September 29, 2026
LETTER: Tall ship in Fingal Bay The Søren Larsen, as photographed by Dale Sim.

LETTER: Tall ship in Fingal Bay

DEAR News Of The Area,

I SNAPPED a few pictures of the Søren Larsen tall ship in Fingal Bay. She sheltered [overnight on 22 September, 2026] in lee of Fingal Island and was still there this morning.

According to the Sydney Harbour Tall Ships website, the Søren Larsen, built in 1949, was one of the last fully traditional, cargo carrying sailing ships made for Baltic trade.

She was restored and re-rigged by the Davies family in 1978 to the graceful 19th century Brigantine she is today.

Søren Larsen has featured in films and television programs including ‘‘The Onedin Line’, ‘French Lieutenant’s Woman’ and ‘Shackleton’, to name a few.

In 1982, during the filming of ‘Shackleton’, she became the first wooden sailing ship to reach Arctic Greenland in 70 years.

In 1991 she was the first British Tallship to round Cape Horn in 68 years.

Søren Larsen was the Flagship of the First Fleet Re-enactment Voyage. She led a fleet of seven square-riggers on an ambitious eight-month journey from Portsmouth to Sydney.

Regards,

Dale Sims,

Port Stephens.

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