It was this English verse that helped coin the term the "butcher's boat".

In their heyday, butcher boats were used in Newcastle in the 19th century, before the emergence of motor boats.

The small boats would be loaded with supplies and rowed out to meet the bigger boats.

A butcher boat was crewed by two rowers, with the skipper sitting in the stern manning a rudder.

The boats would also often broker deals for local butchers.

Coal Point resident Noel Heslop owns a butcher's boat named Tokelau.

It is made from Australian cedar, Spotted Gum and tea trees from the Myall Lakes.

In the 21st century Tokelau was used by its previous owner to transport a lawn mower across Lake Macquarie.

John Smith would row the boat from Coal Point to a small clearing across the other side of the lake between Eleebana and Croudace Bay.

People would drop anchor at the site for picnic lunches.

The historic 1948 wooden boat, along with dozens of others, will be on display as part of the annual Lake Macquarie Classic Boatfest at Toronto.

Like many of the boats on display, Tokelau has a long history on Lake Macquarie.

¦ Go to classicboatfest.com.au for information.