Sailing Through Time

The May Queen has a long and interesting life and the following timeline captures many of the highlights. We are always interested to hear from people who might be able to fill in a gap in our timeline, or elaborate with a story. If you have any interesting bits of historical information about the May Queen please fill out our contact form with your details.

• 1865

  Construction of ketch commenced at Franklin based on wooden scale model by Alexander Lawson for
  William Thorpe. Built of stringy bark and blue gum. Planks fastened with trunnels.

• 5 June 1867

  May Queen launched at Franklin.

• 13 August 1867

  Owner registered as William Thorpe of Franklin.

• 15 August 1867

  Owner registered as John White tobacconist of Hobart.

• 22 August 1867

  Alexander Lawson died of heart attack.

• 8 January 1868 and 1 December 1868

  MQ won first of many Hobart Regatta Trading Ketch races Master W. Nichols and in December Master T. Oldham.

• 25 April 1870

  Owner registered as William Bell farmer of Franklin Island.

• 23 Janary 1871

  Regatta race 1st place master William Bell.

• 29 January 1872

  Regatta race 2nd place master William Bell collided with a boat on davits of HMS Clive and progress slowed until disengaged 100 yards later.

• 

  27 July 1873

  Between 9 and 10 o’clock the wind, which had been light from the west, suddenly shifted to SW, and came up in a heavy squall, and catching several of the river craft bound down, they had to turn tail and run for shelter. One of them, the barge May Queen, got caught before she could round to, and her mizzen was blown out of the bolt ropes, her mizzentop carried away, and the crosstrees came rattling down on deck, striking one of the crew on the head, and for the time rendering him insensible; but he soon rallied, and with the exception of a cut and a bruise was none the worse. The May Queen, and other craft got safely into port.

• 18 August 1873

  MQ and Hero left Southport at 11am and arrived in Hobart at 5pm laden with timber from Chesterman and Hay sawmill at Southport. 6-hour trip.

• 7 September 1873

  Officially purchased by Henry Chesterman sawmiller of Hobart.

• 27 February 1875

  MQ sailed for Garden Island Creek loaded with a 40hp boiler for installation in a new sawmill for Henry C. and partners.

• 5 December 1877

  Regatta race. MQ was leading when the passage boat Crystal Wave capsised and went to the assistance of her crew. The race was reheld on 7/12 in blustery conditions and after part of her rigging gave way May Queen (which was favourite) retired.

• 8 February 1882

  Regatta race 2nd, master H. Chesterman, after Korunah, ahead of Coral. One and All, Tasman and River Chief.

• 4 June 1883

  Collision with the steamship Esk in Storm Bay after leaving Port Arthur. Bowsprit broken off and the boom struck by the stern of the Esk. No serious damage but an inquiry conducted under the Wrecks Inquiries Act.

• 15 July 1883

  After leaving Port Arthur with timber struck a strong Werly gale off Adventure Bay. The mizzen broke off at deck level going over the side with sails rigging and fittings and being lost. Stayed overnight in Wedge Bay and came to Hobart rigged as a cutter.

• 26 January 1885

  May Queen ran into the yacht ‘Foam’ off Lucas’ slip and caused the loss of her mast. MQ undamaged.

• 

  16 February 1888

  MQ under Capt E. McKavoy sank between Police Point and Huon Island in about 17 fathoms of water after being hit by a sudden squall. No loss of life and the vessel was dragged in to 8 fathoms by the ‘One and All’ and the ‘Alabama’ by the 16th March and raised without difficulty.

• 

  1896

  Christmas Day photograph taken at Raminea on the Esperance River with Jim Miley, Alf Nicholls and Joe Connors.

• 1906

  Henry Chesterman dies and ownership transfers to wife Mary Chesterman.

• 1 September 1924

  MQ sold to Alan C. Boxall and former truck engine fitted.

• 19 December 1925

  MQ had a collision near Princes Wharf with the ferry Kangaroo under Capt. O’May. Hit amidships and the rail and several of the MQ stanchions were carried away.

• 1924-1940

  MQ used to carry coal from Catamaran to Electrona Carbide Works. Also other goods under contract.

• 29 February 1940

  MQ repurchased from Boxall.

• 9th and 12th Feb 1946

  2 Races (Victory Regatta). May Queen won both, helmsman W. Bluett Enterprise second on both occasions.

• February 1951

  MQ last regatta win.

• February 1954

  Final sail trading ketches regatta race MQ second.

• 

• 1955/56

  MQ modified to utilitarian role with shortened bowsprit and topmasts. Centrecase removed to allow greater timber stowage. Crew reduced to two instead of three.

• 16 August 1966

  Heading out from Hobart and off Taroona the stern of the MQ was lifted briefly out of the water by a whale that then surfaced alongside. It was about 21m long. Both entities proceeding on their way with no damage.

• 14 December 1972

  Technical piracy. Crewman W. Evans was charged when he took the MQ to sea without a master’s certificate after a disagreement with the skipper T. Tuttle. Fined $50.

