Recovery - 1971 to 1973

On hearing that an American museum was interested in refloating the old wreck in southern Tasmania, a small but enthusiastic Sydney group known as the Lady Hopetoun and Port Jackson Marine Steam Museum began moves to attempt to recover the barque themselves with a view to restoring her and using her as a floating museum in Sydney.

The salvage tug comes alongside with
giant pumps in an effort to pump the hull dry.

In 1971 and 1972 great efforts were made to ascertain the overall condition of a hull riddled with holes at the waterlevel, with the bottom obscured by a thick layer of mud, coal and rubbish. Eventually with temporary patches and much work she floated again, showing that the bottom of her hull was intact. With further work she was patched sufficiently to allow her to be towed to Hobart in May 1973.

Full steam ahead. With the difficult part
of the tow behind, the James Craig heads at
speed into the River Derwent.

Money ran thin, and it was not until 1981 that she was patched and strengthened sufficiently to allow her to be towed to Sydney for restoration.

There is much more information on her recovery here.