Steam and Sail on Sydney Harbour

Steam and Sail on Sydney Harbour

Australia Day, 2002

the 1902 Steam Yacht Lady Hopetoun, from which all the photographs on this page were taken.

Various festivities occur throughout the nation on Australia Day, 26 January. In Sydney, some occur on the Harbour, often culminating in a Parade of Sail and evening fireworks.

The Sydney Maritime Museum, which operates the Sydney Heritage Fleet, participates in the Harbour activities. Four vessels were involved this year: the work ferry-launch Protex, the steamers Lady Hopetoun and Waratah, and the newly-restored ocean-going sailing ship, the barque James Craig.

Click on each thumbnail to see a full size image.

The 1902 built Steam Tug Waratah waits in Farm Cove before moving into position on the Main Harbour.
ST Waratah steams out ready for the start of the annual Ferry race.
A Navy yacht precedes *ST Waratah* while a Manly ferry stands by as a spectator craft
The SY Lady Hopetoun has put on a turn of speed and catches up with Waratah.
The distance closes in. The sign on the bridge reads " Sydney Heritage Fleet".
The Lady Hopetoun draws past the *Waratah*.
The start of the Ferry Race. The Martello Tower on the right is an island fortification, known as Fort Denison.
One of the decorated racing ferries approaches one of Sydney's icons, the Opera House on Bennelong Point.

Most appropriately, the highlight of the day is a Parade of sail in the evening. But there is also a flotilla of sailing craft on the Harbour throughout the day, including the replica Bounty, Our Svanen, Eye of the Wind, but this year the undoubted star was the iron-hulled Barque, James Craig.

Click on each thumbnail for a full size image

	The highlight of the day was to see the magnificent 1874 barque, the *James Craig* under sail on Sydney Harbour.
	It has been a remarkable 30 year effort to preserve and restore this ocean going sailing ship.
	Under sail, the *James Craig* proceeds towards another Sydney icon, the great Harbour Bridge of 1932. The Martello Tower of Fort Denison is visible behind.
	The two complement each other. The Sydney Harbour Bridge, completed in 1932, is the world's greatest steel arch span.
	The *James Craig* passes the photographer's home suburb, Balmain, once a busy ship-building and repair location.
	The *Lady Hopetoun* steamed into Gore Bay on the North Shore, and here at Manns Point, the Harbour is at its narrowest. The first Harbour tunnel, carrying electric cables for the North Shore Railway and tramways, passes under here.
	The *Lady Hopetoun* has moved across the bows of the *James Craig*.
	The James Craig passes one of Sydney's most pleasant streets, Louisa Road , Birchgrove.
	Another iconic photograph: the James Craig passes under one of Sydney's double deck electric trains. Those who see it everyday tend to overlook the bridge as the engineering marvel it really is. The lattice work above the train is a temporary framework for part of the fireworks display.
	Will it fit under the bridge? Yes, the height of the road and rail deck is 170 feet above the water level. However, the masts are adjusted so that *James Craig* will fit under the Anzac Bridge at Glebe.
	The photographer and the photographed.

To contact the Sydney Maritime Museum, operators of the Sydney Heritage Fleet:

Sydney Heritage Fleet

PO Box 431, Rozelle NSW 2039

Phone 02 9298 3888

http://www.seaheritage.asn.au/

To contact the author:

email jlacey@zeta.org.au

For the Index to my other web pages click below	For photos of another Lady Hopetoun cruise click below