A beautiful calm warm day saw us at the South Wharf precinct, where the "Polly Woodside" is moored beside the Yarra River. This is the name of a square rigged sailing ship that has been restored to its former glory, heralded as
" the most beautiful ship built in Belfast", in 1885.
Its owner William Woodside, named it after his wife's nickname. The ship sailed all over the world, and in 1904 was sold to a New Zealand firm and renamed "Rona". This is where I am excited as I am related to those owners! Eventually steam ships took over from sailing ships and its masts were removed and it was then used to supply coal to other ships in Melbourne. Today it has been lovingly restored to its former glory and is an interactive historic museum. The surrounding dock area also has interesting history, and the restored pumphouse and associated machinery were very photogenic, the rigging may feature in a dry point print one day...
" the most beautiful ship built in Belfast", in 1885.
Its owner William Woodside, named it after his wife's nickname. The ship sailed all over the world, and in 1904 was sold to a New Zealand firm and renamed "Rona". This is where I am excited as I am related to those owners! Eventually steam ships took over from sailing ships and its masts were removed and it was then used to supply coal to other ships in Melbourne. Today it has been lovingly restored to its former glory and is an interactive historic museum. The surrounding dock area also has interesting history, and the restored pumphouse and associated machinery were very photogenic, the rigging may feature in a dry point print one day...
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