NEWSLETTER - SEPT. 2013
Greetings, All
We are on the go again, with Tall Ships Hobart 2013 now just a couple of weeks
away. We have a fantastic team of project leaders and volunteers, many of them
having barely caught their breath after the hugely successful 2013 Wooden Boat
Festival in February. It’s great to see so many of the same faces – Michael Bullock as Site & Technical Director,
the energetic John Aalders on site management, Daryl Peebles keeping our media presence on the front
page, the multi-skilled Kelvin Aldred as Volunteers Manager and Tim Oxley presiding over Princes Wharf No.1.
Bronwyn Hansson is at the centre of everything as Office Manager, Ross Barnett is looking after the heritage
boats in Constitution Dock and Michael Goodwin is lining up some great entertainment. Rob Oates, who did
such a great job of wrangling our brilliant photographers at the Festival is back with a plan to cover Tall Ships
in colourful detail. We’re pleased to have some new faces as well – Duncan Bridges joins us as our Social
Media guru, and Roz Wren as Signs and Displays Manager. We’re also grateful for a huge response to our call
for volunteer ground crew – more than 120 Tall Ships volunteers will be helping with everything from ticket
sales to school guides. Chairman Steve Knight and the AWBF volunteer Board contribute from behind the
scenes to keep us all on track for the big event. The big show starts with a welcome fireworks display at 7:30
pm on Friday 20 September and swings into high gear on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. The tall
ships will form up for a spectacular sail past on Wednesday 25 September, saluting His Excellency the
Governor of Tasmania as they depart in company for Sydney and the International Fleet Review. All the
details are on our website and a comprehensive Official Tall Ships Program will make a great souvenir. We
hope to see you at Tall Ships Hobart 2013. There’s nowhere else that will deliver such a close up look at these
wonderful ships – and a great program of exhibitions, music and events, all of them completely free.
- Paul Cullen, General Manager
What is a Tall Ship?
We rely on maritime trade to move goods and materials around the world. Oil from the Middle East, iron
ore to China, vehicles from Japan and liquefied gas to the world - all of this moves by sea in giant ships
powered by oil, coal or even nuclear power. International trade has relied on cargo carrying ships for
centuries and empires have risen and fallen on the strength of their navies. But ships powered by steam and
fossil fuels are a relatively recent invention. For many centuries, we
relied on the power of the wind, harnessed by very large ships
carrying vast spreads of sail. They transported trade goods, explorers, scientists and missionaries to every port in every ocean of the
world. Some of these great wind-driven ships are still with us, as
training vessels for national navies, as floating museums, or for the
sheer adventure of blue-water sailing. When these vessels use
traditional sailing rigs and are worked largely by human strength and
skill, we call them Tall Ships.
As ships grew from simple coastal vessels that used a single sail to
assist when the wind was blowing in the right direction, they became
more powerful, heavier and more technically complex. By the 15th
Century, they had become highly specialised: warships could carry
large guns and trained soldiers, cargo vessels had cavernous holds to
carry goods to and from the new colonies, fast vessels were used to
carry messages and people and light cargoes. Imagine a Chinese
‘treasure ship’ of the 15th Century, more than 400 feet long, crossing
oceans with ease, carrying hundreds of soldiers and traders, or the
deadly ‘man of war’ of the 17th Century European navies, carrying as
many as 100 heavy cannon and capable of destroying whole towns. These ships had no motors; they were
driven entirely by the wind and the methods of doing that were ingenious. There are few areas of human
endeavour that have absorbed as much thinking and clever design as the construction and operation of
these great ships.
By the early 1800s, the invention of the steam engine began to make itself known in ships, particularly
warships. Many European navies fitted the new steam-driven propellers to existing warships, but by 1850,
the French Navy had commissioned the first purpose built steam powered battleship – christened Le
Napoleon. They were not abandoning sail (the ship still carried three fully-rigged masts) but the day was
coming when the new powered ships would overtake the tall ships that required a very large crew of highly
experienced sailors to operate them. Similar trends came to the long-distance cargo ships, although
fully-rigged windjammers were still being built up until the First World War. The second half of the 19th
century was a time of radical advances in ship design and gradually the new propeller driven ships won the
day. They were faster, less reliant on weather and could be operated by a handful of sailors and engineers.
