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News & Events - Tasmania & SA
The Cup Regatta is fast approaching with a format based on last years highly sucessful series. Friday 29th October will see the second ever running of the Guineas Cup between Classic Yachts and Couta Boats. Saturday sailing will be a passage race around the Northern Port Phillip Yacht Clubs, Sunday will be two short laid courses, and on Monday we will finish the regatta with a pursuit race followed by the seafood BBQ for which we are becoming famous! The Kiwi contingent has already booked their tickets. NOR and Entry forms out shortly.
For general enquiries contact Peter lloyd. pwalloyd@netcon.net.au
Prince Philip Puts In Plea for City of Adelaide Clipper
In a rare radio interview, recorded to mark the 40th anniversary of the rescue of Brunel’s SS Great Britain, now a major tourist attraction in the dock where she was built in Bristol, the Duke of Edinburgh focussed attention on the clipper ship City of Adelaide, still abandoned on a slipway in Scotland.
Asked about the problems of raising funds for ship preservation, Prince Philip said “As long as I’ve been alive there’s never been a good moment to raise money,” and added: “We’ve still got a horrendous problem with the City of Adelaide, which belongs to the Scottish Maritime Museum, but it’s caught in a sort of trap and a timewarp… it’s now become a listed building but they can’t raise the money to do anything with it. I think it’s a great pity.”
The interview with Prince Philip was broadcast on Radio 4’s Sunday-morning Broadcasting House programme, and is available on BBCi-player. SS Great Britain was rescued from the Falkland Islands, and towed back to the UK, arriving in Bristol this day, 5 July, in 1970.
Gavin Pascoe writes from New Zealand…..
I have a 23 footer in NZ designed by Roydon Thomas called Shemara. see http://shemara.blogspot.com
She has a sister which was sold to Australia, (I think South Australia) and would like to get in contact with the current owners as I plan to write an article about the Designer.
Shemara was the first to be built in Wellington 1958, and I think her sister (originally named “Gazelle”, then possibly later “Reefer”) followed within a year or two. Shemara was built of NZ kauri, and Gazelle of cedar.
If any one can help with information contact.
Thomas André writes…
Please, find attached the program of our classic event, that will take place in Ajaccio, Corsica, from the 24th of may to the 30th may 2010. The Event will close on 30th of may with the start of the “Yacht Club de France Spring Cup”, the first CIM cruiser race of the year Ajaccio-Antibes. We expect an exceptional meeting as 42 classic yachts are already registered and with the coming of “big boats” like Mariska the sistership of Tuiga (W. Fife), Moonbeam of Fife vs Moonbeam IV and many visitors coming from all over the world, as the “Roaring Forty” Rowdy (Herresoff NYYC class 40), Samarkand from Germany. Registration is open to any yacht owner in the Epoch, Classic and Spirit of Tradition categories. Of course, all impassioned sailors who wish to join the Régates Impériales will receive a friendly welcome.
The Australian campaign to adopt the clipper ship City of Adelaide has gained momentum with a visit to the UK by two leading members of the group. Peter Roberts and Tom Chapman came over with the intention of “eyeballing” the ship itself – they got no further than the rusting barbed-wire fence – and the various bodies involved its its fate, where they were much more successful.
The passion behind the South Australian campaign is evident – it is founded on the City of Adelaide’s original role of carrying emigrants from the UK and Europe to the new territory in the late 19th century – over 250,000 South Australians, or one in five of the population, can trace their ancestry back to, or through the ship. But the campaign also appears well-resourced in terms both of capability (both Roberts and Chapman have engineering backgrounds for instance) and state and private support.
They have costed the logistics of moving the ship at around £1.5 million, with the cost of transport to Australia, at about £700,000, less than that of getting the City of Adelaide off the slip and out of the river in Irvine. They already have about half of that, and are “ready to launch a major fundraising programme once we have control of the ship.”
A prime site in Adelaide has already been earmarked for a display area which would also include the preserved 1883 tug Nelcebee, built in Scotland and shipped out to provide services to the clippers, including City of Adelaide.
Pressure to resolve the City of Adelaide’s situation has intensified with the demand from the owners of the slip where she sits for the return of the site. Scottish Maritime Museum, current owner of the ship, recently called for tenders to ’scientifically desconstruct’ her. However, Martyn Heighton of National Historic Ships has confirmed that none of the tenders to deconstruct the ship met its criteria, and it will oppose any application for demolition. It is shortly due to to evaluate proposals, from both the Sunderland and South Australian campaigns. If the City of Adelaide is to leave the UK it would be subject to an export licence, unless declared to be of no value.
Entries for the 174th Australia Day Regatta close today with the Sailing Office at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, with regatta organisers expecting up to 140 yachts and skiffs to compete in the historic Sydney Harbour event and in the traditional short ocean race to Botany Bay and return.
The Australia Day Regatta will be sailed on the harbour from 1.30pm on Australia, next Tuesday, 26 January while the ocean race will start at 11am with the fleet heading down the coast to Botany Bay.
Casual entries are also being received by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia for the Botany Bay Race, which is part of the club’s Ocean Point Score, the Grant Thornton Short Ocean Point Score, with the Grant Thornton Short Haul (non-spinnaker) fleet also joining the race this year.
A feature of the harbour regatta will be the emphasis on the early days of yacht racing in Sydney, with up to 30 original or replica ‘old-timers’ taking part in the Gaff-Riggers, Classic Yachts and Historical Skiffs divisions.
Among entries for the classic yacht division are 1966 Sydney Hobart Race line honours winner Fidelis, now owned by Nigel Stoke, and the 8-metre class yacht Erica J, owned by Les Goodridge. Erica J last year celebrated her 60th anniversary and a career that included winning the coveted Sayonara Cup for Tasmania in 1953.
