Can We ID This Young Man Aboard MANAIA
Last week we ran a story that featured a photo of the pilot boat – MANAIA. At the time Paul Drake chipped in to say he was at the launching in 1963 at the P. Los yard and took the photo.
Russell Ward also advised he was lurking at the event.
A couple of days later Paul contacted me and commented that unlike Vintage Steamer Russell W) who scored a seat with the big shots for MANAIA’s launching, he was just part of the boatyard urchin brigade. Paul mentioned that there was another young guy, pictured in the photo above who he fell in with. After the launching, we bravely boarded the vessel for a closer look, until we were asked to leave after poking our heads down the engine room hatch (a step too far).
So woodys today we are trying to see if we can ID who Paul’s companion was. It would be very cool if he or someone else recognised himself through this WW story and made himself known.Russell Ward was sent the photo and asked if he was the young man in the photo, Russell’s reply was “it isn’t me and the bloke in the pic was far too clean cut to be any of his crew” 🙂
Link to the WW story mentioned above https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/04/18/launch-day-mystery/
Recent photos below – looking better than as launched.
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Hello,
i think approch might bring what i feel is a cool story about a little wooden boat, about 26ft capled Lapwing back in the circle, my m8 Maurice Burney of Bayswater traced his grand dads boat he built in 1920s to a dusty old shed buried under junk in the flat lands some where around thames or matamta, good story of were it travelled from coast to coast. the two older boat builders who beautifully restoered it, were he restored it, he may contact you if i put him up to it he loves telling the story of it, i wondered if you would be interested, best way for you to call him if you want. his ph no , 4452861, wrk 5271311.
maurice @mjlaw .co.nz, cheers gordon pengelly.
look forward to following you site
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My guess is owners son
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Paul and I discussed the pic -was he one of the M.A.G.S lads who were adrift that day -without a leave pass. He is very well-dressed and he has that bag slung over his shoulder. Also his hairdo is pretty cool. So I’d reckon he was news media or a salesman in the marine trade -she had some expensive kit on board.
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