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OLD SHIPS COMPANY

SYNOPSIS

THE SHIP SAVERS

Vintage Sailors

 4 x 56 minute Documentary Series - Maritime History

 

The Ship Savers is a four part documentary series celebrating the fascinating history and the saving of some of this world's greatest 'reborn' ships.

From hauling exotic timbers from the remote wilderness of southern Tasmania, sailing the great trading coast of the English Channel, crossing vast oceans of the globe or saving desperate troops trapped on the beaches of wartime Dunkirk. These wonderful stories of saved maritime heritage and are vital connections to living history and the creation of our modern world. Their stories of survival against the odds are testament to a global community of passionate 'ship savers' that are keeping maritime history alive.

JAMES CRAIG


The Great Iron Survivor

Documentary - Maritime History

Presented By: Chris Wisbey

Duration: 56 mins

 

SYNOPSIS

In 1972 when the rusted out wreck of the James Craig was hauled from a remote bay in Tasmania, nobody really believed she could sail again.

James Craig - Iron Survivor is the story of one of the world's great sailing ships, a unique survivor - iron-built in 1874, she rode the ebb and flow of trade in the golden era of sail - crossing the world's vast oceans and rounding Cape Horn countless times. The mighty tall ship was abandoned in the 1920's on Tasmania's remote south coast, left to rust away at the very edge of the world.
Rediscovered in the 1970's, she was hauled 650 nautical miles north to Sydney where over 30 long years she was slowly bought back to life. 

Reborn against insurmountable odds, the story of the rescue and restoration of James Craig is a story of hope and the undying dedication of a group of passionate ship savers.

JAMES CRAIG

MEDWAY QUEEN

Medway Queen0152_edited.jpg


Angel of Dunkirk

Documentary - Maritime History

Presented By: Chris Wisbey

Duration: 56 mins

 

SYNOPSIS

Medway Queen - Angel of Dunkirk tells the unlikely story of a pleasure paddle steamer that became a war hero. Medway Queen was a much loved part of the sunny seaside holidays for many families in and around the busy waters of early 20th century London and the Thames Estuary. Passengers loved her broad promenade decks, her mighty steam engine, white linen dining, the mahogany luxury of her saloons and the gentle was she moved along. In 1939 as the world turned to war, Medway Queen was transformed into a Royal Navy ship. She was amongst the first to join the effort to evacuate desperate allied troops from the crowded beaches of Dunkirk, completing a record seven round trips, saving 7000 men. This extraordinary wartime reputation would, years later, come to her aid - when rust, neglect and the breakers called, and she was almost lost - forever. This is a story of many passionate people and a long long struggle - a struggle that still continues.

MEDWAY QUEEN

CAMBRIA 
 


Last by Sail

Documentary - Maritime History

Presented By: Chris Wisbey

Duration: 56 mins

 

SYNOPSIS

For the classic sailing barge Cambria's two man crew - the morning of the 22nd of October 1970, was just the end of another ordinary days' sailing. As she eased into dock, heavy with cargo, the old barge also eased into her place in history. This load was the very last cargo to be delivered by a trading vessel by just the power of wind and tide alone.

With its vast loft of red sails Cambria was the last of a huge traditional sailing barge fleet, a type of beautifully adapted working boat that at one time numbered in the thousands, now only a handful are left afloat. 

Cambria - Last by Sail is the fascinating story of the end of a simple but hard way of life and a last ditch fight against rust and ruin. It's the story of the power of wind and tide and the power of a group of passionate people striving to save an incredible part of world maritime history.

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CAMBRIA
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