The
James Craig, originally the
Clan MacLeod (1874), is a 3-masted barque which was restored by the Sydney Heritage Fleet between 1973 and 2001. A friend attended a Maritime Museum conference during the week, and on Friday evening from 4pm 'til 8pm, attendees chugged on the
James Craig under motor out to Watsons Bay and then leisurely sailed back. I got to tag along. Hee hee ...
Most of the crew were volunteers from the Sydney Heritage Fleet, many of whom had been instrumental in her salvage and return to glory. As you may be aware, a huge proportion of volunteers are over retirement age. Which brings to mind the old quote: In your guts, you know they're nuts!
They were still lashing the canvas as we came back in under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and concluded our voyage with a chugg up and around Cockatoo Island, before returning to the permanent berth of the James Craig beside Wharf 7 which is launched as the home of the Sydney Heritage Fleet in a few months.
