A brief history of Polly Woodside

The original owner, William Woodside, named her after his wife Marian Polly Woodside.

In her first years, Polly Woodside moved cargo to and from the United Kingdom and South America. She sailed around the infamous Cape Horn, on her maiden voyage and again 14 times, all before 1900. Before the Panama Canal opened in 1914, many ships sank at Cape Horn – known as the ‘Graveyard for Ships’.

Between 1900 and 1904, Polly Woodside made her first voyage to her future home, Australia. Polly Woodside sailed countless voyages between Australia and the United States.

In 1922 Polly Woodside became a coal hulk for use in Sydney and Port Melbourne. In 1943 the Australian Navy requisitioned her for war service. Polly Woodside refueled navy ships in Papua New Guinea for 3 years. She returned to Melbourne in one piece in 1946.

By 1968, although Polly Woodside was to be sank in the Bass Strait, a group of ship enthusiasts saved her. In 1968, the National Trust purchased Polly Woodside for 1 cent mooring her at South Wharf, Melbourne. Polly Woodside was the first merchant ship in the world to receive the prestigious ‘World Ship Trust Medal'.

Polly Woodside is a reminder of Australia's rich maritime heritage. Every year she welcomes hundreds of visitors. Next time you're looking for something to do in Melbourne, stop by and pay her a visit.