Heute ging es zwischen den Whitsunday Inseln hin und her und zweimal gab es die Möglichkeit zum Schnorcheln bzw zum Tauchen.
Und natürlich auch um jede Menge Spass beim ‚Tarzan-Swing‘ zu haben…
An dieser Stelle möchten wir nun die wirklich interessante Geschichte der Solway Lass (leider nur auf Englisch) mal darlegen die uns die Crew und der Kapitän am Vorabend erläutert hat….
AMAZING HISTORY:
Built 1902 in Holland of German steel with timber decking as a sail powered cargo vessel.
Originally named ‚Stina’. In 1905 sold and renamed to „Adolf“, working in and around the Baltic and North Sea. In 1915 seized as a prize of war by the British and used as a Q-Ship (U-Boot-Falle/ Lockvogel) during WW1. Only 5 % of the Q-ships survive the war.
At the end of WW1, worked as a coal, produce and stone carrying vessel between Liverpool and Scottish Ports. In 1924 sold to a Scottish firm in the Solway Firth where she was renamed Solway Lass.
When WW2 broke out the Germans seized Solvay Lass as a prize of war where she was used to supply their armed forces. During the war Solway Lass hit a mine and was badly damaged, however the Germans repaired the hull because Solway Lass was useful as a sail-powered icebreaker.
After WW2 Solway Lass served in the South Pacific as a Cargo Vessel. In 1983 a Sydney Businessman purchased Solway Lass in Fiji. From 1983 to 1985 Solway Lass was rebuilt and in 1988 took pride of place in the 1st Fleet re-enactment of the tall ships into Sydney Harbour.
Late 1998 Southern Cross Sailing Adventures purchased Solway Lass from Matilda Cruises Sydney. Early 1999 remodelled for overnight 3 day & 3 night sailing holidays in the Whitsundays.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Length 127ft (33m) including bow sprit.
- Beam of 20ft
- Weight 170 tonnes.
- Flotation depth only 2.5 meter
- 11 sails with a sail area of 5500 square feet.
- 11 Air conditioned guest cabins,
- fully covered saloon/bar area complete with bar.
- Separate male and female bathrooms with domestic style toilets and hot showers.
- 240V Power available.
OPPORTUNITIES:
Solway Lass provides guests with the opportunity to experience sailing as it was a century ago. Guests are welcome to assist the crew hoist the sails and steer the ship, or otherwise just relax on the huge decks and take in the views the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park provides. Lay in the bow net while the water washes 12ft below and onto the bow.
Relax in the bar area, read a book, make new friends, enjoy an icy cold drink. When at anchor, have a swing on our 50ft Tarzan Rope….Ahhhhhhh! A unique way to enter the water.
