Boats in the docks
Hobart’s dock house many boats. The pleasure boats and the professional fishing boats continually come and go and change moorings.
There are a few boats which are almost permanently berthed in the same places.
These boats are not privately owned.
The Matilda
1993: The Matilda is one of 12 oldest fishing vessels in the world.
1886: Boat built at Old Wharf Sullivans Cove. When built The Matilda did not have an aft cabin or engine.
1895: A professional fisherman James Moody owned it. His wife was Matilda. Boat was based at Port Arthur.
1906: Tasman Island lighthouse commissioned. Boat services the lighthouse.
1939: Boat owned by Spaulding family of Nubeena. Boat used for catching crayfish.
Les Bennett owned the boat. Based at Constitution Dock.
1955: Boat wins a race at Hobart Regatta.
1974: Boat sold and displayed at Port Arthur.
1999: Hobart City council takes over boat.
Today: On display at Constitution Dock out of the water.
May Queen
1867: Built in Franklin on Huon River. Carried timber and supplies around Hobart region.
Raced in regattas from 1868 to 1954. Australia’s oldest sail trading vessel. One of very few of her age around the world today.
The name: A May Queen is a girl dressed in white who leads May Day celebrations. She is pure. May Day originally celebrated the return of Sporing. New life. Reborn.
1924: May Queen fitted with an engine and continued to work. Last barge working between the Huon River and Hobart. Four vessels of her ages still afloat. Only one in Australia.
1960: The May Queen retired.
Today displayed at constitution dock. Owned by Maritime Museum.
Boarding and viewing: Saturday morning. Thursday afternoon.
http://www.maritimetas.org/
Westward
The vessel was built in Battery Point as a recreational fishing yacht.
The propeller was removed to convert her to a racing yacht.
1947-1948: Handicap winner of Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
2010: Donated to Maritime Museum of Tasmania. Sailed down from Queensland.
http://www.maritimetas.org/
Lady Nelson
Lady Nelson is a brig. A brig is a sailing vessel with two square rigged masts. They were seen as faster and more manoeuvrable than sloops. A slop is a one-masted sailing boat often with a jib fore and aft.
1798: Lady Nelson was built in England. Named after Horatio Nelson’s wife.
1800: Explored the Australian coast for the navy. Sailed between NSW, Norfolk Is, SA, Victoria and Tasmania.
1803: Lady Nelson took a mangy group to Risdon Cove to establish a settlement in Van Diemen’s Land. In 1804 they moved to Hobart rivulet.
1825: Captured by Malay pirates near Timor. Crew massacred and ship wrecked.
1986-8: Replica of Lady Nelson was built.
Today: The brig is run by volunteer organisation. The aim is to teach sailing and a love of boats.
Today: To experience sailing on this boat go to website.
http://www.ladynelson.org.au/
Rhona H
The Rhona H is a small tall ship.
1942: Boat built in Trevallyn Launceston. Huon pine with celery top frames.
Worked as recreational fishing boat, cray boat, abalone boat.
2014: Bought by Heritage Sailing Tasmania. Crewed by volunteers. Mainly sails at weekend.
Today: Sail training; charter; short cruises on the Derwent; longer cruises to Kettering or Bruny island.
Today: To experience sailing on this boat go to website.
https://www.rhonah.com.au/
Windward Bound and Mistral 11
The brigantine "Windeward Bound" is run by a trust.
The trust is a charity crewed by volunteers. Their aim is to give to young people skills. Skills involved in making and sailing a tall ship. Practical skills. Social skills.
1996: Windeward Bound was launched. She has sailed around ANZ crewed by young people.
1945: Mistral 11 Sailed in Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
Today: She joins the Windeward Bound trust. Her function is to help her sister ship provide skills and opportunities to young people.
Today: To experience sailing on these boats go to website.
https://www.windewardbound.com.au/mistral
There are a few boats which are almost permanently berthed in the same places.
These boats are not privately owned.
The Matilda
1993: The Matilda is one of 12 oldest fishing vessels in the world.
1886: Boat built at Old Wharf Sullivans Cove. When built The Matilda did not have an aft cabin or engine.
1895: A professional fisherman James Moody owned it. His wife was Matilda. Boat was based at Port Arthur.
1906: Tasman Island lighthouse commissioned. Boat services the lighthouse.
1939: Boat owned by Spaulding family of Nubeena. Boat used for catching crayfish.
Les Bennett owned the boat. Based at Constitution Dock.
1955: Boat wins a race at Hobart Regatta.
1974: Boat sold and displayed at Port Arthur.
1999: Hobart City council takes over boat.
Today: On display at Constitution Dock out of the water.
May Queen
1867: Built in Franklin on Huon River. Carried timber and supplies around Hobart region.
Raced in regattas from 1868 to 1954. Australia’s oldest sail trading vessel. One of very few of her age around the world today.
The name: A May Queen is a girl dressed in white who leads May Day celebrations. She is pure. May Day originally celebrated the return of Sporing. New life. Reborn.
1924: May Queen fitted with an engine and continued to work. Last barge working between the Huon River and Hobart. Four vessels of her ages still afloat. Only one in Australia.
1960: The May Queen retired.
Today displayed at constitution dock. Owned by Maritime Museum.
Boarding and viewing: Saturday morning. Thursday afternoon.
http://www.maritimetas.org/
Westward
The vessel was built in Battery Point as a recreational fishing yacht.
The propeller was removed to convert her to a racing yacht.
1947-1948: Handicap winner of Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
2010: Donated to Maritime Museum of Tasmania. Sailed down from Queensland.
http://www.maritimetas.org/
Lady Nelson
Lady Nelson is a brig. A brig is a sailing vessel with two square rigged masts. They were seen as faster and more manoeuvrable than sloops. A slop is a one-masted sailing boat often with a jib fore and aft.
1798: Lady Nelson was built in England. Named after Horatio Nelson’s wife.
1800: Explored the Australian coast for the navy. Sailed between NSW, Norfolk Is, SA, Victoria and Tasmania.
1803: Lady Nelson took a mangy group to Risdon Cove to establish a settlement in Van Diemen’s Land. In 1804 they moved to Hobart rivulet.
1825: Captured by Malay pirates near Timor. Crew massacred and ship wrecked.
1986-8: Replica of Lady Nelson was built.
Today: The brig is run by volunteer organisation. The aim is to teach sailing and a love of boats.
Today: To experience sailing on this boat go to website.
http://www.ladynelson.org.au/
Rhona H
The Rhona H is a small tall ship.
1942: Boat built in Trevallyn Launceston. Huon pine with celery top frames.
Worked as recreational fishing boat, cray boat, abalone boat.
2014: Bought by Heritage Sailing Tasmania. Crewed by volunteers. Mainly sails at weekend.
Today: Sail training; charter; short cruises on the Derwent; longer cruises to Kettering or Bruny island.
Today: To experience sailing on this boat go to website.
https://www.rhonah.com.au/
Windward Bound and Mistral 11
The brigantine "Windeward Bound" is run by a trust.
The trust is a charity crewed by volunteers. Their aim is to give to young people skills. Skills involved in making and sailing a tall ship. Practical skills. Social skills.
1996: Windeward Bound was launched. She has sailed around ANZ crewed by young people.
1945: Mistral 11 Sailed in Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
Today: She joins the Windeward Bound trust. Her function is to help her sister ship provide skills and opportunities to young people.
Today: To experience sailing on these boats go to website.
https://www.windewardbound.com.au/mistral