While we were out on our scavenger hunt yesterday in Nelson Bay I noticed this boat at the marina, in the form of an authentic Chinese junk which is a 50 foot three masted boat named Shaolin.
I had to go into Nelson Bay this morning so tried to get a photo of it at the marina. I must go back again and get another shot with its sails up.
I think I can feel another photo club outing opportunity here too. I had a chat to Russell the owner, who brought the boat to Nelson Bay from Port Douglas in Far North Queensland.
Here is the Shaolin’s history for those who are interested.
Shaolin was built for a retired US Naval Officer at the dock yards in Hong Kong harbour. Her keel was laid in1965 and was built in the traditional way; she was launched in 1966 and named “Gloria Marie”. She has had an amazing history, “Gloria Marie” has circumnavigated the world twice, been through two cyclones, has been a listening post for the CIA off the coast of China, after China she spent many years sailing the Pacific collecting rare and valuable shells which paid for the running costs of the “ Gloria Marie”. At some stage she was also used as a drug runner boarded by pirates.
The vessel then headed to Brisbane via Sydney where the husband became ill and died. After two years the wife sold the boat and she returned to USA.
An Australian purchased her to Port Douglas where she was completely refitted at a cost of $450,000 (AU). The name was changed to “Shaolin”after Chinese religion and martial arts Sect. She then sailed the Pacific again mainly around New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. After two years she retuned back to her home base at Port Douglas in North Queensland. Shaolin was then refitted for charter work and began running from Port Douglas to Lowe Island on the Great Barrier Reef. She prided herself on running daily, 365 days of the year in any weather conditions, which is testament to the sea handling abilities.
She continued to run to Lowe Island on and off for 14 years with ownership changes four times. In 2010 she was sunk by Cyclone Yasi. She was purchased by her current owners and in 2011 Shaolin underwent a massive refit for two and a half years at a cost of $460,000, this has brought the grand old lady back to new condition. After relocating her down to Port Stephens Shaolin is now ready to start her new life operating out of Nelson bay Port Stephens to service the ever growing tourism industry.
Today's topic photo - Newcastle
http://365project.org/onewing/topics/2014-08-11
Thanks so much, she has certainly had an interesting life so far. Hopefully her life from now on will be happier. Fingers crossed no cyclones here too. I wouldn't have fancied digging her out of the water in Port Douglas, after cyclone Yasi, there are a lot of crocodiles up there.