Enterprize Replica
| Career (Australia) |  |
|---|---|
| Namesake: | Enterprize |
| Owner: | Enterprize Ship Trust |
| Laid down: | October 1991 |
| Launched: | 30 April 1997 |
| Homeport: | Docklands, Melbourne |
| Status: | Active as of 2012 |
 The Enterprize Replica sailing on the Yarra River in 2012. | |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Topsail Schooner, museum ship |
| Displacement: | 72 tonnes |
| Length: | 27 m (89 ft), bowsprit to stern |
| Beam: | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
| Height: | 19.1 m (63 ft) mast to waterline |
| Draught: | 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| Propulsion: | Auxiliary: Cummins 6BT diesel |
| Sail plan: |
Topsail Schooner 7 flax sails Sail area: 190 square metres (2,000 sq ft) |
The Enterprize is a replica Topsail Schooner built in Melbourne, Australia. It is currently operated by a not-for-profit group for the purpose of providing the people of Melbourne with a means of experiencing nineteenth century sailing and the city's history.
Building the Replica
Planning of a replica began in 1989 and construction commenced in 1991, with the keel laid at the Melbourne Maritime Museum.[1] [2] It was completed at the Old Ports and Harbour Yard in Williamstown, and was officially launched by Felicity Kennett - the wife of the Premier of Victoria, Jeff Kennett, on the 160th Melbourne Day in 1997.[1] The replica took six years to build as it was constructed using traditional 19th century methods.[1] It was made using Australian-grown timber,[1] much of which was recycled [2] including: Jarrah, Huon Pine, Kauri, Celery Top Pine and Ironbark.[1] The ship's two masts are local California Redwood, its sails are traditional hand-sewn flax and its rigging is traditional tarred hemp.[1] The replica was launched on 30 April 1997 at Hobson's Bay for a total cost of $2.5 million.[2] The Enterprize was the first square-rigged commercial sailing ship to be built in Melbourne in 120 years.[2]
The Original Enterprize
The original schooner Enterprize was built in Hobart in 1829 by William Pender.[1] It was used as a cargo vessel till 1835, after which it was purchased by John Pascoe Fawkner to carry a settlement party to the future site of Melbourne.[1] It was captained by Peter Hunter. After the settlement, the ship was then used as a trading vessel till 1847 - when it was wrecked on the shoal of the Richmond River in northern New South Wales.[1]