Jack Brooke Cruise Collection #1 – Arohia 1952-53

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Jack Brooke Cruise Collection #1 – Arohia 1952-53

waitematawoodys would like to thank Robert Brooke for making the remarkable cruise drawings done by his father, Jack Brooke, available to ww followers. Jack produced a hand drawing on each cruise. Todays post is the first of several – enjoy.

The above drawing records the travels of Arohia during 3 events – the 1952 Ocean Race to the Bay of Islands, the Whangaroa – Mangonui Race & their Xmas 1952-53 Cruise.

Jack & crew were in great form with :- 1st to finish & 2nd on handicap for the Ocean Race. Winner of the Russell Regatta. 1st to finish & 2nd on handicap for the Mangonui Race. If you look in the top right corner there is a legend that shows the individual passages.

The cruise crew were made up of the Brooke family – Elsie, Jack, Donald, Robert & Judith + Elgin Rhind, Norman Leese & Tony Yates.

Harold Kidd Reply

Jack Brooke was a genius and a great teacher and leader. I’ll never forget the winter evening lectures the Squadron used to hold for secondary school boys (not girls) at its rooms in Endean’s Building at the foot of Queen Street in the ’40s and ’50s. Not only did we get taught all sorts of useful nautical things by expert people like Jack (“Mr. Brooke”, of course), Arthur Angell, Jim Frater, Bressin Thompson and Jim Faire, but there was cocoa and fruit cake in front of the fire. And the ambiance! Those oak-framed photographs of heroic Logan and Bailey gaff cutters and the glitter of trophies in the firelight. Then the ferry ride home on a steamer. Life-changing stuff!

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8 thoughts on “Jack Brooke Cruise Collection #1 – Arohia 1952-53”

  1. Ah the good old days. I well remember these lectures at the Squadron rooms in Endeans buildings. I was a border at Kings College 1949/1953 and a small group of us would catch the train into the city I loved those lectures we really looked up to the gentlemen named above and of course the food provided was a very welcome change from school food.. I remember one occasion someone produced a packet of cigarettes on the way back to college and we had a couple of puffs in the railway yards in Beach Rd..That would have been worth six of the best from headmaster Geoff Greenbank and probably gated for a leave Sunday but we didn’t get caught. I went on to become what was called in those days a “Junior Racing” member of the squadron and crewed on Rawhiti (Bruce Marler) Tawera (Scott Wilson) and then I down sized for several seasons on Stewart 34s in what was called the LD division…..great racing
    John Rankin

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  3. Arohia is on V pier at Westhaven in vg order but very seldom goes out. I have not seen her leave her berth in 3-4 seasons

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  6. Jack Brooke was a genius and a great teacher and leader. I’ll never forget the winter evening lectures the Squadron used to hold for secondary school boys (not girls) at its rooms in Endean’s Building at the foot of Queen Street in the ’40s and ’50s. Not only did we get taught all sorts of useful nautical things by expert people like Jack (“Mr. Brooke”, of course), Arthur Angell, Jim Frater, Bressin Thompson and Jim Faire, but there was cocoa and fruit cake in front of the fire. And the ambiance! Those oak-framed photographs of heroic Logan and Bailey gaff cutters and the glitter of trophies in the firelight. Then the ferry ride home on a steamer. Life-changing stuff!
    Sorry to wallow in nostalgia…………

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  8. I am truly Woww’d by this.!!!! Not just because it is beautifull illustration and fun loveing but from the heart, as art in any form draws, of this clever man. A big thankyou to the family, I feel incredibly ‘ let in’ to a glimpse of this successful warm family’s past.
    A wonderfull testament to the blog Alan and Harold, that these keep sakes, photos, story’s are let out and make a very successful record of maritime history in New Zealand, not only the boats but the associated family’s and that we may all participate in this if we wish.
    I look forward to seeing the other drawings of Jacks.
    Pam

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