MYSTERY NAVY LAUNCH
Doing the fatherly thing the other day, walking the dog, I was doing a lap of the Devonport Naval Base (outside of the ’no go’ fence) when I spotted the above launch tucked under a tunnel house.
Wasn’t sure if it was there slowly decomposing or whether the navy were refitting her.
I suspect the above question will be answered quick smart by Chris Leech and hopefully we might learn more about the craft.
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Please correct me if im wrong, I remember seeing the other (White Lady) INEAWA behind Chris. Mc Mullens shed. I was told it was owned by the local Sea Scouts It was there for around 2 years from memory..
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Tsk tsk As a longtime Devonport resident you should at least know your Navy ships, probably built from top quality Kauri -it appears they saved a pound or two on the fastenings, ferrous stains…..What a waste.
To me Navy = traffic congestion on Lake Rd 😦 Alan H
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The Officers Motor Boat was an interesting boat to be coxn of, being narrow gutted one needed “way on” to keep good steerage, fortunately the boat had good stern power. When picking up at Admiralty steps on the morning run at 0745 there was always a very critical audience of PO & CPO s waiting for their boat. I do recall coming alongside at the steps and on going astern there was a distinct lack of response, lucky it was low tide and the only casualry was the mast as the forad half of the boat dissappeared under the whalf. On investigation the shaft had dropped out of the gearbox connection. Result tow back to base.
bryan Shankland.
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I concur, she is indeed the “White Lady”, the Officers Motor Boat. There are plenty of archive drawings of her. I believe she was owned by a family (details TBC) for a while and there was some deal (letters available, as have all the details at work) between the RNZN and the then owners about her future and how much the RNZN was prepared to put towards her restoration.
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The Officers’ Motor Boat (aka White Lady) built at the dockyard before WW2 -rolly old thing. Had a GM diesel and engine room telegraph -fun at admiralty steps: She did duties at the base for years and ended up with the sea scouts at Mt Wellington 1975 but sadly languished. Was at Chris McMullen’s for a time then vanished. And there she is as original -languishing but at least under cover. Lots of steel fastenings and maybe rot by the looks.
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