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GALE STORM SAILING WEEKEND ALMA DOEPEL

Traveldriven
Apr 14, 2023
5 min read

Updated: Oct 27

the cooked full roast chicken on its silver platter sliding down the length of the long twenty seat plus dining table

-shipmate,

Alma Doepel

Tall Ship Alma Doepel

Alma Doepel was built in 1903 in Bellingen, NSW, by Frederick Doepel and named after his youngest daughter Alma. Up until 1915 she operated around Sydney and the northern rivers district of NSW. In 1915 she was brought by Tasmanian owners and commenced freighter operation. The ship criss-crossed Bass Strait between Hobart and Melbourne. Carrying timber and general goods. She undertook wartime World War Two service in Papua New Guinea.

From July 1988 the Alma Doepel was used as a sail training ship on Port Phillip Bay and moored in Melbourne until 1999. Sea going wear and tear took its toll and the ship was unable to continue in this role. She was sailed up the Australian east coast and found berth at Port Macquarie unable to continue on and this is where she stayed for many years in a floating dock. Unseaworthy and in need of repairs. The local volunteers, although enthusiastic, unable to do a restoration.

The ship was returned to Melbourne and from 2013, she was berthed at No 2 Victoria Dock Melbourne. Being mounted on a submergible barge, undergoing an extensive refit to return her to survey so she can recommence sail training. On 16 October 2021 she was lifted off the barge and back into the water.

Restoration works

In the years leading up to 2025, volunteers continue to engage in restoration work. Restoration is in Docklands Melbourne. All work is carried out with donations received. Completion total cost is estimated of five million dollars. Enabling sailing once again on Port Phillip Bay. Occasionally a tour may be available to see restoration works. About two-thirds restoration completed in 2023. Ship masts fitted in 2024. Planned fitout completion is now extended for early 2026.

Sea trials are expected going into 2026 for sea worthiness compliance. Followed by sailing with crew and passengers. Possibly by middle 2026 onwards.

First Experience On A Ship

I sailed on the Alma Doepel pre-1995.

An overnight winter's weekend tall ship experience on Port Phillip Bay off of Melbourne in Victoria. Group of twenty or so, plus crew. The sleeping quarters were located below deck, featuring double-deck bunks that extended along both sides of the interior hull, with a walkway in between. You slept in your own sleeping bag, which you brought on board along with a few personal belongings. The planned evening meal was to be a large, cooked roast and beverages were supplied. Crew and shipmates shared friendly banter. Crew could be given a helping hand with ropes and rigging. The sea trip being advertised as experiencing life on a tall ship for a weekend.

Gale Force Radio Warnings

However once aboard, soon all shipboard activities were curtailed due to severe weather. Gale warnings issued for bays and open waters. A successful attempt was made by a few to go by ship's tender to the Sorrento Hotel in full safety gear and return. Transfer to the tender lowered alongside of the rocking ship was fraught with caution. Weather worsening by the hour. Crew only allowed in the high rigging due to bad weather. Little of the evening meal was eaten. The untouched full chicken roast on its silver platter sliding down the length of the long twenty seat plus dining table. Only the raised table rim preventing spillage to the floor. All galley plates and kitchen utensils falling on the galley floor from normally secure storage space. Drinking water was preferred by most instead of onboard beverages to avert feelings of seasickness. A howling overnight & cold gale force wind cut through the rigging. No other vessels out on the bay apart from a few large international freighter ships. Frequent marine radio communications warnings of gale force wind threats to shipping in bays.

Call For Volunteers

Only a few hours into the voyage the ship's captain, Captain Wood, called for volunteers from the crew to furl in the most forward sails on the Bowsprit (projecting long pole). The Bowsprit bucking wildly up and down in the worsening swell and strong wind. Only two younger crewmen volunteered. All other crew declined. These two crewmen climbing out over the white capped water. All hoping that if a fall occurred the small safety net between the bowsprit and choppy swell would prevent a man overboard emergency. Everything must be battened down and sails furled away. Ship rocking noticeably during anchor overnight in the wild storm. During the night, ship's crew used a loud portable drill to drain lapping water on floorboards in the sleeping quarters. No doubt the bilge pumps running non-stop beneath. Sleep constantly interrupted by loud creaking of timber joints protesting and squalling wind over the deck above.

Scurry Back To Home Port and Safety

In the morning daylight, the ship tacked so as to run with the strong wind enabling much smoother sailing back to port. Several hours of sailing from near the entrance of the bay. Waves crashing over the side wooden railings washing the deck fully in the heavy swell. Seawater as deep as one's knee's quickly draining through the deck side scupper drainage holes. All careful not to be caught on the open deck during a breaking wave. Crew could be overheard saying the main anchor was dragged on the sea floor in overnight storms moving the ship a short distance. All found it impossible to maintain self-balance. Hand grips on any ship fittings were essential to move about. All crew and passengers arrived back safely in port late morning. Although most if not all were nauseous for the past twenty-four hours from the wild weather.

An experience not forgotten. Good job by crew and the ship's Captain Mr Wood.

No further personal sailing for over twenty years.

Traveldriven

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