LINDA
photos ex Marlene Kendon & Robert Brooke
Several weeks ago I was contacted by Marlene Kendon, the great niece of Leo Swales (& Joseph Swales), now to the naive amongst us (thats me) in the early 1900’s the Swales were prolific owners of yachts & motor launches. Seems they changed vessels at least every two years. Some of the kin were even boatbuilders.
Marlene had in her possession two Swales photos albums, now I was interested, but when I mentioned the albums to Harold Kidd he instructed me to be VERY interested 🙂
I now have the albums & will be reviewing them with Harold & sharing with you all.
Amongst the collection were two loose photos of Linda – the 1927 Colin Wild launch that was almost destroyed by fire in the mid 1980’s & rescued by Robert & Russell Brooke.
I emailed Robert copies of the photos, one he had seen before (its already on ww) but the other (showing Linda underway) was a newbie to Robert. Robert returned the favour with four photos, two showing Linda as they purchased her in 1992, one of her half way thru the reconstruction. The final one has her off Salthouse’s in 1995, after the four year restoration.
Linda features else where on ww so hit the search box to see some early photos.
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I bought it – nive photo of LINDA. Thanks for the heads up. Alan H
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Hi …. I spotted a lovely framed photo of this boat in the west auckland hospice shop so googled the name of the boat just to see if it was still around and hence how I came across your website and see that she is. Here is the link to the photo incase anyone knows anyone invloved with the boat it looks like an old frame in original condition would be shame for someone to buy it for the frame and throw the photo away so thought I would comment http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=1145376961
regards
Tracey
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Likewise I thought that when I saw her there in the mangroves, a burnt out mess, on the old barge, at Beachaven, as well. A wonderful job, patiently, & brilliantly done. — KEN R
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I remember looking at Linda as a burnt out hulk in a boatshed at Beachaven. What an amazing job the Brookes did restoring her. That restoration would have been a story in its own right. DId Robert keep a photographic record do you think?
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What a story of success for poor Linda!
There is an art to marrying those timbers together to create fair again.
She’s superb isn’t she.
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What fab new photos, Roy Swales & family were part of my pre teen life & I knew them quite well, (neighbours as well as boating friends) so really relate to the one with Roy, with his white hair, out the hatch, — a beautiful glimpse at the past for me. — KEN RICKETTS
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