Federation-era yachts will gather on Sydney Harbour waters again, including some nearly 140 years old and an Edwardian steam yacht.
The Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney Amateur Sailing Club and Wooden Boat Association of NSW are gathering 13 sailing centurions to show to the public.
All of the vessels are more than 100 years old and they will form the Century-Old Fleet display from October 1-11 at the museum’s Heritage Pontoon.
Daryl Karp is director and chief executive officer of the Museum.
“This display is a tribute to the enduring spirit of Sydney’s sailing community,” she says.
“Each vessel tells a story of craftsmanship, resilience, and the joy of life on the water.”
FEDERATION SURVIVORS
The featured vessels are:
- SY Ena (built 1900, pre-Federation): A restored Edwardian steam yacht once used for naval patrols, fishing, and harbour leisure trips.
- Hoana (1925): A gaff-rigged sloop built by James Hayes & Sons, renowned for its circumnavigation and racing pedigree with the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club.
- Jenny Wren (1889, pre-Federation): One of the oldest racing yachts in Australia, designed by Walter Reeks and built by Thomas Cubitt.
- Utiekah II(1911): Commissioned for voyages by Melbourne Grammar students and later owned by Harold Nossiter, the first Australian to circumnavigate the globe in a yacht.
- Sao(1905): Built by WM Ford Boatbuilders, this deep-keeled yacht was once sailed by aviator Charles Kingsford Smith who was the first to fly across the Pacific.
- Maritimo-Katwinchar(1904): A restored racing yacht that has competed in the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race and recently returned to competitive sailing.
- Akarana(1888): a deep, narrow, heavily ballasted racing yacht built in Auckland and subsequently rebuilt before being given by NZ to Australia as a bicentennial gift in 1988.
The Athene, Florrie, Oenone, Benno, Sea Rover and Ventura will also take part.
From October 1-6, displays and events will educate the public on the work involved in preserving and maintaining century-old vessels; this includes caulking and varnishing demonstrations, rope tying and splicing workshops.
Entry is free, the museum says. Access is open from September 30 to October 11, from 9.30am-5pm.
(The previous colony states of Australia became federated into a country on January 1, 1901. Click here to read more about it)
For more details, visit Century-old Fleet | Australian National Maritime Museum.
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