The billowing sails of Sydney

February 2013

For us as sailors, the maritime history of Australia is amazing. Remember that it took a few navigators over 100 year to search for the undiscovered continent, Terra Australis.  We found a lot of the stories displayed in the Maritime museum and anyway Sydney is one big maritime paradise.

Sydney Maritime museum

But it was the Dutch navigators, who discovered first the “lost southern” continent.

The fair breeze blew, the white foam blew

The furrow followed free

We were the first that ever burst

Into that silent sea

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner part II

Samuel Taylor Coleridge 1772-1834

In 1623  Jan Carstensz reported to the Dutch East India captains of seeing a dry land, no use to mankind, whose inhabitants were 'the poorest and most wretched creatures ever seen'

Then it was the inspirer of this blog, Abel Tasman, who searched for the undiscovered continent and accidentally came upon Tasmania which he claimed and named Van Diemen's Land. He next found and named New Zealand.

Abel Tasman passage, a replica of his map in marble on the floor in the State Library

Capt. James Cook

Endeavour

April 1770, Captain James Cook on the Endeavour spotted and claimed the east coast of Australia for the Crown. He named it New South Wales. And as we 
know a penal Colony had been set up at Botany Bay a desperate attempt to ‘cleanse the festering sores' that were England's overflowing prisons.

The Rawson Institute for Seaman at The Rocks, formerly the Mariner's Church, was creating a mission for neglected seamen.

 










Sydney harbour is amazing and there are boats everywhere. Ferries, cruise liners, replicas, harbour tour boats, motor boats and yachts.

And with so much maritime inspiration, we were looking for a ship to sail on. The start of our job on the Royal Albatross in Singapore had been delayed, so we have a couple of weeks to kill. In the sailing world, you can try to send mails and resume’s, but much better is just to “rock up” at the dock. Networking is another must in sailing and with help from my friend Karla, with whom I sailed in St. Tropez in the Classic regatta; we met Marty from Sydney Tall Ships.

If we want to come out for a trial day sailing?
Of course, sailing bag packed and off we go to
Campbell’s cove to meet with the ship. Both Billy
and I were completely astonished to see he Soren Larsen moored at the quay. For the sailors, this is a very famous Tall Ship which was starring in the Onedin Line (my favourite TV program when I
was a little girl) and circumnavigated the world
several times. We both have sent several emails
with job applications, but we never got an answer. And guess: we are going to sail on the
 SOREN LARSEN!

Soren Larsen in Sydney Harbour

Of course I was nervous. After 4 years in the office being a landlubber, back on a Tall ship. Do I remember the lines, the pins, the sail setting commands and “do I still dare to climb the mast? “ Billy got immediately directed to the engine room and I got a climbing harness and instructions for the mooring lines (shit I hope that I can still throw a heaving line!). But we did it! End of our trial day we got the invitation from Marty the captain “yes you are more than welcome to be crew on the Soren Larsen. Your bunks will be ready; you can stay onboard for the next weeks". When Billy and I walked back to our hotel that evening we just sang the song “YES YES we are going to sail on the Soren Larsen, the freaking Soren Larsen”. For you as readers of this blog herewith the link to the website of the Soren and you understand our fascination.

Brasso, Brasso. Shiny!

http://www.sorenlarsen.com

We packed our bags in the hostel and moved to the ship. We stayed in a "luxurious cabin" but still so small that you at least sleep with one of your bags in your bunk !

So how the day of a sailor does looks? The sailing program is harbour tours 3x a day. That means waking up in the morning and polish the brass, scrub the deck and get the ship ready for guests. A lot of catering activities while the people get served drinks and food during the sail.

Going aloft, climbing the mast to get the sails ready

Coiling again and again

Going aloft, climb the mast to un-gasket the sails and get them ready to set. Set the sails, most of the time just a couple of square sails, staysail and jib. Tidy the ship, coil the lines and relax for a bit. Enjoy the wonderful view of Sydney harbour and chit chat with the guests.

Crewmate Mike and me

My big help and my buddy on deck was Mike to let me remember all the lines and sail setting commands and after a week I was back on track.  YES Tall Ship girl again.

Billy is mostly busy operating the engine controls and worrying about the clutch. When that was done he helped with hauling on some lines.

 Another famous character on the boat is Frankie, the host who tells about the maritime history and make sure that the guests have a great time.


But my goodness, my muscles were sore after a couple of days sailing and tired from all the physical strenguous work. I really had to shake off my office lifestyle and every day I got stronger and the mast seemed lower. What a fantastic Tall Ship is Soren Larsen and so much fun with the crew. Hopefully we will join her again in August to sail more and join the Tall Ships event.

YESSSS.... Tall Ships girl again!

 Ahoy Charlotte