Windeward Bound

Windeward Bound
Windeward Bound entering Sydney Harbour on 3 October 2013
History
Australia
Laid down: June 1992
Launched: 1996
General characteristics
Tons burthen: 91.7 tonnes
Length: 33 m (108 ft)
Beam: 6 m (20 ft)
Depth of hold: 2.95 m (9 ft 8 in)
Sail plan: Brigantine
Complement: 16

Windeward Bound is a two masted brigantine-rigged vessel based in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. The vessel is named after Lewis Winde, the builder of an 1848 Boston schooner on which Windeward Bound was modelled. It is constructed almost entirely of Tasmanian eucalypt, huon pine and Oregon pine, recycled from old boats and buildings. The hull is constructed of 5 cm hardwood strip planks, over epoxy-laminated douglas fir frames, spaced 38 cm (15 inches) apart. The stem, sternpost and keel are of epoxy-laminated Tasmanian blue gum and the decks are of huon and New Zealand kauri pines.

Windeward Bound is rigged with four square sails, three headsails, three staysails between the masts, a gaff mainsail and gaff topsail, totalling 12 sails in all. The total sail area is 402 m2 and the windage lever of the sails from the centre of lateral resistance8 is 9.87 m.

She is commonly used for training youth (of any age) to sail, offering training and voyages that last from anywhere between an hour or two to many weeks. In 2002-2003, the ship and her crew embarked on a successful circumnavigation voyage around Australia to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the first circumnavigation, charting and naming of the continent of Australia by Matthew Flinders.[1] During this voyage, the crew docked in most Australian ports and coastal communities, with the help of Coastcare, to spread the message for individuals and organisations to become actively involved in ground works to protect and manage coastal and marine environments.

The ship was also able to connect with local schools and community groups by performing a play recounting the adventures of Flinders in his circumnavigation through the play Roundabout, written by Les Winspear and performed by Theatre Alfresco.

On 3 June, 2004 Windeward Bound was subject to knockdown about 30 miles5 south of Gabo Island off the Victorian coast when a gust of near-hurricane force wind heeled the vessel about 68 degrees to starboard.

In October 2013 Windeward Bound participated in the International Fleet Review 2013 in Sydney, Australia.

References

  1. Davis, Graham. "Windeward Bound ends epic journey". Navy News. Retrieved 2008-02-19.

External links

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