CLASSIC WOODEN EX WORK BOAT – ALBATROOS V – BROKEN UP
The 64’ Millar& Tunnage ex tugboat – ALBATROSS V last made an appearance on WW back in May 2022 when we reported that after a lengthy time on the market she sold for $7,100.
Over the next few years she would regularly pop up on tme for sale again. I do not know the history behind her but at one stage the starting bid was $1, and no reserve………. Link to the May 2022 story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/05/18/albatross-v-sold-for-7100/
Recently WW was contacted by Dick Fisher (MV AKARANA), Dick is currently undertaking a major rebuild / refit of the 1934 Chas Bailey & Sons built ex work boat – MELODEON . Link here to WW story. https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/09/25/update-on-melodeon-restoration/
Dick advised that ALBATROSS had been pulled onto the slipway in Port Road, Whangarei for dismantling. A sad ending to what Dick described as a very well built grand old lady.The only upside to her demise was that Dick was able to ‘harvest’ some of her bronze fittings, which will be up-cycled on MELODEON.
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Sadly I guess she’ll be burned for the non ferrous scrap that will be left in piles once the flames subside. There was a HUGE amount of non ferrous in her and that fetches good money. Massive bolts held the keel timbers together. Sad that the smog from the fire will contribute to the global warming. Good trees that were once sacrificed to build her will now exact their final toll on us. Can’t help but think that the fwd section would make a good man’s shed and other bits too. A bit like an old ship of mine was tipped on to her side and used as a feature in a house on the way out of Whanganui.
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I was studying in Dunedin when the J R Harland was built and had the chance to bimble across into M&T’s shed: The RNZNVR launch was berthed beside M & T’s yard and I was often there.
The HUGE pieces of fine timber that went into her structure and the massive horn timbers (that I stood and admired for ages until the Navy HDML’s Foden engines roared into life signalling her imminent departure) were just breath-taking. And the smell of that freshly sawn timber. I knew then that I would never get the chance to see that sort of boatbuilding again on that scale.
Then her happy life as Pilot in Napier near her smaller sister in Gisborne working on the East Coast back when ports appreciated and could afford such boats. I saw he years later in the guise of Albatross V -the new owner needed her having got a contract to construct some water outlet or somesuch somewhere I forget.
Then the slow downhill trend to oblivion to what we not see. She taught many people that the initial purchase price is only the start.
Man’s inhumanity to boats. Some people should be denied admission past the pearly gates….
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Just so sad.
A grand and pretty ship.
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