Harold Kidd Input – ARITA had a sad end. She was a double tunnel hull 48 footer with twin 15-20hp 2 cylinder Kelvins built for R.O. Clark & Co of Birkenhead by Logan Bros in April1909 but sold to H H Adams in June 1910 to replace ELIZA (now KUMI). Adams owned Moturoa Island in the Bay of Islands so this is where the pic was taken. She was active in NZPBA races and events until Adams sold her in 1919 to Charles Hansen (later of Moturekareka) who renamed her WAIOURU.
She reverted to ARITA for a while until Capt. G H White bought her in 1924 and rebuilt her for carrying 94 passengers on the run to St Heliers, Kohimarama, Orakei and Beachlands. A 45hp 4 cylinder heavy duty Gardner costing 500 pounds was fitted. He renamed her EDNA WHITE.
On 30th April 1927 she caught fire, was beached and burnt out at Kohimarama.She was valued at 3000 pounds, an enormous sum at the time.
All the buffs who rely on the Register of British Ships for source material say she was built in 1912 by Arch Logan because that’s what Capt White put down on the registration form in 1924. Maybe he thought “Arch Logan” carried more weight than “Logan Bros” and “1912” was preferable to “1909” or maybe he was just wrong/careless. I’ll bet on the latter, but this is how bunkum becomes history.
Here endeth the lesson………..

PS Note the “conning tower” control position right forward on the coachroof, an early move towards the bridgedecker.