Endeavour log - 28 January to 7 February 2025

It was with great excitement and anticipation that the voyage crew made their way to the ship. After stowing their gear, it was time to learn about the ship and how to move about the ship in a safe manner which included safety briefings and an induction to the ship. The voyage crew then participated in a fire drill and man over board emergency drill.  

With the weather hot and temperatures almost hitting 40 degrees, it was a long hot day, particularly on deck. Spirits remained high, however, as voyage crew learnt how to climb aloft. Learning how to use their safety harnesses and how to climb the rig in a safe manner. After the climbing briefing, they proceeded to do their “up and overs”. This involved climbing up the shrouds on the port side, over the futtocks, then across to the starboard side to make their way down the shrouds. 

A southerly change arrived and brought a downpour and everyone welcomed the cool change. It was then time for dinner and a welcome rest before planned departure the following morning. 

All is well on board. We are now 50 nautical miles offshore from Jervis bay and under sail. Our first 24 hours were under engines, so it is now a lot more peaceful and quiet on board.

A few crew are suffering sea sickness, but moral is high.
 

As a returning voyager there is an emotional and physical connection you create with not only Endeavour the ship and the sea but also the amazing crew (top men, steward, officers, chefs assistant and Master of the ship).

I am fortunate once again to sail on such a fabulous piece of Australian history not only is it a national treasure, it is a most amazing tool to bring people together with a wildly different experience of modern day adventure. As we cast off I witnessed the joy and wonder that was present the first time I cast off, the excitement of the ships cannon booming through the city and the joy on crews faces as they get to experience history in modern times. As we sail through the harbour heading for the heads there is an air of excitement in anticipation of hitting the open sea and setting the first sail in our journey to Van Diemens land (Tassie). 

Endeavour has a very unique pitch and roll in a swell and the voyage crew were met with a small taste of what is to come, smiles among faces and excitement for the journey that lays ahead. 

We are fortunate to have on board John Longley who will guide the crew through a series of lectures including being involved in the building of Endeavour and James Cook’s journey of discovery. I truly hope the adventure is allowed to continue with more voyages as I am always keen to experience this adventure with amazing people of all backgrounds who I can build the most amazing memories with. 

Fair winds and following seas. 

Written by Matt, Voyage Crew, Mainmast Watch

Today we continued making our way south. Most of the voyage crew have found their sealegs and everyone is settling into the routine of the ship. Happy hour is a part of every morning and crew work together to clean the ship from top to bottom. Each watch is responsible for cleaning a different part of the ship. 

Sunny skies were enjoyed most of the day and the voyage crew had a lot more practice at line handling as we set the fore topmast stays’l, main stays’l, mizzen stays’l,fore course, main topmast stays’l, fore tops’l, main tops’l, mizzen tops’l, t’gallant, sprits’l and jib. 

A small bird came to visit resting on the mizzen tops’l yard for a large part of the day before flying around the rig and perching itself on the fore course yard. There was a rumour that a couple of sunfish went swimming by with their fins in the air. The search for dolphins continues…

Due to wind conditions changing and pushing us north we clewed up the square sails and started the engine so that we could keep to our schedule. 

We are currently using our iron topsails after the wind dying out and the current working against us yesterday afternoon. We are making up time and plan to be entering Bass straight in the early hours of Saturday 1st Feb and pick up the strengthening forecast Northerly winds to carry us south.

Today we had two lectures before lunch, one focused on the basic workings and components of the rig and sails, the second being the first of a series by John Longley about the building of the vessel. Both were well received, and the crew are hungry for more.

Everyone is happy and enjoying their time on board and are impatiently awaiting our winds to develop and carry across Bass straight and along Tasmania’s east coast.

The foremast watch stood the midnight to 0400 shift this morning and were treated to bioluminescence lighting up the wake off the stern and off the bow. Stars were visible occasionally through a cloudy sky. 

Morning came and a breakfast feast of porridge, scrambled eggs, sausages, baked beans, cereals and toast was enjoyed by all before morning lectures were held. Second mate Natalie delivered a lecture on the operation and function of sails. John Longley, who was responsible for the construction of the Endeavour replica, also delivered  a lecture on how the conception to build the ship came about, including many stories about the sourcing of materials and finding the skilled people whom could make it happen.

By 1300 we had travelled 200nm from Sydney but as with all sailing journeys it was not in a direct line to Hobart. The afternoon was spent whipping and braiding some new reef lines for the square sails and a new swordmat was created, this will be used in the rig as chafe protection.

Dinner consisted of salmon with a delicious caper sauce, roast potatoes and beans was enjoyed followed by Alans famous berry cheesecake for dessert. As the sun started to set a pod of dolphins came bouncing through the waves to enjoy a swim off the bow, they seemed just as excited to us, as we seeing them.

All is beautiful today on board Endeavour. 

We are now south of Gabo Island and under sail and making our way across the "paddock" (eastern approaches to Bass strait).

