RESTORATION OF A NEW ZEALAND CLASSIC WOODEN YACHT IN AUSTRALIA – ROXANE 

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RESTORATION OF A NEW ZEALAND CLASSIC WOODEN YACHT IN AUSTRALIA – ROXANE 

Back in May 2018 we ran a great story about a gent named Keith Dawson that was celebrating his 105th birthday and we learnt of Keith sailing to Australia back in 1937 onboard the Tercel brother built 26’ yacht – ROXANE. Link here to that story below –https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/05/13/roxane-a-105th-birthday-party/ make sure you read the comments section – lots of chat there.


Now fast forward to early Sept and WW is contacted by Ralph Finch from Queensland in Australia – a summary of Ralphs notes to me below –
“I’m in the process of purchasing the little boat called Roxane that you have on the WW site.  Roxane has sat in a back yard in Townsville for last 25 years partially restored. I’m beginning the process of completing the restoration.I’ve read snippets about her history and would love to fully document the history and contact past owners and descendants and anyone previously connected. Roxane is now 90 years old and my intention is to eventually get her back in the water and sailing again.The centenary would be an exciting maritime event for both New Zealand and Australia I think.”

“I have already begun cleaning up and restoration work. The photo of her on the transporter was taken about 20’ish years ago as she was removed from the Townsville Slip Ways to go to the owner’s house where she sits till this day. I am very excited to take this project on and eventually build a website dedicated to her with as much history as I can find. It’s important to me to trace and document all those connected to her. If you know any of those people or descendants, could you please let them know that Roxane is still alive.
She does have a brand new deck, cabin and cockpit. The cabin has been extended to just in front of the mast. The  owner has also built a new timber mast and boom.
I completed clearing away 20 odd years of rubbish from on, and around Roxane yesterday and took some clear photos.”
WW will follow this project and Ralph has promised to keep us updated. In the mean time as mentioned above he would love to hear from anyone with links to the yacht.  

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3 thoughts on “RESTORATION OF A NEW ZEALAND CLASSIC WOODEN YACHT IN AUSTRALIA – ROXANE ”

  2. Daniel (Dick) Wellington was a contemporary of Johnny Wray and regularly featured in ocean cruising exploits in the 1930’s. On the outbreak of war he joined the RNZAF and by 1943 was with 7 Squadron RAF Oakington as navigator on a Short Stirling bomber. They were shot down enroute to Berlin 27/28 March 1943. He is buried at the Oldenburg British Military Cemetery.

    https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19430416.2.53?end_date=31-12-1945&items_per_page=10&phrase=2&query=daniel+wellington&snippet=true&sort_by=byDA&start_date=01-01-1938&title=ALG%2CACNZC%2CAKEXAM%2CAS%2CAKTIM%2CBRATS%2CDSC%2CFRTIM%2CKWE%2CMANAK%2CNZH%2CNZHAG%2CNZ%2CTO%2CPWT%2CROTWKG%2CSUNAK&type=ILLUSTRATION%2CARTICLE

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  3. My brother, Keith Dawson passed away at 105,…a good “innings” albeit he always used to say that he would “pack it in” when he reached 110!

    He would be chuffed to know that Roxane would be restored.

    Roxanne was launched November 1934, built by the Tercel brothers for Mr Arthur Fisher, a jeweller in Whangarei. It was purchased in 1936 by Keith and mate, Dick Wellington with the intention of a voyage across the Tasman, & beyond.

    The story is told in a little 2006 self-published book, which, without an ISBN number is probably difficult to find today. (Voyage of Roxane.)They paid $380 & fitted her out for sea by, amongst other things, reducing her mast height from 36′ down to 27′.

    The two boys plus a (paying) passenger Les O’Brian, who had never been to sea before, departed Auckland in mid winter 1937 arriving Sydney via Norfolk & Lord Howe Islands after a somewhat stormy passage…at that stage, the smallest vessel to make the crossing.

    The two boys put Roxane on the market, selling her for $650, less 25% duty. Dick returned to NZ on the SS Wanganella. He joined the RNZAF and was shot down and died over Europe during WW2.

    Brother Keith met an attractive young lady, Betty on their first day in Sydney….followed by 60 plus years of marriage and three daughters later!

    in 1987, for Keith’s 74th birthday, the family shouted a holiday trip to Cairn’s where to his surprise he was reunited with Roxane,…50 years to the day since leaving NZ!

    Some years later he records that Roxane had been onsold and that the (then ) new owner John Keene was planning a major refit.

    It is great news that such is happening.

    Ross Dawson

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