MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – 193O’s Photos = LADY VI

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MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – 193O’s Photos – LADY VI

Earlier in the week thanks to Rosemary Wakeman we had the great story on the launch – ESME.

Rosemary also sent in several other photos from her uncles (Ernie Sisson) 1930’s photo album. 

Two of them show a bridge-decker alongside a docked Clipper flying boat, location most likely Auckland.

Can we ID the launch. My guess is TASMAN, but I’m sure Nathan Herbert will have the answer 🙂

INPUT EX KEN RICKETTS – the launch is LADY VI – more here https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/04/14/mystery-launch-1404/

08–3-2025VINPUT EX OLAF WIIF – The photos of the flying boat are so cool.  It is NC18602 (number 18) and named California Clipper,  the very last 314 flying boat to be retired from service at Pan Am.  One of only 12 made, it had clocked up over a million miles in service. It dates the photo as being taken between March 1939 when Pan Am took delivery of its first 314 and 1946 when California clipper retired. 

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6 thoughts on “MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – 193O’s Photos = LADY VI”

  1. Here is another photo for you showing a Boeing Clipper in mechanics bay – looks like the same boat to me

    Cheers, Steve

    On Fri, 7 Mar 2025 at 12:16 AM, waitematawoodys.com #1 for classic wooden

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  3. To respond to Baden’s comment, my images were all taken by Tudor Collins of Takatu/Warkworth, I have one of my images very clearly showing North Head & Mt Victoria in the background so they must have been taken here. Will send you a copy Baden. — KEN R

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  5. I have a strong felling that this photo was taken at Laucala Bay Fiji during World War II. The Collings & Bell Doris (may have had another name then) was shipped up as a service launch and this may be her. The late Jack Taylor did a stint up there fixing the wooden boat fleet. I remember his saying they were very had on the boats.

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  6. LADY VI’s name is on a lifebuoy in one of my images & obviously pronounced LADY “VYE”) not Lady V one, or Lady 6, & it does not have an “E” as the last letter — KEN R

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