Is it the Black Pearl? Is it a ghost ship? It is neither. It is Notorious, a recreation of a 1480’s caravel, researched, designed and constructed by Graeme Wylie. Here, wife Felicite Wylie shares the story of the non-notorious caravel.
Our story began decades ago when Graeme witnessed the destruction of hundreds of tons of Monterey cypress windbreaks from around farms in the southwest of Victoria. Bulldozed into immense bonfires, this timber was (and still is) destroyed in the paddocks around farms (and city parks and gardens) in the dairy wonderland of southwest Victoria.
Graeme built a horizontal bandsaw capable of milling seven feet diameter logs. The gathering of felled trees from landowners followed. He began by using the reclaimed timber to create beautiful furniture, of massive dimensions and designed to last many generations. After a number of years in this cut-throat industry, and with over 300 tons of logs adjacent to our home, he decided to build something that would use all the wood, and require building only once!
Although actively involved in motorsports in his youth and beyond, Graeme always enjoyed “messing around in boats”. His decision to build a boat was supported by me in that I knew he would be happiest and fulfilled by this next project and life chapter. I returned to the workplace as a registered nurse, while Graeme undertook this incredible undertaking.
Why the caravel?
Graeme spent two years researching and designing Notorious. His choice of vessel was made for a few reasons.
The legend of the Mahogany Ship is close to the heart of many Southwest Victorians. Last seen in 1886, this ancient wreck was first sighted by Europeans in 1836, and is now thought to have been a Spanish or Portuguese caravel from 1522.
The wreck disappeared—either buried by sand, cut up for firewood, or covered by the sea—and when its importance was recognised, the long and unending search for this wreck began. If ever found, this wreck will rewrite the discovery of Australia as having occurred more than three hundred years before Captain Cook.
The caravel is an interesting vessel, featuring a lateen rig, a shallow draught, a wide and beamy hold, and with manoeuvrability belied by her ponderous appearance.
These ships were designed by a prince of Portugal in the 14th century, Prince Henry The Navigator. The design enabled an oceanic passage to the riches of The East, through unknown waters to an unknown destination.
The caravels were small ships ranging from 30 to 100 tons, lightly manned by sailors and soldiers, and easily sailed by a small crew. They were fast, could sail into the wind somewhat, could explore upriver, and were heavily armed.
The caravel existed in an ever-changing form for about one hundred years, before the Spanish and the Portuguese began building bigger ships to bring home their ill-gotten gains. The caravels then became escort vessels for these wealth-laden naus and galleons.
These vessels were the first to circumnavigate the world. However, archeological evidence is yet to be found of a caravel worldwide.
A unique existence
Notorious is the only caravel in the Southern Hemisphere.
Graeme’s decade-long construction began with laying the keel in April 2002, and the final plank being laid in November 2010.
Notorious was launched at Port Fairy on February 7th, 2011. Although fully constructed, Notorious required fitting out, and the next ten months were spent raising funds and readying her for sea trials. In December 2011, Notorious sailed to Portland, in 50 knot winds, returning the following day.
The next month saw Notorious depart Port Fairy on her maiden voyage to Port Phillip, to be featured at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club Wooden Boat Festival, berthing in Corio Bay for three months.
Since then, Notorious has sailed over 10,000 nautical miles along the Southern and Eastern coasts of Australia, featuring at Wooden Boat Festivals and visiting and Opening for Inspection at many ports between Hobart and Port Douglas.
The visiting public are entranced by Notorious, her story, and her history. People are astonished that such a vessel is indeed a sailing ship, and that she is our home. People are amazed that Notorious is sailed by two people, and has sailed from Victoria to Tasmania and Queensland. People are astounded that this caravel replica was researched, designed and created single-handedly by one person, with no financial assistance from any government body. Globally, in the maritime arena, Graeme’s achievement is unique.
In a nutshell, Notorious is an amazing story of Graeme Wylie’s creativity, endurance and self-belief. Notorious is indeed food for thought for many of the visiting public, especially in today’s era of modern technology both on land and at sea. She evokes many questions from the visiting public, and remains an enigma for so many.
To follow the Notorious voyage, visit their Facebook page ‘notorious’. Contact Felicite at 0427633298.
Notorious Caravel Specifications
LOA: 17.5 m
Beam: 5.5 m
Draught: 2.1m
Displacement: 58 tons
Timber: Monterey cypress
Ballast: 12 tons Bluestone
Fastenings: Australian hardwood (tree nails)
Steel bolts in keel and knees
Lateen rig
Exterior finish: linseed oil, pure turpentine, Stockholm tar and pitch (Medieval varnish).
