'T was a gloomy, misty morning when we bid a teary farewell to friends and relatives on Cunningham pier at Geelong. It would be a full 7 hours before we set foot on terra firma again at Williamstown The excitement of both passengers and crew could be felt as the order to "cast off forrard" and "cast off aft" were issued from the quarterdeck of the the 3 masted barque James Craig.
One of the few modifications made to our ship during its restoration was the installation of engines to enable it to keep to modern timetables, we made use of these to motor down the narrow Corio Bay channel.
On reaching the open water of Port Phillip Bay the challenge to "set all sails" was the eagerly accepted by the crew who were already spread out over the spars with others ready to "haul away me hearties" on any and all of the 100 sheets ? (ropes) neatly stowed down each side of the ship.
The southerly wind was all we needed to to fill out all the sails and have us charging down Port Phillip Bay, with the sound of the the water slipping past the sleek lines of the good ship James Craig the only one to be heard, apart from the excited chatter of the the 15 crew persons and 110 passengers.
We had been welcomed aboard and offered coffee and fruit cake down on the spacious lower deck that was the crew quarters, kitchen and crew accommodation in hammocks or bunks.
Soon after we had set the sails a gourmet box lunch was distributed to all passengers. There could not be any better place to eat lunch than sitting on a hatch cover of one of only 5 operating sailing ships in the world with a strong breeze behind you and all sails set perfectly.

The elation of the crew ( they had been taking morning and afternoon trips from Geelong over the previous 2 days in dead calm conditions) was infectious. Their agility , both boys and girls aged seemingly between 17 and 77, exhibited in climbing and descending from the 90 feet masts was amazing. Their pride in the ship and friendly invitations to assist in the running of the ship by easing or taking up the sheets was a large part of this most amazing experience.
The words to a few sea shanties were distributed and sung enthusiastically, ably led by some of the crew members with an accordion and skiffle stick.
All too soon we had to shorten sail by tying them all, except 2, up because we going too fast to be able to stop at Williamstown !.
On berthing at the pier Rusty, the aptly named ships terrier dog was, as is the custom, first ashore

I feel very privileged to have shared the exhilaration of having sailed under full sail on the James Craig,especially on such a great summers day. It is a shame that the sunburn on my face will heal. It is a great souvinier

The fascinating story of the finding of the wreck and restoration of the hulk to the magnificent ship it is now is a great accomplishment by all those involved.
If you cannot afford the trip across Canada on The Canadian train make sure you take a trip on the 3 masted barque James Craig.
Better still, do both.