THE towering masts of three of Australia’s best tall ships will provide a rare addition to Williamstown’s skyline over the next three weeks.
Tall Ships Victoria president Peter Harris believes Williamstown’s shores haven’t hosted as many tall ships since the 1920s, when square-rigged trading ships stopped regularly visiting Melbourne’s ports.
Australia’s premier tall ship, the 1872 barque James Craig, was officially welcomed to Workshops Pier on Friday morning.
She was joined by Enterprize over the weekend, and Windeward Bound will dock in Williamstown today.
Mr Harris, also a crew member on James Craig, spent six days alongside 50 other crew as they sailed the ship from its home in Sydney last week.
He said a problem with the ship’s gearbox had forced the rescheduling of at least three planned bay voyages.
“We’re hoping it will be back sailing before the end of the week,” Mr Harris said.
The boat has undergone an $18 million restoration since it was salvaged from mud at the bottom of Tasmania’s Recherge Bay in 1972.
Mr Harris said a steady stream of locals had visited Workshops Pier over the weekend to have a closer look at one of the world’s best historic ships.
He said anyone hoping to sail on board James Craig could phone Hobsons Bay Visitor Information Centre on 9932 4310.
