Local tall ships in good company

Docklands’ tall ships have a new companion after the Alexander Stewart sailed into Victoria Harbour last month.

Moored close to the NAB building on Victoria Harbour Promenade, the wooden tall ship had made a 3500 km, six week journey to Melbourne from Cairns, including stop-overs to avoid cyclones.

Owner Ivan Mitchell (pictured left with daughter Elsie) said his grandfather started building the Alexander Stewart in Sydney in 1969 and was joined by his sons (including Ivan’s father) in construction throughout the ’70s and into the ’80s.

More recently, the boat has spent more than a decade operating as a charter boat in the Whitsundays.

After his family moved to Melbourne a few years ago, Mr Mitchell decided to bring the boat down too and he hopes to eventually run day sails and overnight trips.

According to Mr Mitchell, the boat is modelled after The Spray, which was used in the first solo navigation of the world.

“It’s built along the same lines as the ship that Joshua Slocum used as the first person to sail around the world solo,” Mr Mitchell said.

The Alexander Stewart is in good company in Docklands with tall ships Enterprize and Alma Doepel nearby.

“Having a boat like this, I’m a tall ship fan and a wooden boat person,” Mr Mitchell said. “The Alma Doepel is something that has a historical connection with Melbourne and will be something fairly iconic for Melbourne once it’s finished.”