History
Norman Wright & Sons
In 1909 Norman Wright borrowed £200 to start his own business at 67 Newstead Terrace, Newstead. His first commission was Superb (below), a shallow draught gaff-rigged centre board yacht, built for James Hogan Smith.
But the first contract came with the building of the 56 ft ferry Olivene, which operated from Sandgate to Woody Point and Redcliffe for the Humpybong Steamship Company. Over the years to follow, Norman Wright's were involved with many projects that made history; typically, the building of Francois, a 75 ft schooner and probably the largest racing yacht to be built by Wrights.
Following the outbreak of war in 1939, and particularly after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1941, the building of recreational craft was suspended in the wake of a wholesale diversion of resources towards the military effort.
The military authorities engaged the Norman Wright yard, to refit all types of small vessels for cargo work. The famous Fairmiles were well known in war and the Navy commissioned four of their 112 ft patrol boats for Norman Wright to build. After the return to peace time conditions in the late 1940s, there was a great demand for work boats such as trawlers, luggers, and vessels for the tourist resorts. During this period, the yard built boats for the Barrier Reef islands of Lindeman, South Molle, Orpheus, Magnetic and also Hayman Island.
Superb
In 1938 Taree, a Norman Wright built 18ft Skiff, won the World Championship in Sydney. There is no question, that the racing success of Norman's two sons, Norman Jnr and Ronald brought considerable publicity to the boat yard and contributed to the noticeable demand for racing boats, during this time.
By the 1950's, Norman Wright's sons had increasingly assumed responsibility for the day to day running of the yard. Young Norman, was already an experienced boat builder and Ronald had completed a university degree in Naval Architecture. But when old Norman Wright turned 65 in 1950 he was still reluctant to completely hand over the reins to his capable sons. The yard was still very much his personal empire and with Ronald's assistance, he continued to control all design work. In 1953, some small concession to his sons' contribution was made, when the enterprise commenced trading as the limited liability company, of 'Norman R Wright & Sons Pty Ltd'.
Repeated disagreements between the two Normans eventually led to the son's departure from the yard. By the 1960s, the Wright's dominance of the boat building industry at Bulimba was being met with competition from new quarters. Nevertheless, the yard did build some fine yachts during this period, including two classics, Beryle May in 1961 (now renamed South Pacific II) and Bali Hai in 1964.
Pilot Boat
With the passing of Norman Reginald Wright in 1970, Ronald Wright took over the reins and continued the business with his sons Bill and Ian, following in their grandfather's footsteps. Bill and Ian Wright later took over the management of the company with Ronald Wright still actively involved in the designs currently on the drawing boards.
In the early 1980's, a large proportion of the yard's work consisted of Government commissioned, pilot boats and passenger ferries. Norman Wrights is always endeavouring to keep up with the ever-changing technologies available and the pilot boat's developments are a great example. These vessels evolved from boat to boat receiving feedback from the operators and the prompt resolution of any problems that needed addressing. The structure of the boats became stronger and lighter and the latest boats were designed to withstand 'roll-over'. The developments from these boats spread into the boats built today.
Today, Norman R. Wright's imprint on the Australian boat building industry can be seen in boats like: the 63 ft Game Fishing Boat Weapon, 101 ft Luxury Motor Yacht Whistler, 41 ft Day Cruiser Terna, and the numerous and highly successful service vessels built.
Due to demand, Norman Wright Boat Builders has diversified into commissioning boats constructed from aluminium and fibreglass, while still maintaining their timber building heritage.
Terna
Whether the vessel is to be one of the many types of commercial vessels plying their various trades, or a luxurious motor yacht; the vessels built by Norman R. Wright & Sons on their Bulimba slipways enjoy an enviable and on-going record for unquestionable seaworthiness, guaranteed performance and impeccable finish.
Such a profound commitment, coupled with high business ethics and the awareness of the legacy left them by the previous Wright generations has produced in Bill and Ian Wright the desire and drive to see the company handed to the next generation, with the same proud history and future expectations with which it has now passed to them. The future of classical boat building in Australia appears as sound today as it did when their very capable predecessors inherited the same responsibility for, and the guidance of, Norman R. Wright & Sons - boat builders with a past and future.