Paddleducks

General => Chat & Off Topic Stuff => Topic started by: Roderick Smith on June 08, 2007, 08:51:23 AM

Title: Sailing ship James Craig [Australia] film
Post by: Roderick Smith on June 08, 2007, 08:51:23 AM
This isn't a paddleboat, but the friendship and the achievement despite financial worres are common across all transport-preservation hobbies.

This ~1876 sailing ship was restored by Sydney Maritime Museum, over 30 years, and was sailing again from 2000-01.
See www.australianheritagefleet.com.au.
It is based at Darling Harbour (Sydney), and makes regular public cruises in Sydney Harbour, and out through the heads to sea for a day.
It makes occasional cruises further afield.  A couple of years ago, I was aboard on a half-day cruise from Geelong (Victoria).
A 90 min film has just been released (and is available on dvd), showing the history of the restoration project.  It was released 3 weeks ago, with a special screening in the theatrette at National Maritime Museum (Darling Harbour).
Last night (Thurs.7.6), I was a guest at the Victorian premiere, at Sun Cinema (Yarraville).  This was a very appropriate venue. It was close to Williamstown (a major part of Port of Melbourne in the sailing era).  The derelict cinema was bought for use as a factory making cinema curtains by a man who got into this business by making yacht sails.  Bit by bit he restored it as a cinema.  The guests included not just enthusiasts and volunteers, but port officials and operators of historic and commercial vessels.  I chatted with the owner of MV Victoria Star (former Sydney ferry Lady McKell).
The film is showing at the cinema 14.00 & 19.00 Fri.8 to Wed.13.6.
See www.suntheatre.com.au.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor