Master boat modeller, David Glasson is also a master of the art of marine rope work and a member of the International Guild of Knot Tyers (IGKT). The beautiful doughnut-shaped fender on the bow of scale model ‘Bronzewing’ (HT501) demonstrates David’s incredible handiwork.

The Royal Australian Navy Bronzewing-Class Harbour Tugs: BRONZEWING (501), CURRAWONG (502), HTS 503, and MOLLYMAWK (504) were built between the 1960s-70s by Sydney-based boat builders, Stannard Brothers.

Artist’s note: on David's workbench behind BRONZEWING is the skeletal model of former Navy general purpose and survey vessel, H.M.A.S. BASS. The model was originally commenced by Mr Rod Grimes, before his death in 2022. The model has since undergone an entire rebuild by David Glasson.

Both Rod Grimes and David Glasson were employed on the full-size BASS in the early 1990s, prior to her eventual sale and conversion to a fishing trawler in 1994.

After sitting abandoned and rusting on the Parramatta River, Sydney for many years, she was towed from the historic Woolwich Dockyard Sydney to Port Macquarie in May 2020 to be converted to scrap.

The Artist has created three additional paintings to commemorate the final journey of the BASS:
1. In the Docks: Workboat ALKIRA, Tug TERALGA & the ex-survey vessel BASS at Woolwich Dockyard;
2. The Escorts: Work Boat ALKIRA, Tug TERALGA, and BASS departing Woolwich Docks;
3. Under Tow: Tug TERALGA, Workboat ALKIRA, & ex-survey BASS passing beneath Sydney Harbour Bridge en route to Port Macquarie, May 2020.

Sources: Bronzewing-class harbour tug (Wikipedia), Standard Bros (Australian National Maritime Museum Historic Register), and HMAS Bass (Sea Power Centre – Australia)