College icon sails home

Restored ex-Royal Australian Naval College (RANC) yacht Franklin II sailed back to her former home port of HMAS Creswell in Jervis Bay on April 21.

CAPTION: Franklin II enters the waters near HMAS Creswell in Jervis Bay, NSW, accompanied by Navy One. Story by Lieutenant Commander Dave Jones. Photo by Able Seaman Susan Mossop.

Franklin II, the Sydney to Hobart yacht, was escorted into Creswell boat harbour by the current Navy yacht, Navy One(formerly Franklin III), where the owner, Peter Schwartz, was presented with the original nameplate and the plaques recording her Sydney to Hobart ventures.

The yacht was built at Garden Island in 1962 and entered 12 Sydney to Hobart races in her defence career until sold in 1995.

While researching the history of sailing at the RANC, Navy heritage staff discovered that the Franklin II was being comprehensively restored.

Mr Schwartz invited the team to inspect the yacht and the idea was sown to have the yacht visit her home in Jervis Bay.

On arrival, the Franklin was met by the establishment’s Commanding Officer Captain Warren Bairstow and RANC Commanding Officer Commander David Shirvington.

They were accompanied by a host of new entry officers, as well as other interested staff and some former crews of the historic yacht.

“Through the years, naval officers under training have learned their skills, met challenges together, developed their resilience and learned about the sea in these yachts,” Captain Bairstow said.

Captain Bairstow and Commander Shirvington then presented Mr Schwartz with the original Franklin II plaques.

Mr Schwartz and his partner Karen are sailing Franklin II to her new home in Tasmania.

CAPTION: Restored yacht Franklin II enters the waters near HMAS Creswell in Jervis Bay. Photo by Able Seaman Susan Mossop.

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