THE Wanderer Replica Project Committee (WRPC) has taken a giant step towards bringing part of Eden’s history back to life.
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The WRPC has undertaken the task of building a full scale replica of Ben Boyd’s luxury schooner, “Wanderer.”
The original schooner was built in 1837 and there has been little documentation regarding the vessel’s dimensions so the group has commissioned an expert UK-based naval architect and technical boating writer, David Marsh, to assist.
Mr Marsh was sent to examine the ship’s model, owned by Lord Simon Boyd, descendant of Ben Boyd, at Ince Castle, Saltash near Plymouth in the UK.
There he took photographs and took additional measurements of the model that remains in his care.
“Simon, Viscount Boyd, was charming, and could not have been more helpful,” Mr Marsh said.
“We removed the model from its case so I could place Wanderer near a window for better light, and I was given unlimited time to photograph and measure as best I could.
“Lord Boyd also regaled me with interesting stories of Wanderer and his ancestors. The stories made my trip all the more enjoyable.”
WRPC’s spokesperson Stephanie McDonald said the assistance of Lord Boyd and his assistant Barbara Rivers had been invaluable during the process of recreating the schooner since the project began in November 2012.
“The integrity of the Eden and far south coast community’s Wanderer Replica will be in no small way due to their constant willingness to provide and share access to their records and, now to allow physical access to the original shipwright’s model to an associate of this project,” Ms McDonald said.
WRPC’s Sydney-based naval architects, Peter Lowe Design, will use the photographs to prepare drawings and information in collaboration with local shipwright, Morrie Lynch.
The drawings will then be submitted to NSW Roads and Maritime Services for a preliminary ship-building approval.
To help support WRPC you are able to “purchase a plank”, by contacting Clare Whiter at the Eden Access Centre on 6496 3970.