Report on the Brisbane Waters History & Heritage Cruise on catamaran, “Sorrento”.
Date: Thursday 21st February 2019
Thirty Arthur Phillip Chapter members and friends caught the train from Gordon (with others boarding along the way), alighting at Woy Woy Station and making the 10 minute walk to Woy Woy Wharf. Others joined our group so the Central Coast Ferry was fairly full. The cruise departed on time for a 3-hour history and heritage cruise of Brisbane Waters.
Local historian, Peter Ray, made a comprehensive and entertaining presentation on the area in general, as well as describing the local boat-building industry. His talk was supported by an A/V screen displaying graphics, historic and onsite photos. We sailed past Blackwall, Brook Bay, Umina, Ettalong, Empire Bay, Davistown, Saratoga, East and West Gosford, Point Clare, Tascott and Koolewong.
Peter described Governor Arthur Phillip’s exploration of Brisbane Waters - only weeks after establishing the colony in Sydney. We heard about the time when the waterways were the highways; the timber-getting in the great forests; wooden vessel building; the Maitland shipwreck, Woy Woy Tunnel (the longest in Australia) – and more. The cloudy windless day was somewhat cooler than we had been experiencing recently, making it a most pleasant day on the water. Morning tea was served on board during the cruise and, on our return, we crossed to the Bayview Hotel Bistro to make our own choice of a light lunch from the menu board.
Feedback on the cruise was very positive – everyone enjoyed hearing the history talk, viewing the expansive waterway and shoreline from the ferry, and enjoying each other’s company.
Audio of the Central Coast Cruise presentation, click: Listen to our mp3 here
Click to open this link to read Daily Telegraph’s article on the area’s rich boat-building past:
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/central-coast/brisbane-waters-rich-and-prolific-boatbuilding-past-will-be-brought-to-life-in-an-exhibition/news-story/cbfa028416cd93e023f2d3053d79ea00
Click to open this link to read about the Woy Woy tunnel project:
https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4800112
Click to read about the story of the wreck of HMAS Patricia Cam - a wooden motor vessel built by G Beattie at Brisbane Waters, NSW.
http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-patricia-cam
© Arthur Phillip Chapter of Fellowship of First Fleeters 2019-
Images: Courtesy of Chapter members; from the internet.
Montage of photos:
Date: Thursday 21st February 2019
Thirty Arthur Phillip Chapter members and friends caught the train from Gordon (with others boarding along the way), alighting at Woy Woy Station and making the 10 minute walk to Woy Woy Wharf. Others joined our group so the Central Coast Ferry was fairly full. The cruise departed on time for a 3-hour history and heritage cruise of Brisbane Waters.
Local historian, Peter Ray, made a comprehensive and entertaining presentation on the area in general, as well as describing the local boat-building industry. His talk was supported by an A/V screen displaying graphics, historic and onsite photos. We sailed past Blackwall, Brook Bay, Umina, Ettalong, Empire Bay, Davistown, Saratoga, East and West Gosford, Point Clare, Tascott and Koolewong.
Peter described Governor Arthur Phillip’s exploration of Brisbane Waters - only weeks after establishing the colony in Sydney. We heard about the time when the waterways were the highways; the timber-getting in the great forests; wooden vessel building; the Maitland shipwreck, Woy Woy Tunnel (the longest in Australia) – and more. The cloudy windless day was somewhat cooler than we had been experiencing recently, making it a most pleasant day on the water. Morning tea was served on board during the cruise and, on our return, we crossed to the Bayview Hotel Bistro to make our own choice of a light lunch from the menu board.
Feedback on the cruise was very positive – everyone enjoyed hearing the history talk, viewing the expansive waterway and shoreline from the ferry, and enjoying each other’s company.
Audio of the Central Coast Cruise presentation, click: Listen to our mp3 here
Click to open this link to read Daily Telegraph’s article on the area’s rich boat-building past:
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/central-coast/brisbane-waters-rich-and-prolific-boatbuilding-past-will-be-brought-to-life-in-an-exhibition/news-story/cbfa028416cd93e023f2d3053d79ea00
Click to open this link to read about the Woy Woy tunnel project:
https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4800112
Click to read about the story of the wreck of HMAS Patricia Cam - a wooden motor vessel built by G Beattie at Brisbane Waters, NSW.
http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-patricia-cam
© Arthur Phillip Chapter of Fellowship of First Fleeters 2019-
Images: Courtesy of Chapter members; from the internet.
Montage of photos:
Distant view of the waterway
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Map showing the route of the cruise
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Sorento waiting at the wharf
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The attentive audience
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Peter Ray, historian, delivering his audio-visual presentation
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Remains of the wreck of the ship, Maitland
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HMAS Patricia Cam - a wooden motor vessel built by G Beattie at Brisbane Waters, NSW
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A recreational area for sailing boats, yachts, and many other types of watercraft
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