“Well, what are you doing for Father’s Day?  Will it be Jocks, Socks, Chocs ?

Or will you be travelling with me aboard a 2 mast 3 sail ketch escorting Tall Ships on the Port River to Outer Harbour and out into the Gulf. “

 

I am Phill Pawson newly elected President of the Noarlunga and Southern District Camera Club.

That’s what I asked the members of the Noarlunga Camera Club assembled for one of our twice monthly meetings. 

That’s how the latest of the NSDCC day outing started.
It was many weeks before that the plan hatched. A chance reference that I had come across on the internet referred to the marking of the Centenary of the Royal Australian Navy with, amongst other things, a Tall Ship sail past in Sydney. This led to a story of a British ship and three Dutch ships sailing into Port Adelaide.

 

How to get out alongside on their way in or out? On the SA Maritime Museum and the ‘One And All’ web sites a link to
Blue Ice Charters and the ‘Solomon Ophir’

I rang – yes they would be available for the day (Sunday) but would need minimum numbers.
I spread the word and assembled 20 or so members, associates and independent photographers.
We assembled at the Royal SA Yacht Squadron at Outer Harbour early Sunday morning.

 

Safely on board by 8:30 we stowed our gear and assembled for our safety demonstration on deck. Assured there were enough
life jackets to go around we set off and headed for the port.
We waited near Snowden’s Beach; the bridges opened on time and out came the first of the expected 100 escort ships and boats.
A grand sight! Brightly coloured flags adorned the rigging. Our intrepid photographers lined the rails, cameras at the ready and
then it happened. A Tall Ship squeezed past the open bridges and towards us.  The Barque ‘Europa’ led the way! 

 

 

Sail Training Ship ‘Europa’ a classic three-master.
The Special purpose sail training ship ‘Europa’ was built in 1911.
In 1994 she was fully restored as a barque (three mast rigged ship)
and now roams the seas of the world in the best seafaring tradition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a sight it was! Our skipper manoeuvred through the smaller vessels and soon we were tracking alongside.  The roar of shutters was amazing.  I would hate to guess how many images were taken in those first few minutes.  We were travelling slowly; ‘Europa’ cruised past us giving us a near perfect view. Although the sun was in a difficult direction, none were disappointed.

 

We turned back after a short while just in time to see the Adelaide based Sail Training vessel ‘One And All’ pass by the bridges.  Our Skipper manoeuvred back and around on a parallel path and we had a wonderful view of ‘One And All’ bearing down on our stern.  Maybe a bit too close? Great skill by our skipper allowed the ‘One And All’ to pass by on our starboard side - sensational!
The close view allowed us to see the crew climbing out on the bow spit and up the mast to the cross arms. We can be proud of our local Tall Ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turning back again we discover the remaining two Tall Ships passing the Bridges.  The ‘Oosterschelde’ with the ‘Tecla’ close behind.  Both Ships pass so close, we are having a great time. I have exhausted my supply of film and return to my digital camera. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We look ahead to see where the other ships are. They have hoisted their sails and look a grand sight ahead of us. So many small craft surround them, it is amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are alongside ‘Tecla’ as we pass by the Outer Harbour Terminal. The crew are hoisting their sails as well. No fancy electric or hand cranked winches here. It is a hard slog; two crew hauling on ropes, the sound of the block & tackle and the sound of the sails, it is intoxicating. I want be on board with them!
We follow them out into the Gulf. Our skipper sets off to catch the early leavers.  We are soon behind ‘Europa’.  So many other craft in the way, don’t they know all we want is a clear shot?  Then suddenly there it is a small opening for that elusive clear shot. Got it, (I think) well hope so.  Our skipper pulls alongside ‘Europa’. A beautiful full side on, another clean shot in the bag.

Our skipper swings past ‘Oosterschelde’.  We travel down the starboard side, across the bow and back along the port side.  More clean shots, many small craft are still around us, sails are up, sun is shining, gentle wind just enough to fill the sails….

We turn back; hard to believe we have been on board for nearly 4 hours.  There is ‘Tecla’, all sails deployed, a beautiful sight. Our crew return us safely to the Royal SA Yacht Squadron at Outer Harbour.  We are all too soon tied up and disembarking.  Lots of smiles, new friends bid farewell. A morning well spent.

The ‘Lord Nelson’, the fourth Tall Ship remained in Port.  I returned the next day to see it off as well (is it she or he?) waiting at the Outer Harbour Terminal.  After a short wait, out came the Lord Nelson. Not many small ships as an escort, in fact just the Pilot boat (no not a Pirate!) A bit disappointing as no sails up, but still a wonderful sight.

On the way home we stopped at Semaphore. Looking out to sea we could just make out ‘Lord Nelson’ and closing in rapidly was ‘One And All’ in full sail. They saluted and went on their way. A dramatic end to the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So what did you do that day? Was it Jocks, Socks, Chocs? Or did you see the Tall Ships off like us?
Phill Pawson
ps Hope I have the nautical terms correct.