The Julie Burgess is a tall ship with a long, rich maritime history in the Tasmanian waters of Bass Strait. The 64ft wooden ketch was built in Launceston in 1936 and during her life linked the ports along the coast.

The vessel and its need to be preserved for future generations have prompted the Devonport City Council to embark on the enormous project of restoring the ketch and highlighting Devonport's amazing Maritime History. 

Since the announcement of Devonport City Council being granted $1.8m of Federal funding, the Julie Burgess Special Trust Committee has been active in undertaking planning for the restoration of the vessel. The project focus is to restore the vessel to her original condition with minor improvements being made where necessary.

An interpretive cultural complex, including foreshore building and port viewing platform where tours and information sessions will be available will add to the attraction of the Mersey River foreshore along Victoria Parade.

Maritime History

The wooden ketch Julie Burgess is the last in a long line of vessels owned by the Burgess family, a family held in high regard, who once played a large part in Victorian and Tasmanian Maritime History.
Five generations of Burgess ship masters since the 1830's have sailed and built some of their ships.
The vessel Julie Burgess is known far and wide in Maritime circles and is recorded as a vessel that should be preserved because of her history and her role in Tasmanian and mainland waters.