TERRA LINNA relaunched in June 2012 at Belerive Tasmania

Images(9)

An early image of TERRA LINNA under sail in 1880

TERRA LINNA with subsequent modifications before restoration work to return the boat to its ori…

TERRA LINNA being readied for sailing trials early in 2013

An undated but very early image of TERRA LINNA at anchor, in Tasmania.

Terra Linna

Vessel numberHV000088

Builder George Luckman

Designer George Luckman

Previous owner Gatehouse and others

Date1881

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 8.53 m x 8.53 m x 2.74 m x 1.14 m (28 ft x 28 ft x 9 ft x 3.75 ft)
Registered Dimensions: 8 tons

DescriptionTERRA LINNA was one of the first racing yachts designed for a popular Hobart based class of yacht, those that measured below 28 feet waterline length. It is a double-ended hull, cutter rigged and fitted with a centreboard. The shape is based on the typical passage boats and double-ended whaleboats of the period, but has a wider beam. A special feature of the whaleboats was the combination of planking methods. The underbody was batten seam to give a smooth finish, but the topside strakes are clinker. The smooth underbody makes less noise through the water, a useful attribute when approaching whales or schools of fish.

The whaleboats are steered with a sweep oar and this may have been used on TERRA LINNA when launched. At some point soon after launch it has had a rudder fitted, and later an engine was installed. The early layout appears to have featured cross-thwarts, also typical of the whaleboat.

The 8.53 m (28 ft) hull is planked in Huon pine and the frames and keel are blackwood. It was designed and built by George Luckman at Sandy Bay and launched in 1881. TERRA LINNA was one of the first nine yachts registered with the Derwent Sailing Club, and won the 28-foot class race at the Hobart regatta in 1882, 84 and 85.

Originally it is believed to have been co-owned by the builder and H.W.Knight, but Knight is known to have been the sole owner from 1884. More lead was added at this time to improve stability, but when its racing career finished in the 1890s this was removed and the craft was then used only as a cruising yacht. Little else has been documented about the yacht until the 1980s when efforts were made to build up the topsides and partially deck the hull, but these alterations remained incomplete and the vessel was left ashore in Geilston Bay. In the 1990s it was taken over by Gerrard Williams and in 2006 TERRA LINNA commenced restoration to its original configuration. This was completed in 2012 and the vessel was launched in front of a huge crowd at Bellerive Yacht Club in early June. It will be sailing at the 2013 Australian Wooden Boat Festival.
SignificanceThe double ended cutter TERRA LINNA from 1881 was designed and built in Tasmania. It is one of the earliest surviving yachts in Australia, and has been rebuilt to its original configuration with a major restoration from 2006 to 2012. It represents a connection between the working boats and recreational yachts through its construction and hull shape.