Jan 2024, Melbourne, Vic

Built in Belfast in 1885, Polly Woodside is an iron-hulled 3-masted barque constructed for carrying up to 110 tons of cargo. 678 tons. She is 230ft (70m) in length with a mast height of 108ft (33m).

Working out of Belfast until 1904, and renamed Rona, she worked out of Lyttelton (Christchurch) until 1912, and out of Auckland until 1923. Under the ownership of Adelaide Steamship Co., she was then based in Sydney until 1925, thence Melbourne from 1925and onwards as a coal hulk sitting in the river looking rather forlorn. However, her shining hour was during World War Two when she was towed to New Guinea to service the Naval fleet.

I’ll always remember the sad sight of that old black hulk moored in the Maribyrnong River for so long.

Thanks to the hard work of many historians and enthusiasts these days she is owned by the National Trust and is a proud tourist attraction in the old Duke and Orr’s Dry Dock on the Yarra at South Wharf in the heart of Melbourne.

History and statistics: Wikipedia.

Memories: Driving over the Maribyrnong to Footscray and Sunshine to visit friends and relatives.