Service career SS John Oxley

wheelhouse chartroom below, sept 2013

in october 1923, john oxley left greenock, scotland bound brisbane via red sea , indian ocean. while on route in mediteranean sea, responded distress signal tugboat jackstay , towed malta. arrived in brisbane on 9 december 1923.

she delivered government of queensland harbours , marine department, whom served pilot boat in moreton bay , buoy tender , lighthouse tender along queensland coast.

in second world war john oxley requisitioned royal australian navy , 20mm oerlikon anti-aircraft gun mounted on stern. returned former duties in 1946, , converted coal oil fuel same year.

john oxley continued serve pilot tender, lighthouse , buoy tender until 1968 when decommissioned. in later years had become increasingly decrepit, such in 1964 seamen s union of australia s journal called rust heap worst living conditions of ship on entire australian coast .