IRON FLINDERS

My parents took my two sisters and I (an eleven year old) to see this ship launched. It was launched sideways, at just after dawn. It slid down the ramps at a much faster pace than anticipated and appeared to be out of control. On the opposite wharf, where it was headed, there was much yelling and running as the spectators hurried to get away from the waters edge. On my side, I remember a large number of logs and planks flying in the air and very loud "Cracks" as at least 2 large ropes snapped. The ship actually hit the opposite warf doing some damage, but luckily no one was injured. I remember going home to our farm inspired and building a canoe out of a sheet of corrugated iron. It was so narrow it could only fall over so I had to build another one and join them together with two timber beams.