John Wright and Son Shipyards
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipbuilding |
| Founded | 1875 |
| Founder | John Wright |
| Defunct | 1958 |
| Fate | Ceased operations and property returned to the crown |
| Headquarters | Tuncurry , Australia |
Area served | North Coast region, Australia |
| Products | Ships, tugs, lighters, yachts, launches |
John Wright and Son was a shipbuilding company located in Tuncurry, Australia, that operated between 1875 and 1958.
Before establishing the Tuncurry shipyard, John Wright collaborated with Alexander Croll to construct at least three vessels at Bungwahl. Subsequently, he sold his interest in the sawmill and shipwright enterprise situated at Myall Lakes. In 1875, Wright became the inaugural European settler of the area now known as Tuncurry. He obtained a 99-year lease on waterfront property and proceeded to develop a timber mill, shipyard, slipway, along with associated infrastructure.
The premises featured a 50-foot wharf equipped with a receiving shed and a skin shed designated for storing cattle hides intended for shipment to Sydney.
Vessels
The initial vessel constructed by Wright at Tuncurry was the "Stanley," which carried timber shipments to Sydney and returned laden with assorted cargo. This was followed by the first vessel named Tuncurry.
The shipyard went on to build multiple ships servicing the North Coast region, including the Bellinger, Tuncurry II, Our Jack, and Comboyne.
After John Wright’s passing in 1910, his son Ernest took over the business, continuing ship production with vessels such as the Narani, Wallamba, Glenreagh, Allenwood, Nambucca 1, Nambucca 2, and Uralba. The yard also specialized in constructing smaller craft including tugs, lighters, yachts, and launches. The company was subsequently renamed E. Wright & Son.
Fate
During the 1950s, the enterprise became financially unsustainable. With the expiration of the 99-year lease approaching, John Wright Jr. decided to cease operations and relinquish the property back to the crown. By 1960, all buildings on the site had been dismantled. In February 2018, the last vessel built by Wright—the 'US Army WT85' - 'Protrude'/'Koolya'—sank while moored in Gosford.
The former waterfront location of the mill and shipyard at Tuncurry was transformed into a public recreational area and named John Wright Park in 1962.