Lady Nelson - Tasmania's Heritage Brig

The Sail Training Vessel Lady Nelson is Tasmania’s own heritage brig, built in 1987 to celebrate Australia’s Bicentenary. The original Lady Nelson was built in Deptford, London, in 1798 and on her voyage to Port Jackson in 1800 was the first ship to transit Bass Strait from West to East. She played an integral role in the early development of Van Diemen’s Land, including bringing families from Norfolk Island between 1807 and 1813, to re-settle in Hobart Town in the south and Port Dalrymple in the north.

STV Lady Nelson is based in Hobart. She is a community owned vessel, operated by volunteers of the Tasmanian Sail Training Association. The TSTA services the public as a tourism operation as well as a sail-training vessel. The TSTA has undertaken historical re-enactment voyages to Portland, Philip Island and Sorrento and in 2004 completed a third circumnavigation of Tasmania for the Tasmanian Bicentenary.

The TSTA offers a wide range of sail training experiences. A focus on the youth and schools market includes classes enjoying sail training and historic interpretation. Other educational programmes include a School Holiday Program of Pirate Ship experiences, Taste of Sail and an overnighter, ‘Young Stowaways’. In October 2005 two-night Adventure Sails were launched and have become very popular. The Lady Nelson is chartered for shorter harbour cruises and overnight voyages. She regularly services the weekend tourism market in one and a half hour harbour cruises on the River Derwent.

The brig is well maintained thanks to the attention of a dedicated maintenance team, who manage safety equipment, technical matters, sea worthiness and keep her ship shape during her weekly ‘day off’ . She could well be described as a ‘high-maintenance lady’. Much loved by her members, she is also a source of pride to the Tasmanian Community.

For more information...
Lady Nelson Tasmanian Sail Training Association