The Alma Doepel is an Australian built three-masted tall ship based at Docklands. Built in Bellingen NSW and launched in 1903 by Frederick Doepel and named after his youngest daughter.
In 1917 Alma was sold to Henry Jones (IXL) in Hobart to transport timber and jam to the mainland and the South Yarra Jam Factory.
During the Second World War Alma Doepel was commissioned by the Australian Army, de-rigged, and transformed to serve in New Guinea carrying supplies and troops. She was known as AK82 (Army Ketch). After the war she was re-rigged as a three-masted, bald headed schooner and resumed trade across Bass Strait. In the ’60s she became a limestone carrier in Tasmania.
Alma was purchased by Sail and Adventure in 1976, after she had lain idle for 12 months following her decommission, to be restored as a youth training ship.
Today Alma is nearing completion with a refit below deck underway. Come along and check out her progress.