Today, Tall Ships are still with us and some of the largest ever built are still in service. National navies use
them for training cadets in the fundamental skills of deep-water sailing, navigation and naval discipline.
Adventure cruising to remote locations has become a modern industry, with sail-driven ships visiting tiny
atolls in the South Pacific, cruising the inland passage of Alaska, or even the frozen shores of Antarctica.
Young people from many walks of life participate in adventure sailing, learning valuable lessons about
working with a crew, challenging yourself against the natural world and enjoying the thrill of running before
the wind in a stiff breeze at sea.
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Tall Ships Hobart 2013
To celebrate certain special anniversaries it is traditional, in the maritime world, to convene a gathering of great
ships from all corners of the world. When the invitation comes from a national defence force it is known as a Fleet
Review. Such a gathering was seen last when Australia celebrated its bi-centennial in 1988 and the Tall Ships came
to Hobart. The parade of sail in the River Derwent drew thousands to the waterfront to see these beautiful ships,
including the British Government’s handsome birthday gift to Australia – the 239-tonne brigantine Young
Endeavour. Another great anniversary is approaching - the centenary of the Royal Australian Navy’s first entry
into Sydney Harbour in October 1913. In the run-up to this very large event the fleet will visit a handful of other
ports with strong maritime traditions. In September 2013, a great procession of sails will be seen in the Derwent
as the Tall Ships come to Hobart once more.
Tall Ships Hobart 2013 will be produced and managed by the same organisation that has successfully produced
the Australian Wooden Boat Festival for the last 20 years – AWBF Inc. This is a not-for-profit entity specifically
created to manage large-scale maritime events. The five-day Tall Ships program will include ship tours, special
sailings, exhibitions and activities in Princes Wharf One, entertainment, a Grand Parade, fine Tasmanian food and
wines, a Tasmanian schools program and much more. We are very pleased to have our partners TasPorts, Events
Tasmania, WIN Television, The Mercury and Hobart City Council strongly supporting this event so that we can
extend a warm welcome to our visitors from the whole Tasmanian community.
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OOSTERSCHELDE
The three-masted topsail schooner Oosterschelde is a large restored
Dutch sailing ship, said to be the last remaining representative of the
large fleet of schooners that sailed under the Dutch flag at the
beginning of the 20th century. Oosterschelde has made several
impressive journeys since her restoration in 1992. This is her second
circumnavigation and she has made frequent visits to Antarctica. The
ship was re-launched after an extensive restoration in 1992 by Her
Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands .
YOUNG ENDEAVOUR
This beautiful 144-foot brigantine was the handsome gift of the
British Government to Australia on the occasion of our 200th
birthday in 1988. The ship is maintained and sailed by the Royal
Australian Navy and operates the Young Endeavour Youth
Scheme. The program is designed to provide sail training for
Australian youth 16-23 and regularly carries 24 youth crew on
sailing adventures to all major Australian ports. The scheme has
seen more than 11,000 participants over the past 25 years.
SOREN LARSEN
The 145-foot Danish built barquentine Soren Larsen will look oddly
familiar to fans of the 1970s BBC drama series The Onedin Line. The
ship featured prominently in that series and went on to appear in other
films, including The French Lieutenant's Woman, The Count of Monte
Cristo and Shackleton. Invited to be the Flagship for the Australian
Bicentenary re-enactment voyage of the First Fleet, the ship led a fleet
of eight tall ships on a 22,000 mile voyage from England to Australia,
arriving to a tumultuous welcome in Sydney in January 1988. The ship is
now based in Sydney and regularly tours the South Pacific.
WINDEWARD BOUND
Hobart is home port for the two-masted brigantine which was built
here over five years, between 1990 and 1995 and launched in 1996. The
ship is under the command of Captain Sarah Parry, who has trained no
less than 22 Ship’s Masters over the past 17 years. A circumnavigation
of Australia in 2002-2003 celebrated the bicentenary of Matthew
Flinder’s first charting of the whole coast of Australia. The ship
operates sail training and adventure tours for disadvantaged youth and
others who could not ordinarily afford it.