We had to motor the last twenty four hours, but at first light we started to set sails once more and shut down the noisy engines, much to everyone's delight as the wind backed and started to fill in. 

The sun is shining and we presently are on a beam reach with an easterly breeze making a steady five knots. 

The wind is forecast to back into the northeast and intensify. 

The energy on board is positive with plenty of laughter heard throughout the ship. 

All is well. 

Overnight we saw more bioluminescence as we continued our journey south motor sailing with the main stays’l and mizzen stays’l until morning. Decks were scrubbed and then around 0800 we set the fore topmast stays’l, fore course, fore tops’l, main tops’l and sprits’l. Much to everyone’s delight, the engine was given a rest, and we all enjoyed a magical sail throughout the day. 

The professional crew were abuzz with excitement when it was discovered that the ship APL Vancouver was in sight. The ship is carrying 200 litres of Stockholm tar which is bound for Endeavour which will be used to maintain and preserve the rigging. The ship should arrive in Sydney in the next few days.

Sydney sits at a latitude of 33ᵒS and Hobart at 43ᵒS. We are currently at 38ᵒS as we pass Bass Strait.  

The crew were treated to another lecture by John Longley on the early stages of the Endeavour’s physical construction.

By 1400 we were averaging around 6.5 knots steering to a course of 170ᵒ with around 15 knots of East Nor’east winds which were building throughout the day.  

A spot of fishing was attempted but no fish were caught so we finished the day with a Mexican Fiesta. It was dinner and a show as Al and Brian brightened our evening with music and dancing while serving the feast. 
 

We are still sailing comfortably with a twenty knot North Easterly breeze pushing us south at speeds of up to 7.5 knots. 

We are currently 60 nautical miles east of Flinders island after a 148 nautical mile noon to noon run. 

Mid morning we altered course slightly to start making our way inshore and we plan to put reefs into our topsails on the dog watches this evening in preparation for an increase in winds that are forecast tomorrow.

The crew eagerly attended a lecture by Mike, our first mate on sails and how they work. This was followed by another of John Longley's lectures progressively explaining how our replica was built. 

Everyone is well and enjoying the perfect sailing conditions.

It was another brilliant night gazing out at the grandeur of the night sky well away from city lights. Dawn broke through with a purple sky making for some lovely photo opportunities. First mate Mike delivered a lecture on sail handling and how sails balance the ship and John Longley gave a further instalment in his series of lectures about the construction of the Endeavour replica. 

The afternoon was spent with more ropework and hammock maintenance. Then it was up the rig to put two reefs in the fore tops’l and main tops’l.  Sailing conditions have been magnificent and there is great commeraderie with lots of laughter amongst the crew. 

Special mention to mizzen watch for being tops, singing sea shanties on the foredeck and uniquely numbering off in roman numerals at muster. Upper yardie, Ryan, is very proud of them. 

We are are presently 30 nautical miles NE of Wineglass bay. We are still under sail after we slowed down considerably when our winds dropped overnight reducing our speed to 3 knots. The wind is now returning and we are comfortably making five knots with four square sails and two staysails set. 

We are intending to anchor in Wineglass bay using the port bower anchor this evening where we will remain until Wednesday afternoon when the expected brisk Southerly change that is due tomorrow abates and we can comfortably continue our voyage south. 

We've had wonderful sailing for the last few days and the crew all deserve a well earned rest. 

All is well. 

We were very lucky to have more dolphins visit us throughout the night and day. The ocean waters were again lit up with bioluminescence during the night and dolphins swimming through the water made for a spectacular light show. 

Our ‘flying nun’ was again working hard to ventilate the 18^th century deck below. This is simply a canvas tube positioned on the upper deck with ‘wings’ at the opening which is used to catch some breeze which then sends the cool breeze to the deck below. 

We were excited to spot Soren Larsen in the distance as she made her way down the east coast towards Hobart. Sails were slowly taken in and furled and anchor cable laid out as we made preparations to drop the port bower anchor on our approach into Wineglass Bay. What a magnificent place to anchor for the evening, with rugged rocky hills and a sandy white beach. After dinner a beautiful sunset made for some wonderful photo opportunities before voyage crew settled in for a well deserved night’s rest and hourly anchor watches. 

We arrived yesterday afternoon into Wineglass Bay and came to anchor using the Port Bower anchor and are now sitting comfortably with four shackles (110 meters) of cable out in 14 meters of water. 

It was an exciting approach as the wind steadily increased from the north east to 30 knots as we came closer to shore under sail. There was a lot to coordinate, slowing the ship and bringing in our sails, while preparing to swing the two ton anchor off the side of the ship in preparation for letting it go. The crew stepped up to the multitude of tasks and almost all sails were furled by the time we entered the bay.  Our last sail to drop was our for topmast staysail that was still pulling the ship at over three knots. 

Once within the bay, we let go the anchor and the ship came to a halt. All crew waited to see if the anchor held, as we were still getting gusts of over twenty knots. To everyone's delight, it held. The breeze abated over night to around ten knots and the ship has been slowly pitching in the .5 - 1 meter sea that is wrapping around the headland and breaking upon the beach. 

