Mystery Launch 29-09-2015

Posted on by

Mystery Launch 29-09-2015
photos ex Harold Kidd

Harold bought the old postcard that the above images are from.  It’s obviously a Waitemata working launch with that fender on her bow but he can’t place the launch, any woodys able to help?

The reference to the ‘winning crew’ might mean it was a fishing excursion & possibly the ‘Mr. Davenport’ was the boss.

Zoomed in pic of the boat

Input from Chris McMullen
Could be the “Sambo” ? Was sunk at Nagles Cove in the 1960’s. Raised by Maurice Palmer and taken to his yard at 15 Clarence St Devonport. I worked on her as an apprentice boat builder. No idea of what happened to her after that.
Harold Kidd Reply
I hadn’t thought of SAMBO (or her sister JUMBO) and Chris is likely to be right. Both were built for Bentley & Pearce, later Auckland Towboat Co, by Tom Le Huquet around 1915-16. I last saw SAMBO (or was it JUMBO?) at the Paeroa Maritime Museum maybe 25 years ago. She was lying outside, a bare hull painted Union SS Co green and seemingly still sound. Someone out there will know where she is now, Baden/Russell in particular. Was it Barry Brickell who was going to install a Simpson Strickland steam plant in her? Or am I conflating stuff?
Photo of Sambo below, ex Barry Davis, that he took in 1973 on the hard stand at Half Moon Bay.

Discover more from waitematawoodys.com #1 for classic wooden boat stories, info, advice & news - updated daily - 14+ million views

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

6 thoughts on “Mystery Launch 29-09-2015”

  1. Barry was going to install the Simpson Strickland engine in Presto. He on sold the engine and it was in Greenbank for many years.
    There is a still a bare single skin heavy work boat hull at Paeroa, not sure that its very sound though!
    Daniel

    Like

  2. Yes, I think correct. Most of these heavy duty work launches were similar. Re Te Hauraki and her sister ship.

    Like

  5. I hadn’t thought of SAMBO (or her sister JUMBO) and Chris is likely to be right. Both were built for Bentley & Pearce, later Auckland Towboat Co, by Tom Le Huquet around 1915-16. I last saw SAMBO (or was it JUMBO?) at the Paeroa Maritime Museum maybe 25 years ago. She was lying outside, a bare hull painted Union SS Co green and seemingly still sound. Someone out there will know where she is now, Baden/Russell in particular. Was it Barry Brickell who was going to install a Simpson Strickland steam plant in her? Or am I conflating stuff?

    Like

  6. Could be the “Sambo” ? Was sunk at Nagles Cove in the 1960’s. Raised by Maurice Palmer and taken to his yard at 15 Clarence St Devenport. I worked on her as an apprentice boatbuilder. No idea of what happened to her after that.

    Like

Leave a comment