Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race to have new significance

by Ian Grant on 11 Mar 2001 Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race to have new significance

The Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race will have special
significance for the whole country this year, as part of
the centenary of federation celebrations.

One of the 70 contenders in the Good Friday race will
be the Laurabada, which is racing for the 49th time and
carries with it a piece of Australian history.

Ian Grant of the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club says
the Laurabada is made from timbers salvaged from
many sources, including the paddle wheel steam ship
Lucinda.

Mr Grant says the Australian constitution was drafted
aboard the Lucinda in the Easter of 1891.

'The actual steering wheel used on Laurabada since
she was launched has been made from teak timber
taken off the deck of the Lucinda, which unfortunately
now is a rotting hulk at the mouth of the Brisbane river,'
he said.