Polly Woodside facts for kids
Polly Woodside is an iron-hulled, three-masted barque currently forming the major attraction of the Melbourne Maritime Museum.
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Owner |
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| Builder | Workman, Clark & Co, Belfast |
| Launched | 7 November 1885 |
| In service | 7 December 1885 |
| Renamed | Rona, 1904 |
| Reclassified | Coal lighter 1922 |
| Homeport | Belfast, Northern Ireland (1885–1904), Lyttelton, New Zealand (1904–1912), Auckland, New Zealand (1912–1923), Sydney, Australia (1923–1925), Melbourne, Australia (1925–current) |
| Identification | KDCN |
| Status | Museum ship since 1968 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Cargo |
| Type | Iron hull, Barque rig |
| Tonnage | 678 gross |
| Length | Hull:192.2 ft (58.6 m)LOA:230 ft (70 m) |
| Beam | 30.15 ft (9.19 m) |
| Height | 108 ft (33 m) (mainmast) |
| Draught | 14 ft (4.3 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Speed | 14 kt |
| Capacity | 1,100 tons |
| Complement | less than 15 |
Polly Woodside is a famous old sailing ship, built in Belfast, Ireland. It has three masts and a strong iron body. Today, you can find it in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia), where it's a main attraction at the South Wharf area. The ship was first launched in 1885. Polly Woodside is a great example of the many iron sailing ships built long ago. These ships traveled all over the world, carrying goods as cheaply as possible.
Contents
Polly Woodside's Early Journeys (1885-1904)
Polly Woodside was built in 1885 by Workman, Clark and Co. in Belfast. On November 7, 1885, it was launched into the water. Mrs. Marian Woodside, the owner's wife, named the ship after herself, "Polly."
The ship, led by Captain Gilbert Yeates, worked as a cargo vessel. This means it carried goods like coal, nitrate, and wheat. It sailed between British ports and ports in South America, such as Montevideo and Buenos Aires. Between 1885 and 1903, it made 16 long trips. Many of these journeys involved sailing around the very stormy Cape Horn. The ship usually had a small crew of fewer than 20 people.
A New Name and New Adventures (1904-1922)
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In 1904, Polly Woodside was sold to a company in New Zealand. It was renamed Rona, after Miss Rona Monro. The ship then mostly sailed between New Zealand and Australia. It carried things like timber, salt, cement, grain, and coal.
During World War I (1914-1918), many ships were lost. Because of this, Rona also sailed between New Zealand and San Francisco. It carried oil and copra (dried coconut meat). The ship had a couple of small accidents during these years. In 1920, another ship bumped into Rona in San Francisco. In 1921, Rona ran aground (hit the bottom) near Wellington with a load of coal. Luckily, the damage was minor.
Working as a Coal Hulk (1922-1962)
By the early 1920s, most countries stopped using sailing ships for trade. It became too expensive to operate them. In 1921, Rona was put out of service. It was then sold to the Adelaide Steamship Company in Australia. Its new job was to be a coal hulk. A coal hulk is an old ship used to store and deliver coal to other ships.
Rona arrived in Sydney in 1922 and was stripped down for its new role. In 1925, it was moved to Melbourne. For the next 40 years, it quietly supplied coal to ships in the Port of Melbourne.
World War II Service
During the Second World War (1939-1945), Rona was needed for war efforts. In 1943, the Royal Australian Navy used it as a "dumb lighter." This meant it was a coal hulk that couldn't move by itself and had to be towed. It served in New Guinea waters, helping to supply other ships. It was a very important part of the navy's support fleet. After the war, in 1946, it was towed back to Melbourne. It continued its job as a coal hulk.
Saving Polly Woodside: From Hulk to Museum (Since 1968)
By the 1960s, Rona was one of the last old sailing ships still floating in Australia. Many people wanted to save these historic ships. Karl Kortum, from the San Francisco Maritime Museum, inspired Dr. Graeme Robertson to save Rona. Dr. Robertson worked with the National Trust of Australia.
Saving the ship was a huge challenge. The National Trust relied on volunteers and had no experience restoring a large sailing ship. But they had a big vision! After a long campaign, the National Trust bought the ship from Howard Smith Industries in 1968 for just one cent.
Restoration Efforts
Thousands of hours of hard work by volunteers brought the ship back to its original look. Businesses, unions, and even former crew members helped. Captain G.H. Heyen, a master sailor, led the restoration. Tor Lindqvist, an experienced sailor, was the chief rigger for 27 years.
In 1978, the ship opened to the public under its original name, Polly Woodside. It is now permanently docked at the old Duke and Orr's Dry Dock on the Yarra River in Melbourne. Because of a nearby road bridge, it can no longer sail the seas.
In 1988, the World Ship Trust gave Polly Woodside a special award. It was recognized for its "supreme achievement in the preservation of maritime heritage." This was the first time a merchant ship received such an honor. In March 2007, Polly Woodside was added to the Victorian Heritage Register. This list protects important historical places in Victoria.
Modern Upgrades and Dry Dock Works (After 2006)
Polly Woodside closed to visitors on April 30, 2006. This was for a big project to redevelop the southern bank of the Yarra River. A new Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre was being built right next to the ship.
On August 26, 2008, the ship was moved about 50 meters to a new spot on the Yarra River. This was its first move in 33 years! This allowed for a $13 million project to fix up its dry dock home, boardwalk, and nearby sheds. Between 2008 and May 2009, the water was pumped out of the dry dock. A special dam wall was built at the entrance. The bottom of the dry dock was dug out, and strong supports were built. These supports allow Polly Woodside to sit safely for future repairs.
On May 19, 2009, the dam gates opened, and water flowed back into the dry dock. Polly Woodside returned to its home. The ship reopened to the public on December 23, 2010. It continues to be a beloved museum ship today.
