By next Easter she will probably be in pieces somewhere as a heap of rotted timber.

The Rowitta, which has served as a display vessel and functions venue at the Warrnambool foreshore tourist venue for almost four decades, is too fragile for further use.

She will be lifted out of the village harbour early next year and her innards, including lead ballast from the Loch Ard shipwreck, retrieved.

In the meantime, advisory signs and fencing have been set up to keep people away for their own safety.

“The only original parts left of the vessel are below the waterline, and it is so fragile you can poke a finger through the timber,” said Flagstaff Hill manager Peter Abbott.

“We’ve already stripped a lot off and her engine and wheelhouse are in a Launceston museum.

“It’s a decision we didn’t make lightly as there is a sentimental link for many people who have enjoyed weddings and other functions on the Rowitta.”

Her place in the harbour will be rearranged under a $2.95 million revamp which also includes new day and night sound and light entertainment equipment, site access improvements and rearrangement of the entrance area, gift shop and visitor information centre.

The three other craft at the village which are on the Australian registry of historic wooden vessels — the Reginald M, Viator and Warrnambool lifeboat — will be rejuvenated.

Rowitta was built in 1909 in Hobart. 

She arrived at Flagstaff Hill by truck in 1975 after a varied life which included roles as a cargo/passenger steamer on the Tamar and Derwent in Tasmania, a luxury charter vessel, army supply ship, abalone mother ship, restaurant at Lakes Entrance and once was proposed for a floating casino in Sydney.

She began as the Rowitta, became the Tarkarri, Sorrento and Speculant before being renamed Rowitta in Warrnambool.