We are remaining here until after the expected brisk southerly change punches through this afternoon and starts to abate through the night and into tomorrow. 

Crew stood hourly anchor watches last night and most managed a good sleep. This morning the ship received and good clean throughout as the boatswain lowered the mizzenmast gaff to carry out some maintenance. 

All is well

We have spent a beautiful night and day at anchor in Wineglass Bay. Voyage crew shared hourly anchor watches during the night and caught up on some sleep. Morning began with a breakfast of eggs, beans, tomatoes, porridge and cereal before crew spent the day relaxing, chatting or assisting with maintenance. 

The cold front rolled in and the wind turned southerly so a few beanies and jackets appeared for the first time. The ship turned to face the bow south with the new wind direction, while the swell remained from the east. This meant the swell was now on our beam so we spent a few hours rolling from side to side before it settled.  

A flock of birds appeared, swirling around and diving for small fish as larger tuna chased them to the surface. There was lots of laughter and noise as crew had more time to mingle and relax on the deck before moving to the 20^th century for dinner. Al had again created a delicious meal of roast pork with his special hoisin sauce, bok choy and rice. Topped off with a sticky date pudding for dessert. 

It was time for more activities in saloon, card games and Jimmy showed off some card tricks, before everyone settled into another night at anchor before setting sail again tomorrow. 

We have been enjoying our time here at anchor in Wineglass bay. 

The crew eagerly got into some maintenance up in the rig, scrapping the tops (platforms) back and oiling them along with many blocks (pulleys) around the deck.

A little after 1500 the expected southerly change came through at 25 - 30 knots. We braced the main and mizzenmast mast yards around to ensure the ship didn't sail over the anchor and risk fouling the cable.

The ship swung to the north and came to on the cable and there she stayed. The wind kept up for a few hours and gusts of 30 knots continued while the crew maintained anchor watches to ensure we didn't move.

Throughout the night the wind abated and we awoke to a light south wind and sunshine.

Another lecture was delivered by John Longley and many of the crew are practicing climbing aloft while in the calm of the bay.

Just before lunch, we shortened in on the cable and plan to weigh and proceed back to sea this afternoon and continue our voyage.

All is well

It was a restful morning while anchored in Wineglass Bay with crew enjoying a breakfast of bacon and eggs with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday sung for the birthday boy, Mark. The morning was spent cleaning and completing some maintenance, relaxing and climbing the rig to take in the beautiful views. After lunch we weighed anchor to commence the final leg of our journey to Hobart. 

We motored offshore in search of the forecasted wind, but unfortunately not enough was found, so motoring overnight to the south it was.

The views were magnificent as we made our way along the South coast of Tasmania escorted by many dolphins and albatross that kept us entertained. John Longley held another fabulous lecture, this time on Endeavour voyaging to New Zealand. 

For dinner, Al delighted everyone again with a team favourite of chicken parmigiana for dinner. 

Shortly after lunch yesterday, all crew gathered on deck to weigh anchor. After a pleasant stay at Wineglass bay, it was time to get going and continue our voyage to Hobart. 

Weighing anchor, catting and then fishing the two ton anchor up onto the side of the ship all ran smoothly using both the windlass and the capstan. 

We proceeded offshore to find breeze in the hope that we could continue our voyage under sail, unfortunately the breeze was light and did not fill in enough to carry us south to our waypoint off Tasman island at 1000 hours. Therefore we had to motor sail through the night.

Upon our approach to Tasman Island, the wind did finally fill in and we shut down engines as it slowly increased to twenty knots. As we rounded the Island and altered our course to the west we braced the yards up and sailed on a beam reach achieving a top speed of 8 knots. Unfortunately this was not to last long, half way between Tasman island and Cape Roaul our good wind dropped and we slowed to 3 knots.

Endeavour is presently two nautical miles south of Cape Raoul almost becalmed and waiting in hope the the forecast 15 knots arrives from the North East to carry us up the Derwent to our intended final night anchorage. 

Fingers are crossed the wind arrives and veers enough into the east to be of use. 

After a fantastic sail around Tasman island and Cape Raoul on the 6th, Endeavour lost the breeze that we were hoping would accompany us up the Derwent river to our intended anchorage in Ralphs Bay. After waiting for an hour in hope that the wind would return, we reluctantly started the engines, furled our sails and motored the last twenty miles to the anchorage.

We remained at anchor overnight in Ralphs bay and after breakfast we weighed and got under way to join the parade of sail to Sulivan Cove.

The parade as always is very exciting and with several hundred ships, boats and dinghies of all different shapes and sizes there was always something new to catch the eye.

Endeavour came alongside Princes wharf directly after the parade of sail, we secured the ship, furled the sails and then commenced the sad farewells to the incredible team of people that had developed into a crew throughout our voyage south.

All that sailed south left the Endeavour with a new sense of who they are, and what they can achieve. The memories and new friendships they now carry will last their lifetimes.