Seamaster
was a 3 ½ hp air-cooled outboard motor first manufactured by the Australian
Marine Engine Company (AMECO) Pty Ltd, of 59 Little Latrobe Street Melbourne
Victoria and noted for its streamlined design, easy starting, smoother and
longer running and splutter free operation.
The
Seamaster is said to have been “designed after years of experimenting under
practical conditions and developed by engineers with experience in every type
of outboard manufacture. The Seamaster was the conception of Australians who
had always stated that Australia could produce an article comparable to that of
foreign makers”.
The
names Trevor Ormsby Neuendorf of Toorak (Manager), Alan Davie Male of Black
Rock (Salesman) and Desmond Firth of St. Kilda (Engineer) appeared in an
application for Certificate of Incorporation lodged with the Registrar General
on 26th of August 1946 and are likely those of the founders of
AMECO.
An
on-line search of digitalized newspapers reveals advertisements for Seamaster
dating back to July 17 1946.
Many
of those earlier advertisements were by distributor partners of AMECO and took
the form of an invitation to inspect and purchase the Seamaster, generally
indicating limited quantities available for immediate purchase (at £74’7’6
including 25% sales tax) and orders booked for delivery in order of priority.
In the absence of any
earlier advertisements or editorials from other Australian outboard
manufacturers, it is not unreasonable for one to speculate that Seamaster may
have been Australia’s very first commercially produced outboard motor. Further
research to establish whether that is indeed the case or not needed.
During
the first half of 1947, AMECO extended its offering through the release of
Seasprite, a 3 ½ hp water-cooled
outboard that shared much of the Seamaster componentry. The Seasprite was
produced in a more open style featuring semi-wrap around fuel tank in lieu of a
full cowl, thus making it lighter and substantially more economical. As a
result, Seasprite became the preferred option particularly amongst anglers who
were the target of most Seasprite advertising campaigns.
An
advertisement in the Courier Mail of Brisbane confirms that by February 1 1950 manufacturing
rights for Seamaster & Seasprite had transferred to A.W.Pryor Brisbane,
Queensland. Thus Seamaster and Seasprite became the very first outboards to be
manufactured in that state.
It
is understood that AMECO had distributed approximately 2000 Seamaster and
Seasprite outboards before the transfer of rights to A.W.Pryor, previously a
distributor partner of the Australian Marine Engine Company.
A.W.Pryor
continued to manufacture Seamaster until the early-mid 50’s and Seasprite in to
the late 50’s and possibly the early 60's. Records suggest improvements to
Seasprite during 1958, hence confirming production continued until at least
then.
A.W.Pryor
was also the sole importer of the British Anzani outboards.
Photos, specifications, highlights and acknowledgements to
follow.
