On our approach to Devonport we'd spotted a substantial public building near The Bluff that we thought might be the Maritime Museum. We decided to walk there from the yacht club in East Devonport. The prospect of a cup of coffee and a sit with a newspaper was all the encouragement the Bloke required, so we set off on a very attractive dual use path along the riverbank.
The ebb tide betrayed by the trails behind the moored boats.
Notice the 'Spirit of Tasmania' and 'Searoad Mersey' in the background.
Notice the 'Spirit of Tasmania' and 'Searoad Mersey' in the background.
Along the Mersey River there are some stupendous homes from a bygone time.
A hint to past prosperity.
I loved the blossoms.
A bank in central Devonport.
We passed the War Memorial on the riverside path.
The signal flags indicated that the Bass Strait Maritime Centre was open.
Dramatic laser cut compass rose in the entry floor.
Construction drawings of the lighthouse on Mersey Bluff.
The clue that the Australian mainland and Van Diemen's Land were not connected was the observation of very strong tides by George Bass in 1798/9. The chief significance of it's discovery was the shortening of the sea route from India back to Europe by some 700nm.We have noticed these tides ourselves and the shores of both Victoria and Northern Tasmania that are exposed to Bass Strait experience 3m (6') tides. We have seen tidal overflows at the northern ends of both King Island and Three Hummock Island. Our friend Gus from 13Beaufort sent us screen shots of his navigation panel showing the track of a high powered vessel attempting to traverse the Banks Strait (on the NE corner of Tasmania)from east to west during an ebb tide. The attempt was unsuccessful and the boat had to stand off and wait for the flood tide. There was no getting through until then! We'll be headed through that Strait and the Bloke is taking the tides very much into consideration.
There are many displays and screenings to be viewed in the Maritime Centre but one of the show pieces is a simulator. You can stand in a replica of a ships bridge with 180 degree animated visuals and for $2:00 can attempt to bring the ship in through the Mersey River heads and upstream. You are warned that the attempt may well cause seasickness. Just looking over the setup and the images of a stylized heaving sea had me feeling quite wonky!
The emergency exit schematic revealed the clever design of the building echoing an anchor or a boat.
One of the external corners of the Bass Strait Maritime Museum.
The 'Julia Burgess' was built as a cray fishing boat.
Now lovingly restored by volunteers.
Her story is documented at the museum.
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