James Craig - Sydney to Melbourne

´We towed up the Yarra past the glass bottle factory at
Spotswood, and secured alongside a berth in the swinging basin . . .
No sooner were we tied up than word came for´ard that the ´Craig´ was
to go on to Hobart as a hulk, and she would sail no more.´
So reads Alan Villiers´ account of ´James Craig´s last visit to
Melbourne, in 1921*. Today´s arrival is a much happier account,
beginning with a bright morning and the promise of a very hot day. At
0930 guests are received from ´M.V. Nepean´ and anchor is weighed for
the march up the bay. Our 120 guests are from The Children Cancer
Centre Foundation or ´Myroom´, as they are also known. Not an easy
day for them, with a merciless sun and not a breath of wind. Sailing
is not an option.
Melbourne´s own tops´l schooner, ´Enterprize´, is out to meet us. She
is a particularly lovely little wooden ship, a faithful replica of
the first vessel to bring settlers to Melbourne, in 1836. The
flotilla of boats that have come to join us grows, and by the time we
enter the Yarra River a very large and colourful fleet surrounds us.
The mouth and throat of the Yarra is an industrial area; nothing
glamorous about it, and nothing pretentious. With our tall masts, the
furthest we can travel is to the new Bolte Bridge, where we make a
turn and berth alongside at 21 South Wharf.
We are greeted by parties from The National Trust of Victoria and the
1885 barque ´Polly Woodside´, plus friends and family of our crew,
with a banner, ´Melbourne welcomes James Craig, back after 85 years´.
All are invited aboard, and speeches are promptly made. Diane
Weidner, Chairman of The National Trust (Victoria), presents us with
a fine pair of crystal glasses; the names ´Polly Woodside´ and ´James
Craig´ inscribed on the rims. ´James´ and ´Polly´ are very similar
ships, although ´Polly´ is yet to be restored to the same glorious
sea-going condition that ´James´ is in. We hope that Victorians will
one day enjoy the same delights that we have, and they are challenged
to a race, once their beautiful barque is set free to sail again.
The crew are off to dinner, and The James Craig Reeelers are rushed
to the ABC Studios to talk to ´The Coodabeens´ about their
adventures, and to sing a few songs, live on national radio. Back on
board we are treated to the strange sight of the Volvo 70 boats being
tipped on their side to fit under the bridge, followed by a
spectacular display of fireworks. So concludes a successful passage
to Melbourne. We have a very busy time ahead whilst here, of which a
summary will be sent. On 7th February we are due to depart for our
return to Sydney.
*Alan Villiers, born in Melbourne in 1903, went to sea in ´James
Craig´ in 1920-21. He went on to become a well-known author, and an
account of his time in the ´Craig´ can be seen in his book, ´The Set
of the Sails´. --- James Parbery