WAINUI (II)
There as been a lot of activity in comments section of ww in regard to Wainui. The original story I posted on her back in June 2013 under the headline ‘Getting Hooked’ told the tale of her current owner Phil Parks & how he came to own the classic wooden launch Wainui. Its a good story & can be viewed at the link below –
Last Friday the post popped up again & we uncovered some insight into her past & some wonderful details & photos from Harold Kidd. Phil Parks advised that the restoration project was now scheduled to start in late 2014, aside from other things in life getting in the way, there was a wee oops that saw Wainui sink at her mooring.
Firstly a brief history of WAINUI II
- Built by Joe Slattery c1924 for E.O. Ward.
- Wrecked on Rangitoto February 1936 and badly damaged.
- Ward sold to Val Maxwell, teacher at King’s College, as a wreck. Maxwell rebuilds probably close to present configuration.
- Maxwell sells 1939.
- Later owners include Sandy Searle 1967-72, then Dr. Ranginui Walker 1972, gap of 3 years then John Hobden 1977-81, Stan Bayer 1981-84, N Amos 1984-7, Ken Meyer 1987-90.
- Capt. John Harrison (ex-skipper of HMNZS TUI), Harold has fond memories of the TUI wardroom, bought her at Sandspit 1990 in poor condition with 40hp Ford Ebro. Orams rebuilt her substantially 1991-2. John renamed her Tilikum and kept her at Parua Bay then sold shortly after and went back to sail.
Photo Gallery of WAINUI II
# 2507 was taken in 1928 alongside the Bayswater Wharf. Note the steam trams.
# 2505 shows her being launched for the season from Bailey & Lowe’s. This pic was used in the Herald on 24/10/30. The yacht on the right is almost certainly Ladye Wilma on Heartseae’s cradle.
# 2506 shows her on the rocks at Rangitoto in February 1936 (same image as used in the header)
- #2506
# 2509 she’s at Lees at Sandpit in April 1990 when John Harrison bought her, looking fine but seriously rotten.
# 2508 at Orams in Whangarei under major reconstruction in April 1991.
# NZ Herald 4 Feb 1936 (Papers Past) – high on the rocks at Rangitoto. The 6 occupants were washed out of the cockpit, with 2 females being injured.
- NZH PP 04/02/36
# NZ Herald 6 Feb 1936 (Papers Past) – showing the extensive damage she sustained.
# Current Photo 2013 (low res image)
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Any updates?
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Ha! That’s clever of you to make the connection. Wainui has been taken up the road to Phil’s batch (Te Point) for some TLC, thankyou for the reminder as Phil had asked us up to see the progress and we haven’t yet made it happen. Isn’t it just going to be a money thing with poor ol Aquiesce. Do you think the motor has been flushed out or is that the least of her problems do you think?
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Anyway. the damage she seemed to have survived gives some hope for Aquiesce in her present parlous state.
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Im with Pam on this as the slipway boat is very slab sided and Bayswater one more pleasantly shaped, apart from the other differences. Glad its not just me being picky.
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I agree with Pam that there are 2 differing boats here:obvious changes between the two boats as per masts, belting, rubbing strips and portholes. Problem for me do I continue to ponder these numerous differences which could take some time or get back to marking senior exam papers…………. always a difficult one.!
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Hmmm I’m not too sure about this…
I wonder if the boat featured in photo 2507 and 2505 are the same boat.
Take a look at the cabin configurations. The belting and rubbing strips are carried forward to the bow and in the other photo they stop short of the bow. Count the port holes and the masts…
What do you think guys?
Pam
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Ahh yes I read that, just thought you were talking about another boat- ‘Wainiu’. 😛
???? no typo there??? 😉
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Read the post 🙂 she sank on her mooring at Ti Point so that & life in general has meant the project has been iced for the last year. Due to start again later (Dec) this year.
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A great selection of photos there- if she was built anything as well as Pacific I can see why she was worth saving 🙂
Any update on current status a year into ownership?
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