A beautiful sunny warm day saw us strolling next to the Yarra in the South Wharf precinct. I was especially excited, as I am related to the once New Zealand owners of “the most beautiful ship built in Belfast”…. The Polly Woodside.
It was launched in 1885 and the wind billowed in its enormous sails all over the world. The first owner was William Woodside, and his wife’s nick name was Polly. In 1904 it was sold to New Zealand owners and renamed “Rona”. When steamships took over from sailing boats, her masts were removed, and it was used to take fuel and coal to other ships. It has now been fully restored as an interactive Museum, and is berthed in the historic Duke’s & Orr’s Dry dock. The surrounding area is bathed in the history of the docks and there are very photogenic relics at every turn. I thought the rigging on Polly will make an interesting dry point print one day….
It was launched in 1885 and the wind billowed in its enormous sails all over the world. The first owner was William Woodside, and his wife’s nick name was Polly. In 1904 it was sold to New Zealand owners and renamed “Rona”. When steamships took over from sailing boats, her masts were removed, and it was used to take fuel and coal to other ships. It has now been fully restored as an interactive Museum, and is berthed in the historic Duke’s & Orr’s Dry dock. The surrounding area is bathed in the history of the docks and there are very photogenic relics at every turn. I thought the rigging on Polly will make an interesting dry point print one day….
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