Reserving a place in the Australian Register of Heritage Vessels, the Alma Doepel is a grand old dame with a history worth bragging about. Having been in operation for over a hundred years this three mast topsail schooner constructed and managed entirely by Australia is a national treasure in its own right. Docked in Victoria Harbour, Melbourne this marvel of an engineering feat can be explored in its entirety on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am onwards to 5pm. As a vessel whose significance is recognized by the Australian National Maritime Museum the Alma Doepel and its highly successful Restoration Project has garnered worldwide attention with an increasing number of visitors and donors contributing to the continued operation of this century old ship.
Named after the youngest child of Finnish shipping icon Frederik Doepel, the vessel was first launched in to the high seas on October 10th 1903 when its namesake was just an infant. It is also believed that Doepel's daughter was in fact named after a sailing ship named ALMA which was a renowned vessel in Finland during the era. The finest timbers for hulls and masts were supplied from Frederik Doepel's own timber mill as durable wood such as Spotted Gum and Grey Gum trees were considered the best for ship construction. Taking over 12 months to build the Alma Doepel's first installation was of course its magnificent keel. Measuring 14 x 5 inches and 100 feet in length the original keel still functioning today was made of knotless timber as knots in the wood destroy its structural integrity and make it deteriorate faster.
Having no engine when it was first built the Alma Doepel was a single floating cargo retainer with small accommodation spaces located at the front and back. Three masts and square sails donned the forefront of this monumental structure making it one of the most captivating vessels in Australian seafaring history. Having arrived in Melbourne on January 21st after completing an 8-day journey from Port Macquarie the Alma Doepel will remain in Melbourne till it is fully restored and is in form to return to sailing training duties.
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