About this Event
Travel through three locations and three chapters of HMAS Vampire (II)'s history in this special guided round-trip experience developed in collaboration with the Australian National Maritime Museum and Harbour Trust.
Begin aboard HMAS Vampire (II) with a short tour led by Stirling Smith, Curator of Navy at the Australian National Maritime Museum, exploring the vessel's design, operational service and enduring legacy. Built at Sydney's historic Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Vampire was one of three Australian-built Daring-class destroyers and represented a new era in local shipbuilding, incorporating innovative construction techniques and becoming one of the largest destroyers ever built in Australia.
From there, board the Harman and cruise across Sydney Harbour, tracing the maritime landscape that shaped Vampire's story with Inger Shiel, Assistant Curator, Knowledge at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Along the way, discover the people, industries and naval heritage that connected Vampire to the harbour she called home for decades.
Arriving at Cockatoo Island, Nerida Campbell, Head of Curatorial, Research and Production at the Harbour Trust will reveal the story of Vampire's construction, from the laying of her keel in 1952 to her launch in 1956, bringing to life the skilled workforce and shipbuilding traditions that made the island the nation's most important naval dockyard.
This unique experience offers the rare opportunity to follow The Bat's journey across the harbour, from her beginnings at Cockatoo Island to her life today as one of Australia's most significant museum vessels.
Agenda
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
HMAS Vampire (II) Tour
Info: Explore the ship's history with Stirling Smith, the museum's Curator of Navy.
🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:25 AM
Passenger Safety Briefing
Info: Briefing delivered by Sydney Heritage Fleet.
🕑: 10:25 AM - 10:55 AM
Harbour Cruise
Info: Depart aboard Harman with historical commentary by Assistant Curator Inger Shiel.
🕑: 10:55 AM - 11:10 AM
Arrive at Cockatoo Island
Info: Short coffee and comfort break.
🕑: 11:10 AM - 12:30 PM
Cockatoo Island Guided Tour
Info: Discover Vampire's construction and shipbuilding heritage with Nerida Campbell from the Harbour Trust.
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:00 PM
Return Harbour Cruise
Info: Depart Cockatoo Island aboard Harman.
🕑: 01:00 PM
Tour Concludes
Info: Arrive at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Event venue & nearby stays
Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray Street, Sydney, Australia
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