The TSHD Tommy Norton - but why is she called "Tommy Norton?"

Gippsland Ports and the Gippsland Lakes at large have long awaited the new dredge, but why the “Tommy Norton”?  

Over the last couple of years we have all kept an eye on the progress of a new dredge for Lakes Entrance. Some thought it would never happen, others certain in the knowledge that finally, after many temporary fixes, an effective dredge for the iconic Entrance, the only link from the Gippsland Lakes catchment to Bass Strait, would happen.

But why is it called “Tommy Norton?”

For the answer, we travel back in time to the mid 19^th century when sail and steam still powered vessels which plied the coastal fringes, the rivers and lakes. They were the major means of transportation both cargo and personnel. During these times there was a navigable channel between the lakes and the ocean, the paddle steamer PS ‘Thomas Norton’ was one of the pilot tugs used to tow and navigate sail and steam vessels through this treacherous stretch of water.

Built in 1859, by W & G White of Williamstown, a carvel built paddle steamer the PS ‘Tommy Norton’, as she was affectionately known, was brought to the Gippsland Lakes by the newly formed ‘Gippsland Lakes Navigation Company’ arriving on 20th June 1864.  After some thirteen years of work in these treacherous waters and towing endless vessels though the ever changing passage, on 26th October 1877, just 2 years before the Artificial Entrance was completed, between 6:00 and 7:00 pm., the PS ‘Tommy Norton’ was wrecked on the western spit of the entrance location . The paddle steamer was ruthlessly pounded by relentless waves, but held on to ensure no lives were lost: 

Excerpt – Gippsland Times (Vic) – Article ‘ The Wreck of the Tommy Norton’ – published 2nd November 1877. . . “And now the latest proof (Ed: of the need for the new entrance) is the complete wreck of the steamer Thomas Norton, the most useful vessel the Gippsland Steam Navigation Company possessed for the navigation of the lakes between Sale and Bairnsdale while the Entrance was closed, and as a pilot boat while the channel was open.  She has now gone to pieces at the Entrance, and her remains whatever may be left of her, belong to some insurance society”. 

So there you have it, a fitting name for the new dredge which I am sure will once more be, to quote the Gippsland Times of 1877  “the most useful vessel (the Gippsland Steam Navigation Company- now we can say Gippsland Ports)  possessed (s)  for the navigation of the lakes between Sale and Bairnsdale” Long may she serve the Gippsland Lakes.

Wreck of Tommy Norton 1877

Since the turn of the century many options have been used to maintain the vital navigable channel of the Entrance, for commercial and private craft. At times is has become almost unnavigable due to silting so continued dredging is required be specialist craft.  To compare former dredges with the new Tommy Norton may be of interest to all the “old seas dogs” out there.

April Hamer

Pelican

 Tommy Norton

 The April Hamer, a suction dredge built in 1976 of 510 tons, built in 1976. Length (OA):  39.37 m. Width:  11 m Depth:  3.64 m Draft (loaded):  1.76 m. Number of engines:  2. Engine specs:  Caterpillar - D379TA. Total power:  1722 kW. Hopper volume:  841 m³

More recently for about 6 weeks or so depending on weather etc., and on an annual basis after an initial extended period to clear the silted entrance was The Pelican. She served the area for eight years, and was retired from service in 2017.

The Pelican a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge (TSHD) with Split-hull Owned by Van Oord NV. Built in:  1979. Length (OA):  62.62 m Width:  11.21 m. Depth:  4.27 m. Draft (loaded):  3.71 m Number of engines:  2.  Engine specs:  Smit-Bolnes - 3DNL 150/600 - 2Str - 3 cyl. Total power:  1504 kW. Speed (loaded):  10 knts. Hopper volume:  965 m³. Dredging depth:  13.2 m. Dredging depth (extended):  20 m. Suction pipe diameter:  0.45 m. Number of dredging pipes:  1.

The specifications of both these vessels are comparable with those of the Tommy Norton, which was designed with the short comings of both previous dredges in mind and specifically for this region’s conditions. Capable of dredging to depths of 15 meters, the dredger has been built with self-emptying capabilities with bottom doors for dumping and the choice of either a bow connection or rainbow expulsion for beach reclamation work.

The Tommy Norton also a TSHD.  Managed by Gippsland Ports. Built  2017 by Damen Shipyards Yichang China. Design by: Damen Dredging Equipment. Length (OA):  59.75 m Width:  11 m Depth:  4 m Draft (loaded):  3.15 m Engine specs:  Diesel 2X339KW, azimuth propellers speed:  8.5 knts. Hopper volume:  750 m³. Suction pipe diameter:  0.4 m Number of dredging pipes:  2.

The building of the Tommy Norton was funded by the Victorian Government and to be owned and operated at Lakes Entrance by Gippsland Ports on behalf of the state to perform maintenance dredging at Lakes Entrance.

She is specifically configured to perform maintenance dredging at the Lakes Entrance bar and inner channels to maintain navigable ocean access at Lakes Entrance, ensuring a safer and more reliable entry to the Gippsland Lakes for commercial fishing, shipping and recreational boating. This will increase maritime traffic and provide economic benefit to the region.

The dredging activities undertaken by Gippsland Ports are the subject of stringent environmental controls, to ensure the important environmental values of the Gippsland Lakes are protected.  To achieve this mission effectively, the Tommy Norton has been modified to increase the installed propulsion power, allowing her to manage the strong currents encountered in the area. To minimize disruption to the local ecosystem, an anti-turbidity valve has been fitted on the overflow to reduce air bubbles and visible plumage in the water.

Additional features include an indication package to measure soil density. This allows the suction pipe to be angled precisely for accurate operations. The dredging process will be made even more efficient by the installation of the navigational dredging aid, NavGuard, indicating the area and quantity of substrate dredged. In order to increase the vessel’s payload capacity when dredging sand with a high specific density, Damen has reduced the freeboard of the vessel and applied a dredge mark.

Steel cutting for the building commenced on June 28, 2016, and construction of the vessel progressed steadily consistent with the construction schedule. The keel was laid in September 2016 and she was launched in April 2017.  

                

After successfully completed sea trials in Shanghai, she sailed on 14th July, with a Damen crew of seven lead by Captain Martin van Krieken, approximately 5,000 nautical miles over approximately 30 days to reach Australia.  Along the way, the vessel stopped off in Guam for bunkering and to enable the crew to take on supplies of fresh water and food.  After sea trials at Lakes Entrance during September and October, she will go into full service.

The builders and designers Damen Shipyards Group is a leading builder of hopper dredgers, and its vessels found all over the world. They are a Netherlands based company with shipyards in China. The Tommy Norton is the first Damen dredger built for Australia and sailing on own keel to final destination.

The Tommy Norton is a great asset to the region and will I am sure successfully be on station for many years. God bless her and all who sail in her.

Sources & Images: Dredging Point.org, Dredging Today.com, Damen.com. Gippsland Ports.vic.gov.au, POI Australia, Ship Spotting.com, John Munns.

JM 2017