STOP PRESS:
Windeward Bound still has a few berths available for the Melbourne to
Hobart voyage departing 14 September and sailing in company with the
fleet of tall ships to arrive in style on Friday 20 September. The youth
fare (18-24 years inclusive) is reduced to $1100, but be very quick to
book. Call 0418 120 399. This fare does not include air travel to
Melbourne.
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TECLA
Tecla was built in 1915 in Vlaardingen in The Netherlands. She
is owned and sailed by a family of four professional sailors,
who have owned the ship since 2006 and sail her with passion.
The Tecla is a fast boat, built for the North Sea. Her rigging is
traditional: a two masted ketch with topsails and foresails of
different sizes for light weather. The appearance of the Tecla
is also kept as traditional as possible. Her crew knows how to
combine this with modern techniques and equipment.
This is her first visit to Australia.
EUROPA
Built in 1911, the 183-foot Europa is the largest ship in the fleet
visiting Hobart. Since 1994 the Dutch three-masted bark has
travelled the oceans following the trade winds and developed a
reputation as a ship which really sails. The Europa is powered by
canvas and co-operation, with a professional crew of 14 and up
to 48 voyage crew-members of all ages and nationalities. Tall
ship lovers, with or without seafaring experience, help the
permanent crew by taking the helm, assisting with navigation,
hoisting and furling square sails aloft on the yards.
LADY NELSON
The Lady Nelson calls Hobart home, where she is operated by an
all-volunteer crew. The ship is a replica of the 1798 vessel of the
same name. She is classed as a brig, a small inshore vessel
designed to sail into shallow channels and estuaries. The original
ship had an ingenious triple keel which allowed it to navigate in
just six feet of water. The replica was built in Hobart between
1987 and 1988 as a Bicentennial project, using Tasmanian blue
gum and celery top pine. She carries traditional square sails on
two masts, jib sails rigged from the bowsprit and a large
‘spanker’ when under full sail.
LORD NELSON
The sail training ship Lord Nelson was designed specifically to
make it possible for people with disabilities to enjoy the
experience of blue-water sailing on a traditionally rigged tall
ship. Work began in 1984, commissioned by the charitable
Jubilee Sailing Trust in the UK. The build was plagued by
industrial disputes and liquidations, but was finally completed
two years later in Southampton. Lord Nelson is a square-rigged,
three-masted barque. The unique adaptations include a Braille
compass and wheelchair lifts between decks.
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TALL SHIPS HOBART 2013 PROGRAM
FRIDAY 20 SEPTEMBER
Stand by for action as the Tall Ships begin to arrive from mid-morning, sailing up the Derwent bound for Sullivans Cove. Wind
and tides make it impossible to give an exact time, and of course there are several ships coming from different directions.
Expect all ships to be safely in port by sunset. You are welcome to come down to the docks to have a look, but the ships will
not be open for inspection this evening. You can enjoy a ’Welcome to Hobart’ fireworks display from 7:30 pm. The Regatta
Grounds make a great place to watch, but there are good views from anywhere on the waterfront. There are no gates and no
entry fees – it’s all free.
SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER
Come and see the Tall Ships, visit some fascinating displays in Princes Wharf No.1 and grab a bite to eat as you enjoy day-long
entertainment at Tall Ships Hobart. Visit Parliament House Lawns for the Maritime Games – a light-hearted challenge between
local teams and visiting sailors, with a traditional Tug O’ War and a hilarious obstacle course. (11:00 am – 2:00 pm) Enjoy lunch
or dinner in PW1with a glass of fine Tasmanian wine or cider – food and beverage stalls are open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. If
you would like to climb aboard the Tall Ships, pick up a Ships Passport at the ticket office in PW1, which gives you access to all
the visiting ships. Adults $20, children $10. (Note: there are no individual admission charges – you will need a Ships Passport to
board any vessel).
SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER
It’s another open day at Tall Ships Hobart, with activities and exhibitions for the whole family and great food and drink in Princes
Wharf No.1, open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Take your place for the Grand Parade, starting at 1:00 pm in Hunter Street. Our
pipe bands, samba dancers, Sea Scouts and visiting ships companies will march south along Davey Street, passing the Tasmanian
Museum and Art Gallery and turning down Murray Street into Parliament House Lawns for a brilliant concert by the Royal
Australian Navy Band from 2:00 pm. Admission is free, so bring a blanket and take your place. Remember, if you want to board
any of the visiting Tall Ships, you’ll need to pick up a Ships Passport from the ticket office in Princes Wharf No.1. Your Ships
Passport entitles you to one free entry to each visiting ship and you can use it on any day from Saturday to Tuesday.
MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER
Princes Wharf exhibits and food and beverage stalls are open again from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, so slip down in your lunch hour
to visit a Tall Ship and catch a bite to eat. The Tall Ships Schools Program will see hundreds of Tasmanian school children,
accompanied by their parents and teachers, visit the waterfront between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Drop in after work for a drink
and a sensational show from Hobart’s hardest working jazz-and-blues band, Billy Whitton and the Hepcats.(5:00 to 8:00 pm).
The Tall Ships are open for inspection all day. Looking for a great Christmas idea for your ship-mad friends? Pick up the new
Australian Wooden Boat Festival Calendar at the AWBF stand in Prince Wharf No.1.
TUESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER
Last chance to see the Tall Ships in harbour as they prepare for the next leg of their journey – the 630 nautical mile (1,170 km)
trip across the Bass Strait and on to Sydney for the International Fleet Review, 3-11 October. The Tall Ships are still open for
inspection, but expect them to be preparing for sea and closing a little early this evening. Don’t miss the brilliant display of
Tasmanian Heritage Vessels in Constitution Dock, including some 100-year veterans. You can see great exhibits and enjoy
something to eat or drink in Princes Wharf No.1 from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, with another great set from Billy Whitton and the
Hepcats from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
WEDNESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER – DEPARTURE DAY
Join us on the Hobart waterfront to farewell the officers and crew of the Tall Ships departing in company for Sydney. Enjoy a
free breakfast for all at the Waterside Pavilion in Mawson Place from 7:00am to 9:00am. View the Parade of Sail from 11:00am
as it forms below the Tasman Bridge and goes to sea. Best vantage points: The Hobart Regatta Grounds, Bellerive Bluff,
Alexandra Battery, Wrest Point Casino, Sandy Bay, Mount Nelson Signal Station. Tall Ships Hobart 2013 – don’t miss a thing!
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Tasmanian Heritage Vessels
Constitution Dock comes alive with a wonderful display of
Tasmanian heritage vessels during Tall Ships Hobart 2013. Come
along and see a remarkable collection of some of Tasmania’s
oldest and best-known boats. There are several 100-year veterans among them and you’ll have the chance to board and travel
with Egeria, Preana and Admiral for short harbour cruises. If you
live on the Eastern Shore, leave the car behind and take a water
taxi from Bellerive straight into the heart of the action. Special
schedules run throughout the weekend. For a really spectacular
view, book a flight on the Tasmanian Air Adventures sea plane
and have your camera ready!
Just to get you started, let’s see how well you know your
Tasmanian boats. Can you sort out which one is which from
this jumbled list?
All photos © and used with the permission of the owners
Britannia
Preana
Moby Dick
Sirocco
Admiral
Mil
Elf
Westward
Egeria
Saona
Olive May
Daisey Cutter
Terra Linna
Gypsy
Malanna
Rhona H
Kelpie
Vanity
Probably Tasmania’s best-known heritage vessel, the
100 year-old passenger ferry Cartela (right), soon to
undergo a major restoration to refit her original steam
engine and return her to her former glory.
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SHIPS PASSPORT
Don’t miss a chance to get aboard our visiting Tall Ships
for a rare glimpse of life at sea on an ocean-going windjammer. You’ll learn the ropes, man the wheel and talk
to members of the ship’s crew for a unique insight into
the lure of the open sea. Whether you’re planning that
bucket-list adventure or interested in sail training courses for young people, this is your best opportunity to learn
more. Some of our visiting ships have come half way
around the world to visit us and we want to help them on
their way. All proceeds from the sale of Ships Passports
are shared among the ships to cover the steep costs
involved in maintaining them. Your Ships Passport entitles you to one free entry to each of the available ships,
and you can use it on more than one day. Ships Passports
are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12. Collect
a passport stamp at each of the visiting ships for a wonderful souvenir of the event. There are no individual ship
entry fees – you must have a Ships Passport to board any
of the participating ships. Pick yours up from the ticket
office just inside Princes Wharf No.1.
