Townsville
You can't get far in one hour on a 16th century jacht, but it doesn't seem to matter to tonight's guests. They are enthusiastic about the ride, however short. We are taking out some guests of Chevron before our official welcome to the port of Townsville. Why has our welcome to Townsville been scheduled for three days after our arrival? Well, Chevron knows there is always a possibility that Duyfken might be late.'Schedule' was not a word much used in shipping circles back in the days of sail. Duyfken motors out of the channel and the crew sets the foresail and main topsail. I explain to the guests that pictures of this rig are common in the artwork of ships of the era, especially where the ship was depicted negotiating an anchorage or going into battle, situations that required ease of manoeuvrability as well as visibility unimpaired by the mainsail or spritsail. Once the sails are set I call out to Cian, our engineer of the day: 'Turn off the tape recording of a loud noise.' All hands relish the peace. We wear ship (turn stern through the wind) and sail back into the channel. Running with the wind behind her Duyfken shows the guests a good turn of speed even under this reduced rig. We sail up the leads until the end of the channel looms. We douse sail and get under power again. Two representatives of the traditional owners of the Townsville region are waiting on the wharf: Ralph Ross of the Bindal people and Bernie Johnson of the Wulgurukaba people. Before we come ashore I ask their permission to walk on their ground. They grant their permission. A rhythmic clap welcomes us ashore. As the guests disembark they express their appreciation for our little ship. Even this short glimpse of life aboard Duyfken has touched them with her magic. In the function room of Reef Headquarters the food and drinks are laid out ready for the special guests and the thirsty crew. I'm not sure if it's got anything to do with Dutch courage but I find that public speaking gets easier with every speech. There is so much to say about the ship and the expedition that I could ramble on for hours. My rule of thumb is to wind it up when three quarters of the audience have nodded off.
Peter Manthorpe
Master
