Our maritime history lives on, and it's yours to share.
* Cruise to Newcastle on board James Craig. Details here
* Farewell the Sydney-Hobart fleet on board James Craig! Details here
* Celebrate New Year's Eve at a prime position on Sydney Harbour on board James Craig! Details here
1902 VIP steam launch Lady Hopetoun
The Lady Hopetoun and Port Jackson Marine Steam Museum, the forerunner of the Sydney Heritage Fleet, was founded in 1965 by a group of public-spirited individuals to preserve Sydney's 1902 VIP steam yacht Lady Hopetoun. The organisation later became known as the Sydney Maritime Museum Limited. In 1998 the museum adopted the trading name Sydney Heritage Fleet. The Fleet now comprises 10 historical vessels which is amongst the largest such collection in Australia.
A community-based non-profit organisation, the Fleet's mission is to: build and maintain an internationally recognised centre of excellence in maritime heritage for the benefit of all Australians by presenting through research, acquisition, conservation, restoration, education and operation, our continuing maritime history. The Fleet is funded through donations, membership subscriptions and income from vessel charters and tours.
The Fleet's 1200 strong membership and 650 dedicated volunteer workers restore, operate and maintain the fleet of vintage vessels. In the process they preserve traditional technical methods and skills.
1902 steam tug Waratah
The Fleet's oldest vessel, the 1874 iron barque James Craig, has been fully restored and regularly puts to sea under full sail. The Fleet also operates three of the most historically significant vessels on Sydney Harbour: the 1902 steam tug Waratah, the 1902 VIP steam launch Lady Hopetoun and the 1903 schooner Boomerang.
Other operational vessels include: Protex, the 1908 inner-harbour motor launch; Harman, the 1947 ex-RAN harbour workboat/passenger motor boat; Berrima, the 1954 general Botany Bay workboat/passenger motor boat; and Kookaburra II, the 1950s wooden speed boat.
Under restoration are the 1912 ferry Kanangra, and the 1927 pilot vessel John Oxley.
The Fleet also has 55 small heritage boats and one of the largest collections of marine engines in Australia which are being restored and conserved. The Fleet's collection includes over fifty model ships, including models of some of the Fleet's own vessels.
The Fleet's Maritime Records and Research Centre maintains a comprehensive research library and archive which includes photographs, ships' plans, diaries, logs and journals.
The Sydney Heritage Fleet made significant contributions towards the establishment of the Australian National Maritime Museum which opened at Darling Harbour in 1991. Whilst the two organisations differ, they do play complementary roles, the Sydney Heritage Fleet placing an emphasis on preservation, restoration and operation of heritage vessels.
1874 barque James Craig
1902 steam tug Waratah
