LADY CLAIRE
photos from Nathan Herbert & Papers Past, details from Harold Kidd & Jason Prew.
Lady Claire the 42′ bridge deck cruising launch was launched on 14th Oct. 1935. Built by Colin Wild at Stanley Bay for W.J. Reid of Herne Bay. Reid was Des Townson’s grandfather.
Lady Claire is currently owned by Bruce Carter. Colour photos at the marina.
Harold Kidd Update
She was launched with a 160hp Lycoming but Stan Headland replaced that with a 105hp Kermath in 1952. G M Lagan owned her for a while around the 70s and Bruce Carter recently (still?). Lovely craft.
PS Wild used Lycomings around this time. WAIRIKI, the 39ft bridgedecker he built for L E MacQueen in October 1934 also had an 8 cylinder 160hp Lycoming, essentially the same engine as in the straight 8 Auburn car of the time.
04-07-2015 New Photo Below
Chris McMullen sent the photo below in from his files. It was given to Chris by the late Des Townson. On the back is written Lady Claire. 42ft OA Built by Colin Wild. For WJ Reid 1935. Who we know was Townson’s grandfather.
Chris once saw a photo of the same vessel on the wall of Des’s office. Hopefully someone has it still & a copy might surface on ww – a job for Bruce Tantrum maybe ?
Chris commented that when you look at both Lady Claire & Wirihana – one of the reasons for their good looks is the absence of safety rails forward. These days health and safety concerns encourage safety rails which need to be one meter high as on commercial vessels to do much good, lower than that they can pitch you over the side. Wiihana is still ‘nude’ of rails but there are lots to hold on to on Wirihana.
Lady Clair (L) & Lady Eileen at Gulf Harbour May’14
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my uncle ray hare had this boat here in wellington from mid 1950s till around 1970 odd. He was a marine engineer and fitted the ford diesel to it that was brand new , these motors were fitted to the ford trader trucks.
We spent many holidays cruising down to and around the the north end of the south island.
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My dad owned her probably from the mid 80’s until 1989/1990ish. I was quite young at the time but have fond memories of going cruising and doing a bit of fishing.
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I remember doing a day trip from Kawakawa bay to elephant cove, with John McCallum (used to look after the Boat for Uncle Ted at times), we caught lots of Kawhai while cruising across. Great memories she used to clip along quite nicely, I thought she was a big boat back then.
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Hi David, do u have any photos of her from when your father owned her? If so email them to waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Many thanks Alan
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My father Ken Tucker, bought the Lady Claire off Ted Ashby in 1971 and owned it until the early to mid eighties. He previously owned 2 older boats but always admired the Claire and was finally able to buy it. During his ownership, he replaced the Ford motor with a Caterpillar. We enjoyed many family trips and occasions on her over the years. David
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Anyone got some contact details for Bruce carter please?
I would like to see if I could get a looksee on board as I did cruise on her as a “nipper”
Bill Townson (grandson of Bill “Harpuka” (sometime “Harbugger”) Reid)
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New photo added. Alan H
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Well, it’s got to have W.J. Reid, Des Townson’s grandfather, aboard somewhere.
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BRUCE STILL OWNS THIS VESSELL IN TAURANGA.
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Lady Clair was owned also by Ted Ashby. He bought her when he won the Art Union.
(early lotto)
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I bet the fees went up with the name change 🙂
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Bruce still owns her I did a fair few dive trips with him on her in the 90s
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She is indeed! Bruce has owned her since 1990, and has been living aboard for the last several years.
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Ok Ok simmer down. That’s what I was told and clearly incorrect. Nice big boat nonetheless
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Definitely NOT owned by “the parents of the West Harbour(?) marina manager”. Where on earth did that come from? She’s owned by Bruce Carter, well known in the diving world, and has been for many years. Apart from being a dive inspector, Bruce is a professional standard photographer; I’ll see if I can get him to contribute some good up-to-date pics.
N.B. What was Westpark Marina was renamed and re-branded “Hobsonville Marina” in February
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PS Wild used Lycomings around this time. WAIRIKI, the 39ft bridgedecker he built for L E MacQueen in October 1934 also had an 8 cylinder 160hp Lycoming, essentially the same engine as in the straight 8 Auburn car of the time.
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She was launched with a 160hp Lycoming but Stan Headland replaced that with a 105hp Kermath in 1952. G M Lagan owned her for a while around the 70s and Bruce Carter recently (still?). Lovely craft.
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LADY CLAIRE was owned by Stan Headland an insurance man, in the mid later 1950s & 60s era & he bought her when he sold the LADY JOAN.
Had a petrol engine — perhaps a Kermath or Graymarine flat head 6 cyl, later replaced with a Ford Diesel — Lost track of her after that. She was magnificent in those days with her lovely varnished coamings he kept her pristine — great to see her turn up — Looked a little like the Clark LAFDY MARGARET — KEN RICKEYTTS
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