MELBOURNE: SHIP ENTERPRIZE

on 30 august 1835, the vessel "enterprize", coming from tasmania and sailing through port phillip bay, reached the yarra river and moored there. the captain was peter hunter. nine people arrived, including a draughtsman, two carpenters, a ploughman and a blacksmith. after disembarking, they build their store and cleared land to grow vegetables. this was the foundation of melbourne! twenty years ago a group of people interested in history, in civilization, in endeavours and in traditional ships, came up with a grand plan - to create a replica of the vessel which enabled the beginning of melbourne. it was build in williamstown and launched in 1997. it is - of course - called "enterprize". this magnificent sail ship it is 27 m long, and the top mast is 19 m above waterline. it is owned and managed by the enterprize ship trust, a non-profit organisation. since about a decade regular trips are on offer, lasting a couple of hours. occasionally 5-day excursions are offered, available for up to 8 passengers - who have to help with about every task ... i can confirm that short trips and even more so long trips, which include several landings with a dinghy, are exciting and a great pleasure.