MV Cape Don. museum and training ship.

MV Cape Don. museum and training ship. The official page of the historic MV Cape Don. A retired Commonwealth Lighthouse Service tender now utilised as a museum and training ship.

The cosmetic restoration of the main engine is coming along nicely.
02/06/2026

The cosmetic restoration of the main engine is coming along nicely.

Happy 64th birthday to the MV Cape Don!On this day 64 years ago the Cape Don was launched at the state dockyard Newcastl...
28/05/2026

Happy 64th birthday to the MV Cape Don!

On this day 64 years ago the Cape Don was launched at the state dockyard Newcastle. The first of the 3 motor Cape class ships.

Now in her 64th year she enjoys retirement as a museum, training and research ship.
Helping not only herself but other vessels both in service and historic as well as the community.

A series of photos of the launch.

(Photos. National archives of Australia)

17/05/2026

Whilst testing the Marconi Apollo receiver today the radio room team found an Spanish (italian had been heard previously) radio station.

From the archives. This oil can was from the Cape Don light station in the Northern Territory.The crest was hand painted...
15/05/2026

From the archives.

This oil can was from the Cape Don light station in the Northern Territory.

The crest was hand painted by a member of the Commonwealth lighthouse service.
Unfortunately who is currently unknown to us.

Our crew don't just restore, maintain and operate a historic vessel we have social events.Last Saturday evening a few o...
11/05/2026

Our crew don't just restore, maintain and operate a historic vessel we have social events.

Last Saturday evening a few of our crew had dinner at our local public house.

We had a 3rd visitor later in the day. HMAS Choules is a Bay class landing ship. Originally the RFA Largs Bay (royal fle...
09/05/2026

We had a 3rd visitor later in the day.

HMAS Choules is a Bay class landing ship. Originally the RFA Largs Bay (royal fleet auxiliary. A merchant service that supports the Royal navy)

Some visitors to the Don today.MT Sydport and ex navy workboat.
09/05/2026

Some visitors to the Don today.

MT Sydport and ex navy workboat.

Ian working in one of the stairwells between the main and upper decks.It's looking amazing now.
09/05/2026

Ian working in one of the stairwells between the main and upper decks.

It's looking amazing now.

On long term loan from the owner this life ring will be receiving attention from our conservation team before going on d...
05/05/2026

On long term loan from the owner this life ring will be receiving attention from our conservation team before going on display.

The lifering dates from the SS lurgurena's time under the ownership of the department of main roads.

The SS Lurgurena was a car ferry. A future post will give more details.

After a busy weekend working away onboard some of the crew settled down to watch a movie. Maritime themed of course.
27/04/2026

After a busy weekend working away onboard some of the crew settled down to watch a movie. Maritime themed of course.

Address

2 Balls Head Drive
North Sydney, NSW
2060

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