ENTERTAINMENT
HANG ON TO THAT PASSPORT
Look out for excellent discounts from waterfront
businesses in Sullivans Cove (T42, Fish Frenzy), The
Lark Distillery (free tastings) and Salamanca cafes,
shops, restaurants and bars. Ask at the ticket counter for the latest offers.
We’ve got plenty to keep your foot tapping and your hands clapping at Tall Ships Hobart, with some of
Tasmania’s best street performers, salty sea shanties, cool jazz and the rockin’est Navy Band you’ve ever
heard on stage. Here are some highlights:
Hear some great choral performance from the Sisongke Choir on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am.
They are one of Hobart’s best-known community choirs, along with the Tasmanian Grass Roots Union
Choir. Get plucking with the Hobart Old Time String Band on stage in Parliament House Lawns . Three
schoolboys, with percussion, guitar and vocals make up the Rising Sons, a surprise hit at the Australian
Wooden Boat Festival earlier this year. The Rag Dolls dish up piano and washboard honky tonk ragtime
and the Jolly Hatters Morris Dancers will be a-jingling around the site as well. Dave Elliston on piano
accordion, Peter Hicks Duo on guitar and fiddle and Sea Shanty round out the wandering minstrels.
The big bands come out to play on Sunday for the Grand Parade, from Hunter Street to Parliament
House Lawns, starting from 1:00 pm. The massed band of the Tasmanian Pipe Bands Association will
be skirling the pipes and pounding the drums along Davey Street in full regalia. Contrast that with the
madly energetic samba percussion of the Batacada Samba Band for some real fun, then watch the
marching band of the Royal Australian Navy Band (Tasmania) and the band of the Tasmanian Sea
Cadets deliver the musical background for a parade of the visiting Tall Ships crews . Don’t miss this
exciting treat – grab your place along the parade route early (the harbour side of Davey Street will be
prime viewing area), then follow it to Parliament House Lawns for a brilliant concert in the park by the
popular RAN Tasmania Rock Band. These guys are consistently the biggest crowd-pullers at every
Australian Wooden Boat Festival and they’ll have you dancing in no time. Get into some sophisticated
bluesy jazz with Billy Whitton and the Hepcats appearing in Princes Wharf No.1 for two free concerts
on Monday and Tuesday nights from 5:00 - 8:00 pm.
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The Australian
Wooden Boat
Festival Calendar
The MyState Australian Wooden Boat Festival 2013 was a wonderfully colourful and exciting event, and also achieved the best
photographic record we’ve seen in years.
Our hard-working volunteers from the Hobart Photographic Society did a brilliant job
of capturing the best images from all over
the site. Professional photographers Joe
Shemesh and Doug Thost added the aerial
and moving images and dozens of friends
and supporters also contributed great pictures. We’ve hand-picked more than a dozen of the very best to create a beautiful full
colour AWBF calendar, just in time for Christmas giving. The calendar will be released at
Tall Ships Hobart 2013. Look for it at the
AWBF merchandise stall in Princes Wharf
No.1, where you can also pick up vintage
posters, badged clothing, caps, pens and other AWBF paraphernalia. Calendars are just
$20.00 and will make a brilliant Christmas
present for the boat-lover in your family.
From top - Daybreak over the Elizabeth Street Pier (Laki
Anagnostis), classic power boat Marguerite (Rob Oates),
Deck watch on the James Craig (Mike Calder).
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Exhibitors
At Tall Ships Hobart 2013, Princes Wharf No.1
Shed is the venue for some fascinating displays
and exhibits on a maritime theme, demonstrating the key role that the Port of Hobart has
played and continues to play in the Tasmanian
community. You can learn about the history of
the Australian Antarctic Division and its oceangoing support for Australia’s Antarctic stations.
