Historic tall ship left to ruin

Is this a museum exhibit I wondered? Submerged on her mooring in Ross Creek beside the Museum of Tropical North Queensland, a tall mast and rigging is all I can see of the 115 ft, 121-year old sailing ship Defender.

Defender sunk on her mooring in Ross Creek, Townsville

This noble ship built from Australian wood in 1895 has been neglected over the years, rain water leaked from her deck into the lower part of the ship causing the old wooden Bass Strait Ketch to sink on January 5^th 2016.

Mr Les Dick the Defender’s current owner purchased the vessel in 1982. He restored her to her glory days in time to participate in the 1988 Australian Bicentenary re-enactment of the sailing of the First Fleet into Sydney harbour and tall ships race from Hobart to Sydney.

Bicentenary Flotilla 

Source:Google search (photographer unknown)

After the bicentenary spectacular she spent her time as a charter in the Whitsundays, until an engine room fire finished her cruising days. Members of the public are disappointed this historic ship was left to deteriorate over the past 8 years on her Ross Creek mooring where she was tied up after the fire.

The Defender sailing through the Whitsundays

Source:News Limited

The cost of her bicentenary restoration between 1982 and 1988 cost approximately $400,000, with more than half being public funds.

The Defender was originally built to be used as a trading vessel between Australian colonies, then broke records in 1923 for the fastest Bass Strait crossing, under 24 hours which earned her a reputation for speed. During WWII she was used to transport troops and supplies, she has had a very colourful history.

Following a court case between Maritime Safety Queensland and Mr Dick, MSQ contracted Pacific Marine Group to carry out her flotation in December 2016 and transportation to her new resting place in South Townsville. 

Defender salvaged and resting on a slipway in South Townsville

The cost of the salvage has not been disclosed and MSQ are seeking to recuperate salvage costs, from Mr Dick through the Courts.

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