Nahlin

In the last few weeks the Waitemata Harbour & outer gulf has been graced with the presence of one of the most beautiful vessels afloat – Nahlin. I have posted recently about her but I was sent last week by CYA member Nathan Herbert, two photos of Nahlin from the 1930’s anchored in Whangaroa Harbour. Given that she was launched in 1930 & her first owner Lady Anne Henrietta Yule had requested “a steamship built that could take me around the world in total comfort”, she was probably on her maiden circumnavigation. It took her 80 odd years to make it back, but it was worth it. In between she had a very colorful life – In 1937 King Edward VIII chartered her for a cruise of the Adriatic with Mrs Wallis Simpson aboard. The Kings one request before departing was for the library to be cleared of all books to allow more alcohol to be stowed 🙂

Lady Yule must have been as my son would say – ‘well wedged’, in total she ordered 3 steam yachts from shipbuilders John Brown & Co, all 300ft plus. Lady Yule sold Nahlin in 1937 to the King of Romania for 120,000 pounds, a staggering amount back then.
Before being rescued from Romania in the late 1990’s she had been a floating museum, floating restaurant.
Her restoration was a rocky road with the ship yard going into receivership. She was recommissioned in 2010 & is currently owned by British industrial entrepreneur, Sir James Dyson.

The name, Nahlin is taken from the native american word meaning ‘fleet of foot’ & at 300′, with the top speed of 17+ knots, she is that. There is a figurehead of a native american wearing a feathered headdress beneath her bowsprit.

In the bigger photo, on the right is Milford Island & Peach Island behind, on her starboard side.

b/w photos ex British Museum Collection