RESTORATION OF TE UIRA BEGINS
Pleased to announce that the restoration of 45’ C & W Bailey built (1896) Te Uira has finally begun in Australia.
During the week I was contacted by Colin Grazules with the news – I’ll let Colin tell you the story.
“We have constructed a new wee shed to house the old girl and the steel and iron keel has been removed.
At this stage we are envisioning that the restoration back to her original condition should take 2 to 3 years all going well.
The owners wish is to return her to as close to her launch configuration as possible.
We will begin by removing the ribs that were added to stop her leaking in 1898.
But we need your help.
We need if possible a detailed plan of where the original stringers were installed and the triangular beam that sat on top of the floors?
A plan or photos of what the original keel would have looked like would be greatly appreciated.
I have a copy of Robert Brooke’s book ‘Beautiful Boats’ but unfortunately the plans in the book have little detail on this.
A deck plan would also be of great assistance including including where the original mast step would have been installed etc.
Well this is just the start and I’m hoping this will become an ongoing conversation to ensure that we can do justice to Te Uira and her heritage!!
I intend to post the restoration on the NZ Classic Yacht Forum and on the Cygnet Wooden Boats FB page and will keep you appraised of the progress.”
Below are two videos of the keel removal.
Previous Input From Harold Kidd
TE UIRA (usually shortened in Oz to UIRA) was built by C.& W. Bailey and launched on 17th October 1896 for Gidgeon Palmer of Melbourne as a 5 rater.
She was taken across by the steamer TARAWERA with Chas. Bailey Jr going with her to settle her in.
She was quite successful in Melbourne but came up against SAYONARA, the bigger Fife-designed cutter.
She raced in Melbourne with the St. Kilda club for many years, converted to a Marconi rig in 1925.
She was taken across by the steamer TARAWERA with Chas. Bailey Jr going with her to settle her in.
She was quite successful in Melbourne but came up against SAYONARA, the bigger Fife-designed cutter.
She raced in Melbourne with the St. Kilda club for many years, converted to a Marconi rig in 1925.
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Hi Michael, do you mean HEATHER BELLE built by W. Neilson of Waiharakeke, Kawhia in 1917?
If so she was designed by and built for Roberston of Wanganui, later at Manukau renamed KARAN.
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Te Uira = great design lines and insight for a fast hull way back in 1896 !!!!! ——– I am restoring a 27 ft double skin kauri sloop (1915), built in NZ = ” Heather Belle ” ; which ended up abandoned on Waiheke Island >>>> now with me in >>>>>Tauranga . Anyone who has some history/knowledge/photos of this great little yacht, please contact me at —— michaelrayofsonlite@gmail.com —— “awesome”
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Always good to see pictures of my Sons Boatyard
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HOORAY!
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More photos and video added. Alan H
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