Falie

The Falie began her long career as the Hollands Trouw, built in 1919 at Maasluis, Holland. This steel-hulled twin-masted schooner of 213 gross tons would go on to serve Australia in both peace and war for over six decades.

Early Trading Career

On August 31, 1923, after a challenging voyage from Norway via Cape Horn under Captain Andreas Broun, the vessel arrived in Australia with a cargo of timber. Purchased by the Spencer Gulf Transport Company, she was renamed Falie after the captain's wife's nickname. The vessel joined South Australia's "Mosquito Fleet" of ketches, primarily serving ports along Spencer Gulf and the West Coast, with occasional voyages to Geelong, Melbourne and Tasmania.

Commercial Operations

The Falie operated as a general trader, carrying up to 3,000 bags of grain along with timber, gypsum, salt, and household goods. Like other ketches of her era, she often worked in challenging conditions, sometimes deliberately beaching to load or unload cargo with only two or three crew members operating her robust derrick system.

Wartime Service

During World War II, the vessel was commandeered and renamed HMAS Falie, operating from Sydney. Her most notable wartime action involved ramming a Japanese midget submarine, preventing it from launching torpedoes. The vessel served around New Guinea and transported explosives between Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia before being decommissioned in 1946.

Post-War Years

After returning to South Australian waters, Falie resumed commercial operations, including regular service to Kangaroo Island. She earned the distinction of being the last ketch in regular commercial service, making her final trading voyage in 1982. Rather than facing demolition, she was preserved to serve as the flagship vessel for South Australia's 150th anniversary celebrations.

Later Years

Under Captain Allan Workman, Falie visited 34 out-ports collecting ceremonial cargoes and participated in Sydney's Bicentennial Tall Ships celebration. She later operated as a charter vessel in Gulf waters before being placed in dry dock due to extensive maintenance requirements.

Key Facts

Specification	Detail
Built	1919, Maasluis, Holland
Type	Steel-hulled twin-masted schooner/ketch
Gross Tonnage	213 tons
Original Name	Hollands Trouw
Cargo Capacity	Up to 3,000 bags of grain