BABY LU
Earlier in the week Ken Ricketts sent in the above photo of the launch Baby Lu. The photo is ex the NZ Herald 12 October 1929 issue, and comes to us via fb.
The NZH story was highlighting the fact that the previous week, Baby Lu had been stolen from her Auckland mooring and was found abandoned several days later afloat off Bucklands Beach.
Back in March this year we ran a story around a mystery launch ist photo below, at the time Nathan Herbert commented that (with a few alterations) Baby Lu could have morphed into this launch. NH also pointed out the similarities to another craft – named Waratah, 2nd photo below) that has appeared on WW.
Now that we have a tagged Baby Lu photo – what to the brains trust think around the DNA of these craft.
01-11-2023 UPDATE – Photo below of Baby Lu > Waeatah ex Harold Kidd
15-01-2024 UPDATE – photo below ex K Rickettsis probably Baby Lu (confirmed by Nathan Herbert)
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.
waitematawoodys.com #1 for classic wooden boat stories, info, advice & news - updated daily - 14+ million views 
So where are the other picks – this is starting to sound like a p_ss take 😦
LikeLike
yeah, bit of a lack of vision there Kevin. You need the other pics.
LikeLike
So pray tell- where are these other photos
LikeLike
There are a lot more and high res images, including Baby Lu when she was a flush decker with no raised cabin, doing about 20 knots. All 3 are undoubtedly the same boat.
LikeLike
I own Waratah and she looks nothing like Baby Lu
LikeLike
I agree, whilst the chine line aty the bow is not really visible in my image the positioning of the portholes to the belting are so identical in my view, all images are definitely of the same boat, notwithstanding she has had a few replacement sets of coamings along the way, but at least it seems she is still with us, & looking loved in the latest images shown, — WONDERFUL. — KEN R
LikeLike
You’re missing a few pics in the transition series, with those other pics it’s obvious baby lu is Waratah
LikeLike