The topsail schooner 'Lady of St Kilda' was built in 1834 for the wealthy Devon landowner Sir Thomas Dyke Acland. She was to become a key part in the development of the City of Melbourne at a time when untold prosperity was accelerating the growth of the City.

Designed as a 'fruit schooner' she served as a private yacht until she was sold to Pope & Co of Plymouth when she sailed out to Port Phillip Bay, Australia in1841. There she undertook several trading voyages for the merchants and shipping agents J B Were Brothers.

In 1842 she was prepared for a...