MYSTERY CLASSIC LAUNCH – Help Needed Identifying The Craft
Todays classic wooden launch photo was sent in by John Dawson with a comment that while ‘sorting out’ a box of old family photos, he found an old newspaper clipping of the above boat , and on the back someone had written ‘Awhina’. So the first question woodys – is AWHINA the name of the boat and then if so what do we know about her.
The bow pennant appear to have cross on it, as well as the hull, so maybe a vessel that serviced something medical related eg – quarantine ship / island , rehabilitation island (alcoholic detox) etc. Supporting this the word Awhina is Maori for – the helper, assist, support.
Can we learn more about the boat.
INPUT ex ROSS DAWSON – From Papers Past NZ Herald 23.7.1919…. Awhina “Hospital motor launch given by the NZ Power Boat Assn. for use in connection with the NZ Hospital ship Maheno….built in Auckland by volunteer labour in June 1915…launched June 10 1915…
30-04-2025 ex ROSS DAWSON – Copy of Papers Past clipping below which gives a full explanation of how this launch came about as charitable cooperation of number of Auckland boat builders. (click images to enlarge)
ATTENTION ROGER CAREY FAN’S
WW has been contacted by Trevor Cozens re the vessel GEM – refer below.
“I am not sure if anyone will be interested, but I have got the building moulds, stem and backbone patterns for Gem, built by Roger Carey. Also the basic lines drawings and a construction drawing for her. I was given them by a chap who used to work for Roger. I no longer have a use for them and if anyone is interested I am willing to give them away. I moved over to Picton from Greymouth 2001 and worked for Jim Carey until the yard closed 2009ish.
My email address is tjcozens@xtra.co.nz.
As featured 4 weeks ago on WW https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/03/29/classic-wooden-work-boat-gem/
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The photo of the Carey built vessel Gem appears to be in the Gisborne town basin and taken shortly after her delivery. The large white trawler moored astern of her is likely the Zame’s family vessel Dorothy May. Joan Clark, the well known Gisborne artist (and daughter of Roger Carey) records in her excellent book By Boats We Live that Gem was lost on the night of 27 Dec. 1962 near Pouawa with wreckage found the next day scattered along the east coast. The fragmentation suggests Gem was struck by a large log during a wild storm. Her skipper’s body was never recovered.
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From Papers Past NZ Herald 23.7.1919…. Awhina “Hospital motor launch given by the NZ Power Boat Assn. for use in connection with the NZ Hospital ship Maheno….built in Auckland by volunteer labour in June 1915…launched June 10 1915…”
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