Bass and Flinders Maritime Museum receives historic wooden boat

MIRAGE before transport to the Bass and Flinders Maritime Museum.

 The Bass and Flinders Maritime Museum recently welcomed the historic wooden vessel Mirage into its collection.

It was discovered in a state of disrepair in a paddock near Sorell, Tasmania. For 20 years it has been cared for by the Port Sorrell Historical Group for 20 years, who recently offered it to the Bass and Flinders Maritime Museum.

Investigations into the vessel’s history are ongoing, however it is believed to date from the mid-late 19th century and may have been used as a goods transport and/or whaling boat.

MIRAGE before transport to the Bass and Flinders Maritime Museum.

A special dolly had to be created to move Mirage safely into the museum, where it will be displayed on a custom cradle hoisted above the ground so visitors can view it from different perspectives.