News and events Sydney Harbour Federation Trust

Harbour Trust: News and Events

HMAS Voyager back at Cockatoo Island

The classroom on Cockatoo Island has an exciting new addition; a five metre scale model of HMAS Voyager.

The model was painstakingly constructed over more than nine years by Ken Taylor, a musician and guitar maker. He estimates it contains 45,000 individual parts, all hand-crafted.

Model of HMAS Voyager Every link of the anchor chain replicates the chain used on the vessel, the miniature telephones on the bridge have cables and the bollards shine with real brass.

The Harbour Trust plans to use the model to help interpret Cockatoo Island’s heritage, particularly the island’s role as a major shipbuilding centre.

History of HMAS Voyager

HMAS Voyager was launched from Cockatoo Island in 1952 after numerous delays during construction. She was the first fully-welded warship built in Australia and the first of three Daring class destroyers built for the Royal Australian Navy.

Around 9pm on 10 February 1964 HMAS Voyager collided with the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne during night flying exercises off the coast of Jervis Bay. HMAS Voyager sank and 82 men lost their lives. This was Australia’s worst peacetime military disaster.

Sponsorship and Donations Opportunity

The model of HMAS Voyager is currently on loan to the Harbour Trust from the Mosman Lions Club, which is seeking sponsorship and donations to purchase the model and find it a permanent home.

How can you see the model?

Join one of the Harbour Trust's regular tours to Cockatoo Island. They go four times every weekend, and information on these tours can be found by clicking here.

Further Information

For information and donations, contact Mosman Lions Club through the Lions Club website.