The fate of the oldest composite clipper ship in the world, the City of Adelaide, has yet to b determined. In the mean time, former TV host and science educator, Dr. Rob Morrison, has designed a simple paper pattern that students can cut out and put together in class, building their very own City of Adelaide ship-in-a-bottle.
Help bottle the clipper City of Adelaide
Former Curiosity Show host and science communicator Dr Rob Morrison is blowing wind into the sails of a long-running campaign to rescue the clipper ship City of Adelaide.
“Learning about sailing ships teaches you about geography, weather, mathematics, science, technology and social history,” Dr Morrison said. “It is a rich field for educators.”
The experienced ship bottler has made miniatures of the One and All, the Falie, Endeavour, Investigator, Edward John Eyre’s cutter, Waterwitch and many more.
But this pattern cuts a few corners, bringing the art and science of ship building well within reach of primary school children.
Dr Morrison is a member of the group working to return the real vessel, which belongs to the Scottish Maritime Museum, to South Australia and develop a City of Adelaide Seaport Village in Port Adelaide. The village would become a maritime display of historic vessels, including the Nelcebee, the Falie and the Yelta.
The 175th Jubilee project would commemorate the birth of the state of South Australia, due to be celebrated in 2011.
Thanks for the coverage; it is good to see that interest in these wonderful ships is world-wide. The City of Adelaide is a magnificent vessel, the oldest remaining clipper, and we are doing what we can to rescue her and bring her to Adelaide where she has earned a special place in our South Australian history. Anyone wanting the pattern and instructions (all free) can download them from http://www.bickfords.net
Rob Morrison