Australian National Maritime Museum
Australian National Maritime Museum
Originally posted on July 1st, 2008
Australian National Maritime Museum Events
M’Andrew’s Hymn – marine steam, men and machines
9-10.30 am Thursday 24 July at the museum
Join us to explore the way steam engines revolutionised shipping aroundthe world and led to the demise of sailing ships. Learn about steamengine history from Newcomen’s engine of 1712, developing through theVictorian era to the tripleexpansion engines of the 20th century. Marineengineers Steven Adams (ANMM fleet manager) and Neil Brough (ex-ANMM)unbolt history and delve into the flanges and conrods of marine steamengines, while a special guest – the ghost of immortal engineer M’Andrew- will appear to recite Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem. Meet 0900 at the Kara Kara steam engine in the Navy exhibition followed by smoko in theduty mess.
Members $10 guests $15. Includes morning tea
Vintage model skiff race on the harbour
10am-2pm Sunday 17 August at the museum and off Rodd Island
Balmain Bugs – racing model skiffs – are a unique part of Sydney’sharbour heritage tracing their roots to the water sports of the boatmenof Balmain, all the way back to the 1860s. Those who couldn’t race afull-sized skiff turned to sailing models that, like the skiffs, carriedenormous rigs dwarfing their hulls. The competition was stiff in popularraces conducted regularly on the harbour up until the 1950s. Join Dennisand Harry McGoogan, both lifelong Sydney Harbour sailors and passionatemodel skiff builders, who talk about these model boats and theirhistory. We then head out by ferry to watch Dennis and Harry pit theirtwo-footers against each other in a match race off picturesque Rodd Island.
Members $50 guests $60. Includes talk at museum, light lunch and refreshments on the ferry
Special: Annual HMAS Vampire wardroom dinner
6-9.45pm Wednesday 13 August on HMAS Vampire
On 13 August 1986 HMAS Vampire was officially decommissioned by theRoyal Australian Navy. After 27 years she had steamed 808,026 nauticalmiles. Exactly 20 years after her decomissioning, join us to celebratethe ship’s service in the RAN with a Navy dinner in the Vampirewardroom. The dinner president will be CMDR Mike Taylor RAN (Rtd) whocommanded Vampire 1980-82. Former ship’s officer CMDR Bill Ruse RAN(Rtd) will be the vice-president. Includes predinner cocktails,traditional three-course meal, passing of the port and the loyal toast.
Members $99 guests $110. Strictly limited places due to the size of thewardroom. Black tie