sailingvessel

Happy Christmas 1911!

beachcomber australia :P

The MERSEY had arrived late on Christmas Eve according to the SMH of Tuesday 26/12/1911 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/15298360

TRAINING SHIP MERSEY Though at one time the people on board the White Star training ship Mersey hardly expected to reach Sydney for Christmas, yet a spurt of eight days (from the Leeuwin) at an average dally rate of over 220 miles, and a timely meeting with the tug just when the wind showed signs of falling light and going ahead, enabled her to pass through the Heads just before midnight and as Christmas morning was ushered in the anchor was let go. Captain F. W. Corner, R.N.R., the commander of the ship, reports:-- "We had a good voyage all round. Leaving Liverpool on September 21, the tug was cast off the following day off the Tuskar, and after two days' manoeuvring, in adverse winds, a good offing was obtained. Madeira was passed on October 4, and the north-east trades were indifferent; thus the line was not crossed till the 27th, when the usual Equator sports were held. The south-east trades were very good, and the island of Tristan da Cunha was sighted on November 15, but at a distance; so the Mersey did not stop off the island, as she did two years ago. The easting was run down in parallel 40 degrees S, and, but for three poor days near St. Paul Island, would have been very satisfactory. As it was, an average of over 200 miles daily was made. The longitude of the Leeuwin was reached on the 16th, and as stated, a really good week's run brought the ship off Gabo Island on the 23rd. The vessel is fitted with wireless, and it is interesting to note that a conversation was kept up near the Equator between the Mersey and the L'Avenir, a Belgian training ship, and, as far as we know, the only other 'windjammer' fitted with wireless." Captain Corner has with him the following officers:--- Chief, Mr. David Williams; first, Mr George Spencer, R.N.R.; second, Mr. L. H. Hardstaff, R.N.R.;, head-master, Mr. F. C. Cross R.N.R.; assistant master, Mr. T. C. Gray; surgeon, Dr. E. A. Shirvell. Fifty more cadets are carried on this voyage. The ship will make a fair stay in Sydney, during which she will load for home round the Horn. She is now lying in Neutral Bay.

beachcomber australia Love the level of detail here. Good to know it was in Neutral Bay. Thanks beachcomber :)

The distinctive terrace of houses on High Street, Millers Point (see note) - GoogleMapsStreetView goo.gl/maps/IrdPj , Put the photo at one of the wharves at east side of Darling Harbour (McLean's Wharf?).

beachcomber australia This MERSEY ship is quite interesting. First we have missing embellishments i.e. see comments here
Then it's different locations. It's possible they moored at Neutral Bay, but completed repairs near Darling Harbour...

Australian National Maritime Museum on The Commons Indeed. I am always surprised to find out just how long ships stayed in Sydney - weeks, sometimes months. Moving around the harbour for various activities. The Mersey seems to have been in Sydney until the end of February 1912. A party at Dalgetty's wharf - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/15310576 . And the outward cargo - "84 bales of basils, 16,010 bags of wheat, 35,800 fishplates, 2156 rails and pieces, and 2863 bales of wool." - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/15313955

beachcomber australia More Trove discoveries! Thanks beachcomber :)

22 footer Portia

Ian Smith Thanks for the information. - Kate.