150 Year Anniversary Celebrations of Manly Wharf & The Corso

CLASSIC SEA CRAFT TO MAKE BIG SPLASH AT MANLY WHARF AND CORSO’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

The tall ship James Craig; the superb Kookaburra II, the last of Sydney’s original wooden pleasure speedboats; and the glorious Sydney Flying Squadron’s replica fleet of 1950s era skiffs will give an air of authenticity and excitement the whole family will enjoy at celebrations to mark the 150th Anniversary of Manly Ferry Wharf and The Corso (Manly’s main thoroughfare) on Saturday 10 September 2005.

The superbly restored 1874 barque, the James Craig, will shoulder aside modern Jetcats to take pride of place moored at Manly Wharf in scenes reminiscent of the 19th Century origins of Manly, Australia’s favourite holiday destination. And don’t miss the grand departure of the James Craig at 5.30pm!

The Sydney Flying Squadron will make a spectacular Sail Past at 1.00pm, followed by a Sail Race at 2.00pm, in Manly Cove, in front of Manly Wharf and Skiff Club. This great event will be free to the public – so bring a picnic hamper and blanket.

Also bound to attract attention will be the classic 1950s era speedboat Kookabura II, which will be available for public viewing from 11.00am – 5.00pm, at Manly Wharf Pontoon outside Phoenix Restaurant.

A month of celebrations marking the 150th Anniversary of Manly Ferry Wharf and The Corso (Manly’s main thoroughfare) will include beachfront entertainments, exhibitions, community celebrations, games and lots of family fun. But the presence of much of Sydney Harbour’s maritime heritage in Manly on 10 September 2005 will be especially delightful.

“We are delighted to welcome this splendid vessel, the barque James Craig, to Manly for its first ever berthing North of the Harbour Bridge,” said the current Mayor of Manly, Dr Peter Macdonald.

The James Craig was built by Bartram, Haswell & Co. in Sunderland, England in 1874. Originally named Clan Macleod, her maiden voyage was to Peru. For 26 years she plied the trade routes of the world carrying general cargoes.

In 1900 she was purchased by Mr J J Craig of Auckland and in 1905 she was re-named James Craig. In 1932 she was abandoned and became beached after breaking her moorings in a storm and so she remained until 1972 when volunteers from the Australian Heritage Fleet re-floated her. She was towed to Sydney in 1981 and restoration work commenced. She was re-launched in February 2001, hoisting all her 21 sails for the first time in nearly 80 years.

“Our sincere thanks go to Sydney Ferries Corporation for moving Jetcat services to allow the James Craig to berth on the day,” said Dr Macdonald!

Kookaburra II is the last of the original wooden pleasure speedboats. Many speedboats ran in different parts of the harbour over the years but perhaps the best remembered were those that ran from Manly.

Very little encouragement was needed to buy a ticket from the sellers on the wharf, as a speedboat joyride offered speed and excitement not available elsewhere at the time. Kookaburra II is the only surviving example. She was built in the early 1950s by the Joyce Brothers, of Neutral Bay, Sydney

Sydney Flying Squadron is the oldest open boat club in the Southern Hemisphere and was founded by Mark Foy in 1896. Their replica fleet of seven skiffs are all pre 1950 with majority of equipment and gear identical to original.

“Throw down a rug on Manly Cove’s East Esplanade grass and watch as these magnificent vessels sail past,” said Dr Macdonald.

Website: www.manlyaustralia.com