Boating - Ena is on her way

By Robert Bremner
Steam yacht Ena will soon be relocating from Sydney to Melbourne.

The historical vessel will be arriving in Docklands around June 10 depending on weather.

The arrival will be a unique event with the vessel being accompanied by a flotilla of heritage style vessels from Williamstown.

The yacht will become a tourist attraction at Docklands with the owners offering it for hire for private events.  The 116 ft vessel can hold up to 49 guests on board.

Owner Warwick Turner feels she will be a great addition to Docklands.

“We feel that she will be embraced by Melbourne whose culture and persona matches that of Ena,” Mr Turner said.

SY Ena has a long and dramatic history. Built in 1901 she was the HMAS Slueth and has been used for fishing in the wild waters of Tasmania. She was meticulously restored for $3.5 million in the mid 1980s.  The SY Ena is said to be one of only three of this type of vessel remaining in the world.

The International Register of Historic Ships considered that Ena is perhaps the finest vessel of her type in the world.

Ena left the Australian National Maritime Museum on May 31 for her final outing on Sydney Harbour.