MERCURY BELL / BELLE
Todays post was sent to me by John Pryor, who was handed the framed photo of Mercury Bell, taken at Sandspit in 1960. John commented that she appears to be a bridgedeckerised tram top of about 32 ft.
It had been hanging in the Kawau Island Yacht Club for a number of years.
On the back of the photo is written – “Owner E Mizen 120 Vivian Engine”. Now there appears to be some confusion here, as Harold Kidd has advised that Mercury Belle was built for E.E. Mizen of Mercury Island by Lidgard Bros in February 1938. She was a substantial 52 footer with a Canadian-built 120hp 6 cylinder Vivian engine at a cost of £4000 pounds, an astronomical sum at the time. Viewing the above photo Harold confirmed that its not the Lidgard boat, so somehow the photo & the script on the rear have been mismatched.
Anyone add anything more about the launch in the photo?
Also John has advised that if anybody knows the current owner, please let them know the picture is available if they want it.
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Re the Mercury Bell (Belle)
My father purchased a Mercury Bell ( sorry not dead sure about spelling) in approximately 1963. We had the boat at Karaka Bay on Gt Barrier, doing many trips for the community there called Orama, to Leigh and Ak. I think the length was 36 ft. We subsequently purchased The Kaha and the MB was sold. Would love to know more about the history. Gary Winger
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Hi , After speaking with my father he used a 36′ Mercury Bell out of leigh march 62 through to around June 63. My father got ill at this time and the boat was tied up short at Warkworth by some colleagues. If so is this the same boat if not has anyone got an idea as to what happened to her?
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My father used to fish from a boat with the similar name from Leigh 61-62?
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I am Edward Mizens granddaughter and I was interested to read about the two “Mercury Belles”. He did own the first vessel pictured here and then had the second 52 ft vessel built by Liguards in 1938. I have pictures of both vessels as they were our transport to and from Great Mercury Island which my grand father bought in 1929. Hope this clears up the mystery re these two boats.t
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