CLASSIC CLINKER LAUNCH – ELLEN

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CLASSIC CLINKER LAUNCH – ELLEN

Following on from the recent stories on the ex workboat – ARIANA / TE KAWAU, owned by Sven Wiig, today we see the launch ELLEN.

ThE photo was sent in by Sven and is from the Ryland family album, from which Sven obtained the TE KAWAU photos.

In the photo ELLEN is located in Wanganui and owned by Ted and Bill Ryland. Bill also owned TE KAWAU.

Looks like a fun day out with all the flags and the number of crew onboard. An unusual being clinker and double ended – maybe an import? Maybe an ex lifeboat converted to pleasure use, or maybe I’m totally wrong, which is often the case 🙂
Anyone know more about ELLEN

11-07-2025 INPUT ex LIAM DALY – There were at least two other ‘almost identical’ clinker built launches built by  Bob Swanson. One was named – TELSTAR and the other named – MANANA which was often mispronounced Mañana, named after a popular song of the day, translated from Spanish means, ‘tomorrow’ or ‘morning’.

Back in the day, MANANA was at one time owned by Bay of Many Coves identity Errol Christian. Errol installed a huge turbo charged 100 h.p. diesel engine in MANANA which he used as a water taxi throughout Queen Charlotte Sounds. Photo below, Liam thinks the photo shows Errol’s daughter-in law Lou at the wheel.

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4 thoughts on “CLASSIC CLINKER LAUNCH – ELLEN”

  2. To my eye both boats look to be conversions of ships’ boats/lifeboats. There was once a fashion for them as means for the non-wealthy to have a boat, and this was most popular in the UK. Some of the boats came from ships heading for the breakers’ yard, others became available as they were replaced by newer boats as apparently required from time to time. Memory suggests there were a couple of books written on the “How to Convert a Lifeboat” theme.

    As to Manana, early on Bob Swanson used her as a commuter/workboat at Blackwood Bay, and at the time was pretty basic inside. My father considered buying her at one point and we borrowed her from Bob for a few days. (The “OJ” bought Palomino instead.)

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  3. She has or had, what perhaps is, or could almost be, a very similar but unassociated sistership, in Freemantle Marina, Perth, Western Australia.

    I took a picture of her in c the1980s, & she was called “LAWENCE OF AUSTRALIA”!!! in huge letters ,in fancy script, on large nameboard, fastened to her brown painted coamings.

    You just can’t beat the Aussies, for a really great sense of humor!!! — KEN R

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