MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN MOTOR LAUNCH – ZEPHYR AT WHANGAROA HARBOUR

Todays woody photo is another mystery launch that comes to us from the Far North District Library collection via Dean Wright. The photographer being Trevellyn Guest .

The location is Whangaroa Harbour and the date is unknown.

In the photo we see a straight stem launch with a tram top, the lack of a dog house may date the photo c.1910 > early 1920.                                                 Her unusual coamings window configuration may help with ID’ing the boat. That centre square (with curved top) window is a very distinctive feature.

Can anyone put a name to the boat and comment on its back story.

29-07-2025 UPDATE: As identified in the comments section by Fred Walker and latter confirmed via a phone call. It is ZEPHYR and was owned at the time by Joe Shephard who was managing the Whangaroa slip at the time.