The May Queen is the oldest sailing ketch in Australia that’s still afloat.
She was built in 1867 on the shore of the Huon River at Franklin, and spent over a hundred years transporting all types of cargo – including timber and apples – between Hobart and other towns and settlements around Tasmania. The ship also competed in several Royal Hobart Regattas, even winning her class nine times.
The May Queen’s career was not without accidents, however. She sustained damage on a few occasions during storms and collisions, and even sank twice. Despite these setbacks, she was always repaired and returned to service.
The ship was eventually retired in 1973 and donated to the Marine Board of Hobart. Later, after falling into disrepair, she was given to the May Queen Trust and was restored.
The May Queen is now over 155-years-old, and is tied up at Constitution Dock in Hobart.
Fast Facts
- The May Queen is 36 tons, 21 metres long, and 5.3 metres wide.
- Her hull is made of Tasmanian blue gum, the deck from Tasmanian celery top pine, and the spars from imported oregon.
- Designer and builder: Alexander Lawson.
Three men onboard the May Queen in 1895.
Tas That Was is a column that includes:
- anecdotes of life in Tasmania in the past;
- historical photographs of locations in Tasmania; and/or
- documentaries about locations in Tasmania.
If you have an anecdote or photograph you’d like to share with us, please send it to [email protected].
Callum J. Jones is passionate about telling stories. He studied English, History, and Journalism at the University of Tasmania and lived in Western Sydney from 2022 to 2024 while working as a journalist for Professional Planner, a leading online publication for financial planners. Callum has written for Tasmanian Times since 2018 and has also been published in a range of other outlets, including Quadrant and the BAD Western Sydney anthologies.
