in combination with her diesel engine for propulsion and was the last commercial coastal freighter to use sail in Australia.

Lady Jillian has been mostly neglected in Launceston for approx. 20 years. A long-term plan of restoring the vessel into a four-star tourist ship had been reported some years ago, but with the passing of her owner in 2021, this seems unlikely.