Ernie Pitts began building model ships nearly 60 years ago as a way to cut back on drinking — a decision that outlasted his desire for alcohol and turned into a lifelong passion.
“I started in 1966 or 1967, working offshore on oil rigs in the North Sea. We’d work a week on, then have a week off — and I was spending too much of that time at the pub,” said the 85-year-old Gladstone local.
Now a dedicated volunteer at the Gladstone Maritime Museum in Central Queensland, Mr Pitts has donated a collection of meticulously crafted and historically accurate ship models, many of which are closely tied to the region’s maritime heritage.
Crafting Ships from Scratch
Mr Pitts, who was born in England’s Great Yarmouth Port and served in the navy, taught himself how to build model ships through trial and error. Rather than relying on kits, most of his work is built entirely from scratch.
“If you can get your hands on plans, that’s great — but even if not, you can use photos, illustrations, and books to figure it out,” he explained.
His passion for the sea naturally drew him to model shipbuilding, a craft that requires immense patience and an eye for detail.
A Shared Passion
Pitts met Nina Park in 1998 while volunteering at the maritime museum. A year later, she moved in with him. They connected over the model ships, with Ms Park — an experienced sewer — helping sew sails for his creations.
“I’ve always loved sewing, and since I’ve got an eye for detail like Ernie, it made sense for me to handle the sails,” she said.
Now treasurer of the museum, Ms Park said visitors are often in awe of the intricacy of Mr Pitts’s work.
“Most people say, ‘I could never have the patience for that,’ but Ernie really does,” she said. “He has the ability to focus in a way not many people can.”
Honouring Local History
Many of Mr Pitts’s models are important pieces of Gladstone’s maritime past. One of his favourites, the SS Premier, took him around 600 hours to build. The paddle steamer once ran between Gladstone and Rockhampton, connecting the cities before the railway line extended beyond Gladstone.
Gladstone Maritime History Society vice-president Ian Griffiths praised Mr Pitts’s contribution.
“We’re incredibly proud of the models, and Ernie has played a major role in creating them,” Mr Griffiths said. “We’re very thankful — his work has been a huge asset to the museum.”
Slowing Down, But Still Creating
Though he’s recently stopped taking on large-scale projects due to vision issues, Mr Pitts still keeps busy with smaller tasks. “I’m refurbishing a half model at home at the moment — just something simple,” he said.
Despite decades of dedication, he noted that the tools and process haven’t changed much over time. “The glues have improved a bit, but really, it’s still just saws and sandpaper,” he said with a smile.
When asked what the best part of shipbuilding is, he laughed and said, “Finishing them.”
