User:Edoddridge/sandbox

Lady Nelson Replica Page Draft

The replica of the original HMS Lady Nelson was launched from Ray Kemp's ramp at Margate Tasmania in 1988. She was built locally of local timbers (Tasmanian blue gum keel and frames, celery top pine decking, with masts of Oregon pine grown in Tasmania). She began her voyages in late 1988, first as a sail training ship in the Derwent River, and soon afterwards sailing her first long voyage to Westernport in Victoria.

In her first 10 years, the Lady Nelson sailed a number of historic vodges across the eastern ports of Australia. Between 1990 and 1996 the Lady Nelson travelled to Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland to share the history of the vessel with thousands of Australians. During this time the Tasmanian Sail Training Association secured a number of sponsorship arrangements with commercial firms and government departments. She also played a number of important roles including the radio relay vessel for the Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race in the early 1990's.

Following her perminate return to her hometown of Hobart, Tasmania in 1996 the brig continued to bring many happy hours to passengers, school children and crew alike as she sailed the waters of the River Derwent.

In 2000 she sailed to Portland in Victoria to celebrate the arrival of the original Lady Nelson in 1800 in Bass Strait. During March 2001 the Lady Nelson again cross Bass Strait to re-enact the discovery of Western Port and on 14th February 2002 entered Port Philip Bay 200 years to the day that the original ship passed safely through the Rip.

2003 saw the Lady Nelson again in Port Philip Bay to commemorate the first settlement at Sorrento. The Lady Nelson sails predominantly on the River Derwent. Rob Thomas now leads the Tasmanian Sail Training Association.