Ship's Communiqué - Williamstown to Hobart Voyage

Thursday 3 Feb 1400

Exited Port Phillip Heads at 0400 this morning by the western leads (4 fingers west). Lots of shipping traffic at the heads then.

Currently off Cape Patterson in light winds - on the nose with sloppy seas. The foresail is set, so now motor sailing at 5 knots. All holding up well.

Currently bound for Killiecrankie Bay on northwest of Flinders Island. From there will wait for northerly winds then run for Snug Cove, Clarke Island - and wait there until weather front passes over before transiting Banks Strait.

Friday 4 Feb 1350

At anchor East Cove, Deal Island.  Enjoyed tacos & soup for lunch. 

Some sail trainees hiked to lighthouse. Met new caretakers Lynn & Tim (from New York). Others went to the museum. Most got stuck when the rains came. 

Fauna thus sighted: Cape Barren Geese, seals, dolphins and penguins. Trainees and crew are currently looking at thick fog on top of Kent Group islands. Swimming has been contemplated but so far avoided.

Will weigh anchor this afternoon and make for Flinders Island. Hopefully Killiecrankie  Bay but will depend on weather.

Winds currently Northeast to Northwest, will be backing West to Southwest sometime this afternoon. ETA Flinders Island sometime tonight, again weather dependant.

Addendum 4 Feb 1650

Underway from Deal Island, course 157° T*, speed over ground 3 knots. ETA early tomorrow morning.

*That's a course for Killiecrankie.

Sat 5 Feb 1240

Following msg from Kevin Martin, Master:

Weighed anchor at 1400 on the 4th and exited south end of Murray Pass, heading south.

Downwind sailing with all sails set, including course, with 10-15 knt winds astern.

Decision made to continue down to west side of Flinders overnight as northerly winds increasing and lightning all around.  Doused Main & Course just before midnight as precaution then hit by horizontal rain and winds from behind - off the scale at 50kts.

All hands called on deck to douse all sail in extreme conditions and still doing 7knts downwind with bare poles, at height of storm.  That means actually 60knts of wind from astern. By 0230 still doing 4knts under bare poles. Abeam Goose Island.

Started raising sail at first light. Passing Clarke Island at dawn and entering Banks Strait. Winds of 20+ knts and tide against us, sailing through the strait with following seas.

Full sail set including course at 3knts over ground and 6knts through the water.  Rounded Swan Island at 1050 on the 5th and finally out of tidal races.

Currently midday on the 5th, wind 25knts, speed 5.5knts.  Abeam Musselroe Point heading down east coast of Tassie with southerly change of 30knts expected during the night.  Note: Engine not turned on since leaving Deal Island.

All sail trainees & crew well & healthy.  Sunshine finally gracing us with its warmth.

End msg.

Sun 6 Feb 1512

1400 Posn Rep: At anchor Wineglass Bay

Sun 6 Feb 2159

Still sailing down east coast - winds varying 20-40knts astern.  Large pods of dolphins spotted often.

Front hit just on dark.  Due to awareness of all crew and sail trainees on board, all sails were doused prior to cold front, which was only a fizzer of about 25knts.  Weather progressed through the night to become bitterly cold with horizontal rains not unlike the night before.  Pounding through a head sea, crew levitating off their bunks on every third wave.  Two trainees, expecting the worst from their previous night's experience, lashed themselves to the foremast, refusing to leave their posts even under duress.  Other trainees were more sane, if somewhat less dedicated, and would have preferred to be asleep & warm in their bunks rather than helming or peering into the darkness through the driving rain.  In their daze, some trainees reported tripping over their own luggage, strewn throughout the saloon.

