James Craig - Sydney to Hobart

Strong winds have kept us pinned alongside Spring Bay Wharf today, but
the ship was a hive of activity, and artist Ian Hansen painted the name of
the ship on the wharf, next to a silhouette of her at anchor.  For lunch,
crayfish and abalone, followed by a concert by The James Craig Reeelers.  At
1730 tugs ´Kiera´ & ´Sydney Cove´ prepared to heave us off.  The latter
vessel towed The Craig from Recherche Bay to Hobart after her salvage in
1973, and in keeping with tradition they offered their service free.  We
couldn´t have done it without them, as the wind was blowing 35 knots,
gusting at 40. The tugs came at very short notice, so ship´s company had to
snap into routine, and the ship was under way. We proceeded down Mercury
Passage, making 15 degrees leeway, despite the wind having eased to 20 kts.
Rugged scenery became shrouded by night, and the Milky Way scored a path for
us across the sky.
Tasman Island was doubled soon after midnight, bringing a sudden change to
the ship.  From a pleasant cruise down the coast, suddenly the ship was
battling heavy rolling, then pitching to a short, sharp swell.  Rod & Deb
copped a beauty over the bow, and Rusty the dog found safety in the arms of
Sybil in her hammock, and they almost became airborne together!
It was a brief battle.  By 0400 we rounded Dead Man´s Island and into the
peaceful anchorage of Carnarven Bay. Salt-caked sailors woke to the
picturesque scenery of Port Arthur, enveloped in dark history, but as pretty
as a post card.
Our old girl was cleaned fore & aft, and Jocelyn Nettlefold from ABC TV
clambered aboard to interview Captain Ken and Alan Edenborough. Look out for
us on the ABC 7:30 Report, Wednesday or Thursday night this week!