Tall ship cruises on Sydney harbour.

Our Svanen’s History

Built 1922, designed and built by K Andersen, Frederikssund, Denmark. Was a 3 masted fore-and-aft schooner, for Baltic trade but also N Atlantic, carrying grain to Greenland.

Original name ‘Mathilde’ [I ask you, did this presage an Australian future – as in Waltzing!], then ‘Pacific’ [1926], then ‘H C Andersen’ [1930], and ‘Svanen’ [1938].

In 1938 Our Svanen was for the first time fitted with an auxillary engine, a 34 hp diesel.

Our Svanen changed hands several times after 1938, but no further name changes.

By 1969 had been employed for some years to deliver cargo of malt for the Tuborg Brewery, Koebnhabn, Denmark and given a 134 hp engine in 1969.

Bought in 1969 by Doug and Margaret Havers, who spent 8 yrs rebuilding her in Denmark, and this was were the vessel was re-rigged as a barquentine. Registered in 1977 in Stornoway [Hebrides] as ‘Our Svanen’. Taken to Canada in 1978, via Panama Canal to British Columbia.

In 1980, Our Svanen became a long term charter for Canadian Sea cadets with a permanent crew of 8. Sailing to Alaska in summer and Baja California in winter

In 1981, Our Svanen sailed from Mexico to Hawaii then back to Victoria BC

In 1982, Our Svanen competed in the tall-ships’ race from Venezuela- Philadelphia-Lisbon-Southampton.

Refitted 1982-3 at Troense, Denmark, still with Sea cadets, Our Svanen sailed to England, Florida, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and to the W Indies for winter cruise

In 1984, Our Svanen again competed in the tall ships’ race this time from Puerto Rico-Bermuda-Halifax- Quebec.

In 1985, Our Svanen was sold to Sail Pacific Charters Ltd of Vancouver.

In 1986, Our Svanen was contracted to take part in the Australian First Fleet re-enactment planned for Australia Day 26th January 1988. As Our Svanen was still on the British register, she was refitted to British Dept Trade requirements and a 250 hp caterpillar engine fitted.

In 1987, a dispute with the British about changes in loadline rules occurred this was in relation to not being able to take fare-paying passengers. The vessel sailed to Mauritius, where registration was changed to Cayman Is, and Our Svanen obtained a passenger licence upon arrival in Perth WA from Australian authorities.

After the First Fleet Re-enactment, Our Svanen was sold to Sail Training Assoc of NSW as replacement of the scrapped New Endeavour. Sail Training Assoc of NSW couldn’t keep up with the maintenance and payments and in 1990 sold to the current owners.