At 0300hrs a water leak was concluded to be the cause of vastly dwindling water supplies when the second tank (changed to, only HOURS earlier that day) started alarming low levels. The drastically plummeting levels proved that sail trainees had been falsely accused of using all the water and thus secondary sources were to be sought

At 0730 dropped anchor in Wine Glass Bay, and repairs to ship commenced.  The course yard was laboriously raised, wormed, whipped at intervals on the jib stay and bits of marlin removed.  The entire galley & saloon floor were removed as an extensive search for the water leak commenced.  Trainees were ‘imprisoned' above decks and shortly all but one were conveniently relocated to the shore, replete with fresh fruit, the last of the available water supplies, and instructions to find & acquire more through any means necessary.  After lengthy inspections in the bowels of the ship, a possible cause of the water leak was discovered - the urn overflow!  So the urn was exposed, the culprit (a sunken float) fixed & all put back together again.  Much time was spent in the Harry Potter cupboard replacing the raw water pump for the fridge & dropping many a screwdriver in the bilge - all painstakingly retrieved!)

Trainees returned with their riches of 3 litres fresh water & an appetite for lunch.  A few braved the icy waters for a quick duck wash.

An interlude with Dick Smith & an exchange of weather information occurred whilst enjoying dessert of rice pudding.

Currently enjoying a light refreshment before anchor watch commences.

Tue 8 Feb 2018

Left Wineglass Bay 0700 hrs with cannon salute.  Dick Smith following closely behind us, then overtaking, only for us to pass him anchored on the northern side of Schouten Island.

Passed One & All as they motored towards Wineglass Bay.  Cannon salute & dipping of Ensign brought a return wave.

Followed coastline under sail on starboard tack.  Ran out of wind, then it came around to port side.  Tried to start engine to get us away from rocks, engine mishap prevented immediate action.  Another thing quickly fixed!

Couta lures out, but alas, all that was caught was one small couta, but heaps of squid & one fantastic 10kg striped tuna by Mark.  Anchored in Riedle Bay, Maria Island.

Shore parties enjoyed squeaky, powder soft sand & returned in time for tuna sashimi, expertly prepared by Jo & tender-fried squid courtesy of the master's culinary skills.  Followed by an amazing dinner of Moroccan lamb & crispy couscous frittata.

Peaceful anchor watch.  Awoke to a hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs & a wonderful walk along the beach.  Weighed anchor at 1215, enjoyed spectacular rugged coastline of Tasmania whilst powering through moderate head seas & brisk southerly.

Plans to transit the 'hole in the wall' were dashed upon the rocks & instead a picturesque anchorage at Fortescue Bay is currently being enjoyed.

Wed 9 FEB 1339

Weighed anchor at first light from a very calm and safe harbourage (Fortescue Bay).

Motoring out into a lovely sunrise (destination Port Arthur). We rounded the Lanterns to the south. At 0705 we sighted James Craig to the north and the One & All to the south. As the One & All rounded to come alongside for a quick chat we fired a salute across her bow.

Motoring along together, we rounded Cape Pillar and went through the hole in the wall, encountering large rolling swells.

0910 rounded Budget Head into Port Arthur with the One & All ahead and James Craig astern. We motored past Port Arthur harbour and fired three cannon salutes within 2 mins then went to anchor, deploying 2 shackles. All the time the master chef (Amanda) was feverishly cooking up a storm in the galley, making scones and hamburgers.

We deployed the tender and ferried all trainees ashore to enjoy historic Port Arthur.

Log for 10 Feb. 11

Weighed anchor at 0030 and motored out of Port Arthur.  On passing The James Craig it was thought prudent to not salute, although it was considered.  Motored through the night until 0630 by which time we had crossed Storm Bay and turned north into the Derwent.  At this point the sails were raised and the motor cut. Ah bliss - gentle lapping of the water against the hull.  A little later, came up on the "Iron Pot". An hour later, we had finally passed it!

Sails lowered and motor again started as the wind was almost head on. A decision made to motor to a point where we could tack our way in under sail.  Cut motor at Battery Bluff and again raised sails.  By this time the "A" team had again taken the watch to show how to bring the ship home. Due to wind change, the first tack brought us a little shy of Sullivans Cove so tacked away toward Kangaroo Bay where we again turned toward home.  Deck crew performed well as we steered a direct course into Sullivans Cove.  Of course the police came out to clear the "massive spectator fleet" from our path.

Sails lowered and engine started to bring us into dock at the Elizabeth Street pier.  Crew were stood down and dispersed, some for home, others to accommodation where a hot shower was the first order. Tomorrow the Wooden Boat Festival begins.

Leg 1 Hobart Crew