Friday, March 29, 2013

35. CAPTAIN WALLY MULLER




Captain W.G. Muller was an admirer of the navigational skills of Matthew Flinders, and followed in his wake aboard the three vessels he owned.  Riversong (1951? to 1967), Careelah (1967-1969), Coralita (1969-1990), a scuba  charter boat.
Powerful movie light for finding rare live sea shells at night.
Wally and youngest son, Alexander Muller 


The starfish plague "two reefs east of Mystery Cay - The Swain Reefs".


Youngest son, Alexander Muller was to accept his father's entry into the International skindivers hall of fame, Cayman Islands 2016.


Roy  Muller


Careelah was Wally's first charter boat after his beloved 'Riversong".

M/V 'CAREELAH' (means Southwind)
(Originally M/V Norman R.Wright)

66 feet  15 foot beam
Built in 1949
120 HP Cat.
Harwood bottom
Huon Pine  waterline to deck
Deck was Beech





In the 1960s it was very unusual for a pro fisherman to learn to spear fish underwater.  Most were too wary of the sharks hazard.  Wally in The Swain Reefs 1967.


Famous picture by Ben Cropp in 1961.  Tiger shark caught by Wally Muller in The Swain Reefs. Diver is deckhand Ron Zangari who used a barb free spear to demonstrate penetration.


T-shirt for crew member with "The Deep" *(above) -  Hollywood required shark scenes for their movies and Wally Muller had experience as to where to find lots of Grey Reef whaler sharks - Marion Reef in The Coral Sera.  Other film producers and cameramen followed. 'Sharks Treasure' with producer-actor Cornel Wilde.   


Alexander (aka 'Boo') and Roy Muller - sons of Wally Muller














CHESTERFIELD REEF EXPEDITION (1971) Fathom

Chesterfield Reef (1971)

Monday, January 21, 2013

34. DUGONG UNDERWATER

Hunted throughout Cape York and the subject of alleged corrupt sales  © John Harding

ABOUT DUGONG

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

33. PIXIE PINNACLE AREA (East of Cooktown).

This bommie  has many scuba visitors  resulting in accidental damages on a small scale that is significant over time.





 Temple of Doom (collage - 2 pictures)

At Pixie bommie

Spirobranchus the Christmas Tree worm
Camera used was Nikonos with 80mm lens.
Underwater model Chrissie Craker


32. LIZARD ISLAND 1967 and TODAY

Sea pen is a rare creature - most have been destroyed by prawn trawler nets scraping the bottom.
 View looking south east from Captain Cook's lookout.
 LIZARD ISLAND NATIONAL PARK




"Queen of the Isles" arriving Lizard Island circa 1990





Low tide  Ribbon Reefs, south of Lizard Island, not a tourist boat in sight.
Old boat, good trip with a chance to get off at Lizard Island and resume the journey the following week.
(No longer available)

PICTURES: Queen of the Isles ship




31. NORTHERN CAPE YORK AREA

Travel far enough up Olive River in a small boat and you'll see some rare freshwater palms on the bank.
 Olive River


Mango tree's in the main street, Thursday Island.
Bamaga Jetty

Tern Island near the tip of Cape York had bush almost impenetrable.

Offshore reef with clear water

Shelbourne Bay

White sands of Shelbourne Bay

View from hill on Thursday Island looking toward mainland

View on Thursday Island from Rosie Gallery

SOLOMON ISLANDS SALVAGE - Wally Gibbins