One of the largest vessels in the Sydney Heritage Fleet is being readied for an emotional return to base on Sunday April 3.
The 51m steamer John Oxley has spent the past 25 years high and dry on a floating pontoon while undergoing extensive restoration by SHF volunteers at the Fleet's Rozelle Shipyard. The massive effort so far has included replacing all but two of John Oxley's one-tonne steel hull plates and hot-riveting them into place, using shipbuilding skills from a bygone era.
The years of hard work and a heart stopping manoeuvre have paid off.
Australia's last coastal steamer was eased into the Navy's Garden Island Base drydock on Wednesday 31st March after a pontoon tow from Rozelle Bay that stretched necks and created excitement for anyone who saw it.
Now, on Sunday April 3, a flotilla of boats from the Sydney Heritage Fleet including the 1874 barque James Craig along with other harbour craft, will accompany the ship as she's towed to Glebe Island.
A ceremony will then mark John Oxley's launch in Scotland almost a century ago, by Queensland's Agent General in London John Huxham. One of those who will make Sunday's relaunch an occasion to remember will be Mr Huxham's great grand-daughter Lyn Huxham.
This release gives the details of Stage 2 of what's become known as The Swap,
