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Timeline

A summary of the major events in the life of the original "Lady Nelson" and its present day Replica.

The original Lady Nelson

1798	The original vessel was built on the River Thames at Deptford and launched on November 3rd 1798; built with 3 sliding keels to facilitate survey work in the colony of New South Wales.
1800	On March 18 Lady Nelson sailed from Portsmouth, under the command of Lieutenant James Grant with a crew of twelve, arriving at St Jago, Cape Verde Islands on 13th April. Leaving Cape Verde Islands on 27th. April, the Lady Nelson arrived at the Cape of Good Hope on July 8th. and departed on October 7th. On December 3rd land-fall was made near Mount Gambier and the Lady Nelson arrived at Port Jackson on December l6th, completing her maiden voyage in ten months.
1801	Exploration of King Island and the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. Lt. Murray spent several weeks exploring the possible channels into the wide expanse of Port Philip Bay before returning to Sydney on 24th March 1802
1802	Accompanied the Investigator (Lt. Matthew Flinders) along the north east coast of Australia.
1803	The Lady Nelson, accompanied by the whaler Albion, sailed to the River Derwent to establish the first European settlement in Tasmania.
1804	The Lady Nelson involved in establishing settlements at Hobart Town and on the Tamar River.
1806	Made a voyage to New Zealand to return exiled Maori Chief Te-Pahi to his homeland.
1807	Sailed with 34 men, women and children from Norfolk Island to Hobart Town.
1808	Second voyage from Norfolk Island to Hobart Town, with 50 men, women and children.
1810	Sailed to Norfolk Island with a detachment of the 73rd Regiment to relieve the 102nd Regiment.
1811	Conveyed Governor Macquarie to Van Dieman's Land on his famous tour of inspection.
1812	Employed in carrying coal from Newcastle and grain from the Hawkesbury River to Sydney Town.
1812	Conveyed 33 convict men and 13 convict women from Sydney to Port Dalrymple.
1813	In company with the Minstrel, brought twenty one men, six women and sixteen children from Norfolk Island to Port Dalrymple.
1821	Driven on shore at Port Macquarie. Refloated and repaired on Governor Macquarie's orders.
1824	Accompanied HMS Tamar to establish the first white settlement on Melville Island, Northern Australia. Lady Nelson sailed for Timor in December to seek livestock for the settlement.
1825	Returned from Timor with 30 pigs. Sailed again on February 19th and was never heard from again. The hull, with name painted on the stern, was sighted on the island of Babar, 120 miles east of Timor. The ship had been plundered and burnt and the crew killed.

The Replica

1983	The Tasmanian Sail Association Ltd. announced their wish to build a replica of the original vessel.
1986	First cut made in the 50 ton log for the keel by the late Sir James Plimsoll, then Governor.
1988	The Lady Nelson launched.
1989	Commenced operations entirely by volunteers and made over $13,000 in three months.
1990	Policy of payment introduced and ship sent to mainland to generate income; heavy losses incurred.
1991-5	Period of escalating debt with vessel spending most of each year out of Tasmanian waters.
1996	Attempt to sell vessel to clear debt of $250,000 thwarted by Friends of the Lady Nelson Group. June: Lady Nelson returns to Tasmania and resumes Sail Training and educational cruises as a totally voluntary operation.
2000	Re-enacted the first sighting of the Australian Coast on 3rd December 1800.
2001	Debt of $250,000 repaid by the voluntary efforts of Association Members.
2001	Re-enacted the discovery of Phillip Island & Western Port, Victoria in March 1801.