Object Details
Name/TitlePhotograph, "Thumper" and "Thumper Too"
About this object"Thumper" and "Thumper Too"
"Thumper" was a Hercules De Havilland so called because it made a distinctive ‘thumping’ sound as it ploughed into the waves built up by the wind. She was not used for long as she was not suitable for what Westy Davis really wanted to do – crabbing. He was known as ‘’Crab Man’’ until he passed away in May 2002.
He commissioned another boat specifically for crabbing , a quarter plate aluminium “Stringray” with lowered sides and the width calculated to accommodate two crab traps side by side. Once the boat was in the water, Westy’s wife, Sue, noticed that it also ’thumped’ so was named ‘’Thumper Too’’.
Note: Keith “Westy” Davis was the first fisherman in the port to commercially catch crabs for the Sydney market. It is hard to believe now but during the 1970s crabs where considered pests to the fishermen. They would tangle and rip the mesh nets, chew on the caught fish and snap at your fingers. Most crabs if caught in the nets were stomped or crushed.
Place MadeOceania, Australia, Queensland, Wacol
MakerUnknown
Maker RoleBoat Builder
PeriodMid 20th century
Formatjpeg
Object TypeFishing Vessel
Subject and Association KeywordsBoat building
Subject and Association KeywordsBoats
Subject and Association KeywordsFishing - commercial
Subject and Association KeywordsCrabbing
Subject and Association KeywordsShip wrecks
Object numberTMA2021.00166.2
Copyright Licence