• 

  30 June 1973

  Chesterman & Co. sold to a consortium of Tasmanian based timber companies with sale condition requiring preservation of MQ.

• 1 July 1973

  MQ ownership transferred to H. Jones & Co.

• 3 January 1974

  Final commercial trip after 105 years of service.

• 16 May 1975

  MQ ownership transferred to Marine Board of Hobart and then Hobart Ports Corporation. Displayed in Waterman’s Dock.

• 1976–1985

  Marine Board partial restoration by Jack Charlston, Wayne Berrins, Trevor Tuttle and others to sailing rig. Old deckhouse and engine removed. New chainplates, deadeyes and topmasts made. Bowsprit from Huon Chief fitted. Masts removed, repaired and refitted deck seams recaulked and pitch filled.

• 10 March 1996

  Headline ‘May Queen Rotting Away.’

• 3 June 1997

  Formation of “Friends of the May Queen” (FMQ) to lobby for preservation program to be initiated.

• Previous 10 years

  Deck severely rotted, no through flow of air to the interior of the hull. Deck beams and lodging knees rotted especially at ends adjacent to covering boards. Significant rot through many of the frames especially fore due to fresh water entering through the deck.

• February 1998

  Completion of ‘Staples Report’ detailing the current condition of the vessel; and examining preservation options, and feasibility of rebuilding the vessel.

• March 1998

  FMQ apply a Commonwealth Govt. grant under the Centenary of Federation Funding.

• April 1998

  Saturated (12%) borate solution spray treatment of interior of the vessel using Polybor (sodium octaborate).

• 28 Nov 1999

  Hobart Ports Corporation passed ownership to non-profit organisation May Queen P/L as trustees.

• 26 April 2000

  Ken Jones appointed as shipwright with technical input for the project from Bill Foster.

• May 2000

  Commencement of laying of temporary plywood deck cover to eliminate rainwater ingress. Receipt of grants of $20,000 from Hobart Ports and $20,000 from Commonwealth Govt.

• 8 June 2000

  Removal of mizzen mast and rigging for refurbishment.

• 4 August 2000

  Slipping, cleaning caulking by John Harrod and repainting.

• 13 September 2000

  Completion of initial Conservation and Management Plan.

• January 2001

  Removal of stern celery top pine deck. Forward mooring chains lowered to water level to reduce weight on weakened prow.

• 29 June 2001

  Installation of temporary steel lifting gantry (crane) in the stern to provide support and lifting capability of hull planks whilst replacement frames are fitted. Port side stern corner lifted 50mm to return original sheer to vessel using gradual turnbuckle lift.

• December 2001

  Awarded Community Fund Grant of $50,000.

• 11 March 2002

  Mark Singleton started as replacement shipwright following excellent work by K. Jones.

• 17 July 2002

  Slipping to allow fastening of planks to new internal frames. Replacement of two planks below the waterline.

• September 2002

  Install initial laminated deck beam and fit steel breasthook. Install laminated frames and finalise sternpost.

• December 2002

  Fit new celery top pine stanchions.

• January 2003

  Three ‘Work for the Dole’ persons commenced attendance. Repairs to masts and spars and wire rigging. Fit above waterline planks.

• 

  5 March 2003

  Presentation by Jacques Chevaux of the World Ship Trust to SV May Queen and to Mr Bill Foster in recognition of the historical and cultural importance of the vessel and his contributions to historic vessel preservation.

• May 2003

  Slipping to fasten planks to new stanchions and frames. Spline and recaulk seams, apply antifouling paint.

• April–Aug 2003

  Inspect, grease and serve wire rigging, refurbish blocks and running rigging. Refit main and mizzenmasts and spars.

• 

  December 2003

  Moved from Waterman’s Dock to Prince of Wales Bay for wharf side deck and cabin reconstruction.

• 16 January 2004

  Flagship at Sandy Bay Regatta.

• February–June 2004

  Remainder of interior frames fitted, deck fittings replaced or renewed.

• To end 2004

  Completion of centreboard and winding gear. Slipping and 2 planks replaced.

• 9 February 2005

  Moved from Waterman’s to Constitution Dock.

• 12–14 February 2005

  MQ featured in publicity brochure for Australian Wooden Boat Festival. Open for public inspections.

• September 2005

  Slipping and replacement of underwater planks, caulking and painting.

• 

  2005–2006

  Coating of deck planks, preservation and finalising rope rigging, fitting of electrical switchboard for lights.

• May 2006

  Open for inspection as part of Heritage Week.

• 4 October 2006

  Handover of MQ to Maritime Museum for public inspection.

• 2006 on…

  Regular Thursday maintenance day with volunteers attending.

• February 2007

  Open for public inspection during Australian Wooden Boat Festival. Approximately 1,000 visitors over three days.

• February 2008

  First wedding conducted on board with guests on Mawson’s Place.

• 6 December 2008

  Second wedding conducted on board. Sail from ‘Lady Nelson’ used as shade/rain cover.

• 2008…

  Construction of replica MQ dingy by Bill Foster and Rose Bay High School students.