Happy 151st Anniversary City of Adelaide/Carrick

I am feeling very nostalgic tonight. Celebrations are taking place tonight on board Bradley Barge on which sits the wonderful, oldest surviving clipper ship in the world, City of Adelaide aka SV Carrick with whom I voyaged on board MV Palanpur. I say “whom” because she is a living, breathing entity.

On our voyage I wrote a diary in tandem with that of someone who was on the maiden voyage in 1864. Her Day One was 12 August 1864, my Day One was 26 November 2013, leaving Rotterdam en route for South Australia. This is an extract for 7 November 1864. This was her day 87, the final one in her voyage from Plymouth, England to Port Adelaide, South Australia. Our diaries are the core of my up-and-coming book which I’m bringing to a conclusion now. Keep looking back for more news. You are most welcome.

 

“A beautiful day.  I woke about 5am and saw land from the porthole.  We went on Deck nearly  an hour before breakfast.  The land at first looked rather low and barren.  We were busy packing in the morning.  After lunch addresses were presented to the Captain and Doctor.  We anchored about noon.  The health officer came on board immediately ……..”

 

 

 

Happy Anniversary Clipper Ship City of Adelaide

Today is the 150th Anniversary of the maiden voyage of clipper ship City of Adelaide.  She was built in Sunderland by William Pile and left London headed for South Australia on 6th August 1864.  Photo from Wikipedia.

WilliamPileBust.jpg

William Pile and I share the same birthday – though I hasten to add, not the same birth year!

I was lucky to voyage with City of Adelaide on board heavy-lift cargo ship M V Palanpur, leaving Rotterdam on 26 November 2013 and arriving in Port Adelaide on 3 February 2014 after 70 days at sea.

Captain David Bruce was City of Adelaide‘s first Master and part-owner.  Photo from Wikipedia.

Capt_David_Bruce_ca1864

I was delighted to meet Captain Bruce’s great-granddaughter Pam Whittle at a Reception to welcome City of Adelaide home, on board one of Port Adelaide’s cruise boats Dolphin Explorer.  Pam is an amazing lady with two sparkling daughters, Meredith and Julia and all have become treasures in my life.  This photo gives the scale of size of City of Adelaide, thanks to Meredith for sending me it.

Jumbo Jet and City of Adelaide

… and here I am.  I stayed on board Palanpur until City of Adelaide was off loaded onto the barge Bradley, her temporary home.

Outer Harbour, Port Adelaide. City of Adelaide being 'skidded' off MV Palanpur onto barge Bradley, her temporary home.

Thank you for looking!  I hope to see you again soon.

Rita