When I first visited Franklin, I was immediately drawn to an old boat moored at the docks in the heart of town. The MV Cartela really caught my attention. Built in 1926, it’s a steel-hulled ferry with a fascinating history. For years, it was an essential part of Hobart’s ferry network, carrying passengers and freight across the Derwent River, connecting the city with nearby communities.
Over time, the Cartela has gone through its fair share of changes, restorations, refits, and the inevitable wear from decades of use. Despite modern transport reshaping the region, the Cartela has remained a much-loved symbol of the area’s maritime heritage. It was a pleasure to paint it on a sunny spring afternoon, capturing that piece of history.
These days, the Cartela is a testament to Tasmania’s dedication to preserving its maritime past. Its ongoing restoration brings a sense of nostalgia for the locals and keeps that connection to the past alive, when boats like the Cartela were the lifeblood of life on the waterways. It actually partially sank recently, another chapter in its story. You can read more about it here.
Title: The MV Cartela, awaiting patiently for the next journey (2022)
Size: 29cm (height) x 34cm (width)
Medium: oil on board
AUD
