CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – DONALD SUTHERLAND (MV USSCO / SEA HAWK) – On The Move
The 46’ classic wooden launch – DONALD SUTHERLAND, once named MV USSCO and also SEA HAWK, was spotted by Angus Rogers at Half Moon Bay Marina, Auckland on Tuesday on the back of a Boat Haulage rig.
We last saw her back in May 2023 when she had had an oops in a storm and ended up on the Tamaki Drive breakwater, as shown in the second group of photos. She has made several appearance on WW, links below.
WW Aug 2019 https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/08/30/donald-sutherland/
WW April 2023 https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/04/14/mv-ussco-4sale/
In the previous WW stories we learnt she was built by Collings & Bell in 1936 and commissioned by the NZ Government as a tourist / passenger vessel, also worked as a light house tender.
Not sure from the photos she is coming or going, I suspect leaving HMB as you dont need a transporter to launch + the ‘Kaiapoi’ name on the stern suggests she’s heading to the Christchurch region.
Anyone able to confirm the plans for her.
(Photo below – lunch day Jan 1936)
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@John Chambers I think she may be 4 skin?
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The Donald Sutherland Has spent the last two years at Half Moon Bay having a full tidy up, Its original 6L2 Gardner has been fully rebuilt, Its headed south for its interior to be updated.
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That is a lot of hull un supported out the back of the trailer for a long trip on nz roads , for an old boat ; just my view cheers JC
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This was my Dads old boat it had a 10 hp Single cylinder, Briggs & Stratton
Are you sure? sounds like that engine would be more suited to a lawn mover 🙂 Alan H
On Thu, 22 May 2025 at 10:12â¯pm, waitematawoodys.com #1 for classic wooden
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