[BITList] Arrival of tall ships makes for spectacular sight on the River Derwent | The Mercury

[John Feltham]

http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/arrival-of-tall-ships-makes-for-spectacular-sight-on-the-river-derwent/story-fnj4f7k1-1226723896985

Arrival of tall ships makes for spectacular sight on the River Derwent

 


Ahoy! Tallships on the Derwent

Watch the stately tallships on the Derwent river as they near Hobart


The Europa leads the Oosterschelde up the River Derwent towards Hobart. Picture: Sam Rosewarne Source: Mercury

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WITH the wind in their sails, some of the world's most majestic tall ships made for a spectacular sight on the River Derwent yesterday, turning back the clock to Hobart's 18th century nautical roots.

Spectators lined the shores of the Derwent and took to the water in yachts, motor-boats, kayaks and jet-skis to get a glimpse of the seven vessels approaching for Tall Ships Hobart 2013 -- the biggest fleet of tall ships to visit the city since Australia's bicentennial celebrations in 1988.

The flotilla left Melbourne last Sunday for the voyage down Tasmania's West Coast.

After making good time in favourable weather conditions some of the ships decided to make the trickier passage between Maatsuyker Island and the Tasmanian mainland, leaving sailors awestruck by the rugged beauty of the rarely seen South-West wilderness.

The Young Endeavour -- gifted to Australia by the UK as part of the Bicentennial celebrations -- was first to make it to Hobart yesterday, docking at Macquarie Wharf at 8.30am before later moving to Elizabeth St Pier.

[Tall ships arrive]

After the Sydney-based Soren Larsen and Hobart's own Windeward Bound sailed in about noon, hundreds of people began to gather on Elizabeth Pier to await the arrival of the Dutch trio Oosterschelde, Europa and Tecla and the UK's Lord Nelson, creating a buzz on the waterfront not seen since winter's Dark Mofo and Festival of Voice.

And, like many star attractions, the Dutch ships kept their fans waiting by being fashionably late.

But they drew an audible gasp from the crowd when they were finally sighted in Sullivans Cove just after 1.30pm.

Held in association with Sydney's International Naval Fleet Review -- a celebration of 100 years of the Royal Australian Navy -- Tall Ships Hobart 2013 represents an early start to the city's summer season of festivals and events.

Given the ongoing popularity of the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race and the biennial Australian Wooden Boat Festival, more than 50,000 people are expected to head to the waterfront to see the tall ships over the next five days.

With the carnival music of Hobart's re-located vintage carousel blaring behind her, Premier Lara Giddings officially launched the festival yesterday afternoon, welcoming the "handsome" ships and the boost their presence will give the local economy.

Last night the fleet was welcomed to Hobart with a spectacular fireworks display, which mesmerised hundreds of onlookers lining the Hobart waterfront from 7.30.

The night sky was alight with fountains of colour, which showered behind the silhouettes of the docked tall ships.

The display elicited gasps and cheers from all ages in the crowd, while stunned silence followed the ships' own finale: a chorus of booming horns.

"It's great to see so many people in Hobart have come out to welcome the ships into town," said onlooker Izaak Brown, of Hobart.

"There seems to be more and more events in Hobart and it's great to see the community out supporting them."

 




ooroo

If you don't hear the knock of opportunity - build a door.

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