The Racing Yacht, TERRA LINNA
The latest little film from the AWBF’s Boat Folk Series, addresses the much discussed problem of Grandpa’s Axe…
Or in other words, when does a restoration become a recreation?
In the short video below, the Wooden Boat Guild of Tasmania's Graeme Hunt shares the story of one of Tasmania's most famous historical vessels, 1880 racing yacht TERRA LINNA.
“In March 1886 the now Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania conducted a race to Port Esperance for 28 footers with a sweepstake prize of 10s. per boat. Entries included F Turner’s SUNBEAM, Mr Calder’s MAGIC, Mr Knight’s TERRA LINNA, Mr Lewis’s MILLY, Mr Cheverton’s MABEL and Mr Maddock’s MYRINE… The usual lull under the Long Bay shore enabled those left in the race to house their topmasts and be ready to face the Huon River where a good ducking awaited them. Beyond Three Hut Point a very heavy sea was met; with the furious breeze that was blowing it was astonishing that any headway at all was made. It was do or die and through it they went. After working up under the lee of Huon Island the leaders made a fast passage to Blubber Head where the breeze fell much lighter and sailing was smooth and pleasant. The TERRA LINNA dropped her anchor first, 35 minutes ahead of Magic. She [TERRA LINNA] had won the hardest and longest race ever sailed by this generation of boats.”