June 5 marked the 150th anniversary of the launching of the May Queen

The 5th of June this year marked the 150th anniversary of the launching of the sailing ketch, May Queen. Vessels of a similar design provided the vital transport connections between early settlements along the coastline of Australia and other countries.

The May Queen is the last surviving vessel of her type in the southern hemisphere and the third oldest in the world. So she has international significance. Locally, the importance of vessels like May Queen in the early European history of Tasmania is immense. They provided the means by which settlers were able to obtain goods and food supplies and to transport the products of their labours from agriculture, timber-getting and sawmilling.

Over the years, May Queen carried many items that helped to ensure the industrial and rural development of southern Tasmania. Timber for construction of the ‘Zinc Works’, road bridges, causeways, railway sleepers, roof shingles, as well as coal and sandstone, sheep, feed for livestock, steel railway lines, boilers and occasionally taking injured farmers and their wives to hospital.

The survival of the May Queen for over a century and a half is a remarkable achievement and is due to the continued value of the craft, initially as an economically viable goods carrying craft and then as an historical icon.

It is even more remarkable that she is still afloat today, as she sank on two occasions during her working life. Once, in 1888, when she heeled over during a squall and sank off Huon Island. Luckily a Royal Navy ship in port at the time was able to send down a diver who found her upright with sails all set. Then in 1940, she sank at the Dover wharf after being overloaded. As we can see, she was successfully refloated on both occasions.

“Many people drive or walk past May Queen every day. She is part of Hobart’s character and waterfront heritage. But perhaps they don’t realise just how much time, effort and money goes into keeping her float. While we have committed volunteers and supporters, we still need financial assistance to ensure May Queen can survive for many years into the future,” said Bob Chesterman, May Queen Trust board member. “So we would encourage anyone who wishes to make a tax-deductible donation, to contact the Trust, or via our friends at the Maritime Museum just across the road from the May Queen.”

On Friday, 30 June, the May Queen Trust will be hosting a display at Constitution Dock, showing the wide variety of goods and produce carried by May Queen during her long trading life. In addition, Mr Mike Patten, will demonstrate the splitting of shingles on the dock. Don Norton, a photographer and former employee of Purdon and Featherstone slipyard at Battery Point, will be in attendance. A number of his images will be on display. And there will many volunteers available on the day for media interviews.
John Wadsley, Maritime Heritage Coordinator, The May Queen Trust