Old Ships Company

Mistral II is 100 year old vessel - a veteran of the first Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. She is now being restored by a team of volunteer unemployed Tasmanians and dedicated shipwrights. Mistral II needs your support to help us to continue to train further generations of young Australians.

Moving the 100 year old hull of Mistral II from Constitution Dock for the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, Hobart Tasmania February 2023.

Purchase a digital download copy of The Wake of the May Queen. In the winter of 1867 the May Queen shuddered off a rough bush slip into the calm waters of the Huon River in southern Tasmania. She was built for the harsh bush conditions; a unique design that allowed her and her sister fleet to do things and go places that most sailing boats could not. Against all odds, 150 years later, she is still afloat, a unique piece of living history. This is her story - from abandoned hull to restored treasure, The Wake of the May Queen is the oldest trading vessel in Australia.

Come along with The Ship Savers and take a voyage back in time and explore a world of maritime history, of passion and people as they race against time and tide to discover the stories of four ships that have stood the test of time and been lovingly restored. The Ships 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 the vast oceans of the globe or saving desperate troops trapped on the beaches of wartime Dunkirk. These wonderful stories of saved maritime heritage 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.

Broadcaster and passionate boat lover, Chris Wisbey, follows the restoration story of one of the world's great sailing ships, James Craig. A unique survivor of the golden era of sail, James Craig is reborn from a disintegrating wreck found at the end of the world. She is testament to the generosity, hard work, skills, dedication and passion of the ship savers.

The Ship Savers - Cambria - Last by Sail - British Sailing Barge 60 Minute Maritime Documentary by The Old Ships Company It was just another ordinary days work... On the morning of the 22nd of October 1970, the British sailing barge Cambria eased into dock and into history, this was the very last cargo to be carried on a barge by just the power of the wind and tide alone. Cambria was part of a once huge fleet of beautifully adapted working boats that numbered in the thousands, now only a handful are left afloat. This is a story of the end of a simple and hard way of life, of the power of wind and tide and the power of people. The story of the saving of the Cambria is still being written, the question is - how does this story live on?

The Medway Queen - Angel of Dunkirk - 60 minute maritime documentary by The Old Ships Company Upon completion in April 1924 the sleek Medway Queen was launched into the River Clyde, Glasgow. She measured 55 metres long and at its widest was 15 metres, she was registered to carry 980 passengers. She could safely operate in as little as 2 metres of water, cruising at around 13 knots. Her two huge side wheels turned seven paddles through an almost 5 metre diameter cycle. Below decks there was a restaurant and teashop, and two saloon bars, and situated at the very midpoint of the vessel was the striking diagonally mounted steam engine. Medway Queen would spend most of the next 40 years on a regular summer schedule - crisscrossing the Medway and the Thames Estuary.

The historic Tasmanian ketch 'May Queen' needs your help to stay afloat. Each year she heads to the slip yards for important restoration. She is maintained by a crew of dedicated volunteers. Built 150 years ago 'May Queen' is Australia's oldest sail trader. 'May Queen' is one of the last wooden craft of her era still afloat in the world. 'May Queen' needs your financial assistance to stay afloat for future generations. Donate at: gofundme.com./mayqueen

Waiting for the tide to rise

The Old Ships Company - Dunkirk to Dover

The Old Ships Company on the beach at Dunkirk

The Old Ships Company filming at Faversham Iron Wharf - UK 2018

Chris Wisbey heads into London on the Thames River

Old Ships Company visits Ramsgate

The Old Ships Company have been filming aboard the Kingswear Castle Paddle Steamer. Based in Dartmouth UK.

Chris heads out today on the Committee Boat to watch the famous Thames Barge March. The English weather couldn’t be better!

The Old Ships Company is heading to the UK for a spot of filming. Based in Kent, the crew will be heading out filming around the area. Stay tuned for regular updates and some behind the scenes antics of our Tassie crew.