A pirate ship appears to have sailed up the Brisbane River and docked at Southbank.
It is actually Notorious, a replica of a 15th century caravelle. It was built by Graeme and a Felicite Wylie after they were inspired by a Port Fairy legend of the Mahogany Ship. An ancient wreck was said to be discovered in the sand dunes in 1836 and then lost in the drifting sands in the 1890s. It was believed to be a Portugese caravelle from Mendonca’s secret voyage of 1522.
Caravelles were used by Vasco da Gama, Mendonca and Christopher Columbus. Columbus’ Nina and Pinta were caravelles. It is incredible that these tiny ships were able to travel so far in uncharted waters…what brave souls they were to head off across the ocean never knowing where they were actually going and if they would return.
Notorious is a full size replica. It weighs 55 tonnes, is 17.5 metres long and 5.5 metres wide. The keel is ironbark and the rest of the ship is Monterey Cypress covered with tar. It was launched on February 7th 2011 in Port Fairy, Victoria.
There is just one day left to see Notorious before she sails off on her next adventure.
Southbank is looking great in the winter sun.
