Solway Lass

"Solway Lass" is a two-masted schooner. She was built in the Netherlands in 1902, and is currently operated by Southern Cross Sailing Adventures out of Airlie Beach, Australia. She is chartered for 3-day sailing holidays in the Whitsunday Islands.

History

The ship was built in the Netherlands in 1902 as a sail powered cargo vessel. She is constructed of German steel with timber decking. She was originally named "Stina".

In 1905, she was sold and renamed "Adolf", working in and around the Baltic and North Sea. In 1915, she was seized as a prize of war by the British and used as a Q-Ship during World War I. After the war, she worked as a coal, produce and stone carrying vessel between Liverpool and Scottish ports. In 1924, she was sold to a Scottish firm in the Solway Firth where she was renamed "Solway Lass".

When World War II broke out, the Germans seized "Solway Lass" as a prize of war, and used her as a supply ship. During the war, she hit a mine and was badly damaged; the Germans refloated and repaired her because she was useful as a sail-powered icebreaker. After WWII, "Solway Lass" served in the South Pacific as a cargo vessel. In 1983, a Sydney businessman purchased her in Fiji, rebuilt her, and, in 1988, she took pride of place in the 1st Fleet re-enactment of the Tall Ships into Sydney Harbour.

External links

* [http://www.solwaylasswhitsundays.homestead.com/ Solway Lass Whitsundays]