James Craig

James Craig is a three-masted, iron-hulled barque, restored and sailed by the Sydney Heritage Fleet.

Built in 1874 in Sunderland, England, as Clan Macleod, she carried cargo around the world and rounded Cape Horn 23 times in 26 years. In 1900 she was acquired by Mr J.J. Craig, renamed James Craig and operated between New Zealand and Australia and until 1911.

Like many sailing ships of her vintage, she could not compete with steam ships and was used as a collier and later laid up, then used as a hulk until she was abandoned in Tasmania. In 1932 she was sunk by fishermen who blasted a 3-metre hole in her stern.

Restoration began in 1972, when volunteers from what is now the Sydney Heritage Fleet refloated her and towed her to Hobart for initial repairs. Towed back to Sydney in 1981, her hull was placed on a submersible pontoon to allow access. Over twenty-five years, she was restored, repaired by paid craftspeople and volunteers and relaunched in 1997. In 2001 restoration was completed and she now goes to sea again.

James Craig is one of only four 19th century barques that go regularly to sea. She sails out through the Sydney heads fortnightly, when not on voyages to Melbourne, Newcastle or Hobart. She is sailed in the 19th century manner entirely by volunteers. Her running rigging consists of 140 lines secured to belaying pins and spider bands. Many of the crew know each rope by name. She achieved 11.3 knots on a return voyage from Melbourne in February 2006, “loving every minute of it!”

James Craig is berthed at Wharf 7, and takes passengers on the Harbour and beyond. She is crewed and maintained by volunteers from the Sydney Heritage Fleet. Maintenance costs nearly $1 million a year and she relies on visitors alongside, charters, events, and fortnightly daysails with up to 80 passengers.

Sources

  • The James Craig restoration: archived website from the James Craig Restoration Division, Sydney Heritage Fleet, 1999–2002

  • Jeff Toghill, The James Craig: her history, recovery and restoration

  • Jeff Toghill, The James Craig story

  • Michael York, All Hands on Deck, The Restoration of the James Craig

Related Items

Further Reading