From 1930, when the first family arrived, till 1950, Fingal Bay was peaceful, out of the way.
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A gathering of weekenders, holiday shacks and very few permanent residents.
The only sounds that could be heard were the birds in the trees, the clucking of Jack Barry's free-range chickens and the waves breaking along the beach.
One morning a frightening, roaring sound that startled the sleepy community.
"What is that? It is on the beach next to the fresh-water creek".
Those in Fingal, at the time, were alarmed and startled.
The source of the unholy racket was found, "Clatterbang".
Not since the first car, a 1913 Buick, rolled along the sandy track into Fingal in 1932 had the tiny hamlet experienced such a deafening noise. This was different, it was on the water.
Closer investigation revealed that a young fisherman Ken Barry had saved up £90 to purchase his first boat, "Clatterbang", a 16 footer with a 6hp Clay engine. The first motorboat in Fingal Bay.
Ken recalls the time when the engine first kicked over.
Smoke poured from the motor and everything shook.
All the birds, including his father's chooks, panicked - such was the commotion.
Fingal was never the same.
- If you've got a picture from Port Stephens' past, you can email it to stinkerfishing@yahoo.com with your contact number and details about your catch.