The gaff-riggers division is headed by the famous Ranger, with octogenarian skipper Bill Gale again at the helm and proudly carrying the sail number A1 of the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club.
The nine Historical Skiffs are all replicas of the spectacular gaff-rigged 18-footers that raced on Sydney Harbour a century ago, many helmed by modern-day skiff champions including John Winning (Australia IV) and Michael Chapman (Yendys). Built to the original plans, these icons of Sydney Harbour carry colour emblems rather than sail numbers on their massive mainsails. — Peter Campbell
In conjunction with the Melbourne Wooden Boat Festival the famous tall ship the “One & All” will be sailing to Melbourne.
Opportunities are available to take the trip of a lifetime onboard and join the delivery voyage to the inaugural Melbourne Wooden Boat Festival. Departing Adelaide and sailing via Portland to Melbourne the voyage on this unique vessel takes in over 500 miles of breathtaking southern coastline featuring the picturesque Coorong National Park and historic Shipwreck Coast
This is perfect short break for those that have dreamt about sailing on the ocean onboard a tall ship and experiencing the romance of a traditional sailing life at sea. Enjoy life onboard as an active crew member by participating in sailing shifts with also plenty of time to relax, eat, swim and just simply enjoy the abundant natural features of the ocean and the coast as the modern day world slips past.
This is a unique experience that provides an insight into our sailing heritage.
Three journey options are available – you can experience the wonder of the complete voyage Adelaide to Melbourne, or join the crew from Adelaide to Portland or Portland to Melbourne.
Partial voyage – Adelaide to Portland or Portland to Melbourne $860 per person
The complete voyage – Adelaide to Melbourne $1,500 per person
Voyage Dates
Adelaide – Melbourne Depart Feb 10th – Arrive Feb 18th
Adelaide – Portland Depart Feb 10th – Arrive Feb 13th
Portland – Melbourne Depart Feb 14th – Arrvie Feb 18th
For more information see www.woodenboat.com.au/advertiser/satallships_oneandall_home.asp
Norm Souter-Smith recently contacted the Register of Australian and New Zealand Ships and Boats to find a good home for his very historic yacht Oimara.
Norm wrote:
“It is with a lot of sadness that my wife Beryl and I have come to the decision that Oimara should be passed to a younger person or organization with the enthusiasm and enterprise to restore her to her former glory”.
For the full story and some lovely imagery visit
Expressions of interest are pouring in which indicates that next year’s Wooden Boat Festival will be bigger, better and more beautiful than before! The massive program on 6th, & 7th, March 2010 includes the crowd pleasing Grand Parade of boats, the Classic Yacht passage race from Melbourne, the Couta Boat passage race from Portarlington, harbour races on Corio Bay, demonstration races by a fleet of ‘Herons’, the added bonus of the Couta Boat Victorian Titles AND an outstanding shoresides display!
Here, at the 150 year old Royal Geelong Yacht Club, Australia’s maritime heritage will be on show during the Labour day weekend holiday of 6th & 7th of March with an expanded shoreside display as well as producing some never-to-be-forgotten sights on the waters of the jewel-of-the-south, Corio Bay.
On shore, the public, with easy access, will be able to meander along jetties and soak in the beauty of this display of well loved wooden boats! There’ll be old ocean racers, fishing boats, harbour greyhounds, and ex-pilot launches plus large topsail cutters, putt putts, dories, classic speedboats, yachts and clinker built dinghies. Each one absolutely gleaming with the sheer care, love and attention showered upon them by proud owners.
At the Presentation Dinner, Tim Phillips will speak of his pride and joy, ‘Storm Bay’ then at lunchtime on Sunday, David Ramage will tell of the building of ‘Metani’ and his experiences when sailing her to the Caribbean.
Shore-based displays will include prominent boat builders whose exhibits will complement this historic assembly of Victoria’s outstanding maritime heritage.
The 2010 program will again include the magnificent Cavalcade of Sail at the Grand Parade, the Concourse d’ Elegance, racing on the bay for the Corio Bay Couta Boat Cup, The Couta Boat Victorian Titles and the fleet of ‘Herons’ zipping around close inshore in their demonstration races! There’s only one word for it – - ‘Spectacular’! Make sure that YOU do not miss it!
And, as the man said – ‘There’s MORE!’ – Rope making, boat building displays featuring some of Australia’s prominent shipwrights, a display of the Royal Geelong Yacht Club’s 150 years of history, A BBQ and sausage sizzle will add to these attractions. Truly, a genuine salty flavour to a weekend of seagoing delights!
Saturday and Sunday will surely be massive days out for the public, when all displays, exhibitions and displays will be open to all.This is only a teaser of the impressive display of beautiful craftsmanship, glorious history and tradition that will be on display at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club over the weekend of the 6th. & 7th. of March 2010.Everyone is welcome and for the general public, entry is free! So skippers, take command and give the orders; ‘Let go forward, let go springs and let go aft!’ Now set your helm for the Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong in March 2010!
Registration forms will be available within the next 2 weeks. Further information (03) 5229 3705 or visit www.rgyc.com.au
Bob Appleton.
Rees Martin Writes…
“After a very successful Six Metre World Championships in Newport R.I. it is clear that Classics Sixes are still being found and restored . Several were converted for cruising in the 1920s; some raced in the Solent as Q Class yachts. I suspect there are examples where the owner may not even know they are 6 Metres. Uffa Fox wrote enthusiastically about several – at least two of which have disappeared.
Could I ask your readers if they own or know of any Sixes sitting under wraps, being cruised or lying derelict in a yard? The Class has extensive records of all the Sixes built and most have been identified however there are several important examples still to be found and bought back to race again!”
Replies to Rees at rees@6mr.org.uk