Or perhaps a Sea Shanty
A large tall ship in Hobart Town
Its masts did reach the sky
A white cloud upon the ocean
When it goes sailing by.
The James Craig is the vessel’s name
A large three masted barque
One of four tall ships still on the sea
A grand old patriarch
Launched in Eighteen Seventy-Four
Home port was the U.K.
Twenty-six times It passed Cape Horn
A greyhound of her day,
It sailed out of New Zealand
Made three Tasman trips a year
But steam ships were gaining ground
The end was drawing near
James had a stint in Hobart Town
With IXL Henry Jones
Before crossing the Pacific
With stores in World War One
A coal hulk in Recherche Bay
James lost the will to live,
It was scuttled in Recherche Bay
James had no more to give.
For fifty long years James sat there
Slowly rusting on the sand,
When the Maritime Museum
From Sydney lent a hand.
They patched Old James with plywood
So that ship would float again
Then towed James up to Sydney
Where the rebuild began
After thirty years of careful work
James Craig would sail once more
Each two years we see the barque
Sail into Hobart ‘s shore
For fifteen decades and counting
This ship has survived it all,
Once more at sea for twenty years
So beautiful and tall.
A large tall ship in Hobart Town
Its masts did reach the sky
A white cloud upon the ocean
When it goes sailing by.
The James Craig is the vessel’s name
A large three masted barque
One of four tall ships still on the sea
A grand old patriarch
Bill Edmunds
Wooden Boat Festival
February 2025
billedmunds.com
Bill Edmunds 