Check out modern marine safety in recreational
boating with officers from Marine and Safety
Tasmania. Lighthouses have always played a key role for mariners and Tasmania’s lighthouse
heritage is actively protected by Friends of Maatsuyker and Tasman Island – stop in to see
them and catch a glimpse of life on these lonely outposts in the Southern Ocean. The Woodbridge Marine Discovery Centre offers students a fascinating look at marine research, still an
important part of Tasmania’s scientific leadership on ocean studies. Check the significant collections held by the Maritime Museum of Tasmania for a rich trove of Tasmanian history and
be sure to visit the Wooden Boat Guild of Tasmania for a look at the continuing legacy of Tasmanian boat-building skills. It wouldn’t be a party, of course, without the Royal Australian Navy and we’re delighted to have them with us for Tall Ships Hobart 2013.
The Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council represents the Tasmanian fishing community which
contributes so much to our economy and our history. Award-winning Tasmanian manufacturer Stormy Seas Australia demonstrates the latest in life-saving technology and John Sutcliffe’s
excellent display of Tasmanian Specialty Timbers traces the history of Tasmania’s rich boatbuilding heritage and the extraordinarily hard work that built a vibrant industry in the early
days of the colony. Catch a demonstration of instant messaging before Facebook with our veteran Semaphore Display and trace some of Tasmania’s earliest history along the Huon Trail.
And just for fun, don’t miss our fabulous 1882 Steam Carousel in the PW1 forecourt. It’s the
real thing and the last operating steam-driven carousel in Tasmania.
Princes Wharf No.1 exhibits are open from 10:00 am - 8:00 pm daily
from Saturday 21 Sept. to Tuesday 24 Sept.
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Tall Ships Hobart 2013 is produced by Australian Wooden Boat Festival, Inc. with major
funding from the Tasmanian State Government through Events Tasmania. We thank
our principal sponsors for generous assistance with presenting this public event for the
pleasure of the Tasmanian community and our welcome guests.
www.australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au
International Fleet Review
Tall Ships Hobart is part of a larger celebration – the 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy’s first
entrance into Sydney Harbour in 1913, on the eve of the First World War. The Navy extended an invitation
to scores of international forces, to assemble in Sydney to help celebrate the occasion. A fleet of more than
60 warships and Tall Ships will converge on Sydney from 3-11 October. Details are on the special website:
www.tallshipfestival2013.com
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OFF CU
TS
Rediscover (
) Bruny Island
Masterpiece Gallery in the IXL courtyard off Hunter
Street will have a special assortment of maritime antiques on display during Tall Ships Hobart, including
maritime paintings in oil and watercolour from colonial
to contemporary times, scrimshaw, model ships including Cutty Sark and The Unicorn; a half model of the
SS Reemere; an antique sextant and other maritime
items. 19a Hunter Street. Phone 6231 3058.
18th -24th September 2013
Salamanca Arts Centre
Bruny Island has a permanent population of approximately 700 people, 100 of whom are directly involved
with Rediscover The Arts on Bruny Island. While
this event showcases many artistic talents from our
island, it is only representative of the breadth and
depth of artistic talent residing on this small island,
off an island, at the bottom of the world. Enquiries
contact [email protected] or phone Megan
Weston (03) 6293 1015
Sharpie wanted for restoration.
I am a shipwright with a sentimental attachment to the old Gunter rigged 12 square
metre (Heavyweight) Sharpie Class sail boat and have recently given thoughts to
hopefully restore an old one or maybe even build a new one. I am interested in
boats of any condition, complete or hull only. Preferably in Tasmania but would
consider travelling interstate to view the right boat. Contact:
Gordon Stewart mobile: 0408 494607. Email: [email protected]
Antarctic Volunteers Needed
If you have been down South in
the last 50 years, especially if
you travelled on the Nella Dan,
we’d like to talk to you. We’ll be
exhibiting a rarely seen 3.5m
scale model of the longest serving ANARE ship in Princes
Wharf No.1, courtesy of the Australian Antarctic Division. If you
would like to help tell her story,
please call the AWBF office on
6223 3375.
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