Laughing Lady Looking Very Shiny
Trolling the web I came across the Seven Oceans Boatworks facebook page, the above photos do not need any copy, if you want to see lots & lots of photos of the work being done on Laughing Lady, check out sevenoceansboatworks on facebook 😉
24-09-2016 Update – getting closer. Love the ‘n0w you see it now you don’t GPS unit” 🙂
MV Tiri – Radio Hauraki
I received an email over the weekend from Denis O’Callahan, owner of the classic launch Tasman asking for some help from the woodys – I’ll let Denis tell the story.
“I was sorting some memorabilia recently in preparation for the 50th anniversary of Radio Hauraki when I came across the old newspaper cutting above ex my mother’s scrap book.
As well as the MV Tiri and the Widgeon there is a nice woody and there must have been another vessel from which the photo was taken but I’m damned if I can remember either of them.
So can any Woody identify the launch and maybe even the photographer and his boat?
I certainly remember that day, our first out in the gulf (Nov 1966) before we had raised any kind of broadcasting antenna and here is the true story.
It was glassy calm and Captain Fred Ladd landed nearby with David Gapes and some newspaper reporters on board. Unfortunately when restarting, an engine flooded and cranking it flattened the 12 volt battery.
The Tiri had 24 volt batteries and we had lots of heavy cable on board so two of us rowed out to the plane in a dinghy and I climbed onto the wing. The cable hanging in the water pulled the plane in toward the ship so the guy in the dinghy had to tie the painter around a tail strut and row hard to keep them separated. Captain Ladd directed me to the battery compartment and I signaled to the Tiri crew to connect their end to the ship’s batteries. In a short time we had enough juice in the Widgeon’s battery to start the engines and we cast off the cable and the dinghy. So there I was on the wing with the plane taxiing around ready for take off. I had no option but to dive in and swim back to the Tiri.”
Markson > Pacific Sunrise > Last Vintage
I have been contacted by Samuel Wayne who has been working under a shipwright in Tasmania. They recently did many months work on the 110 ft ‘Last Vintage’ which has been renamed twice; originally it was ‘Markson’ & before that ‘Pacific Sunrise’. The reason Sam emailed ww was because this ship was purchased by the New Zealand Government and refitted circa the year ~2000 & Sam was wondering if ww knew any information as to where and who did the work.
While working on Last Vintage they replaced some planks, refastened the hull and rebuilt the rear living area / saloon walls (frame + exterior) to provide solid anchor points for the mizzen mast.
More information on the work done and many photos can be found at lastvintage.com.
Sam will be flying in to Auckland next week and driving around the northern island with his girlfriend and would appreciate the chance to look around and meet some of the people doing similar work on wooden boats or people that worked on the ‘Last Vintage’ while he is in the country. Contact is samdavidwayne@gmail.com
Rick McCay & Peter Boardman
Woodys on Tour
A bit of what they call thread drift today – I told Rick McCay when he sent me the above photos that him sporting a ww t-shirt in the USA was the only justification I needed to run the photos 🙂
Two of our nicest classic woody owners – Rick & Roz McCay {Luana] and Peter Boardman [Lady Margaret] caught up at this years annual USA Monterey Car Week and Pebble Beach Concours. Rick reports that the show features a great variety of cars and personalities.
The black Ford GT40 pictured above is the actual car that won the 1966 Le Mans 24 hr race driven by two Kiwis, Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon.
In one of the photos of Rick he is standing in front of what he thought was an boat upside down on a trailer, but it turned out to be a caravan, for sale for only US$217k. On their way up the coast Rick spotted a couple of shockers in the Santa Barbara Marina. A helpful American attempted to pronounce Waitemata Woodies…Why the tatty woodies! Rick couldn’t return the abuse because he didn’t even own a boat 😉
Remember to click on photos to enlarge.
BETTY J301
The 1940’s photos above ex the Tudor Collins collection at the Auckland Museum show the Bob Stewart designed 31′ launch Betty. She was built in 1939 by Collings & Bell for Bob’s father-in-law. Betty has had several name changes, refer the two blue links below to view & read about her over the years, home these days is Lake Rotoiti. The photos were emailed to me by numerous woodys (including Ken Ricketts).
These photos show her as US Army J301, when she was ‘on-loan’ to the US Army but obviously on R&R duties here – can anyone ID any of the people?
Also whats the name of the anchored launch numbered #17 in the top photo?
HELP NEEDED
Looking for a Jim Young 23ft Hi Fi Sports Cruiser
A gent by the name of Colin Frankham is keen to acquire a Jim Young 23ft Hi Fi Sports Cruiser (runabout) for restoration – not worried about the condition. Colin can be contacted on (09) 4837040
LUCINDA RE-LAUNCHED
Well woodys, after nearly two & half years hauled out at the Milford Cruising Club slip, on Saturday afternoon, Nathan Herbert re-launched his 1930, 28′ L. Coulthard launch – Lucinda. A group of approx. 40 family & friends came together to celebrate the event & help ease Luci back into the creek.
A few cold beverages, some bubbles & a good old fashioned kiwi spread – sausage rolls, asparagus bread wraps, bacon & egg pie & a cake – doesn’t get much better my eyes.
In the above photos, you’ll see lots of Nathan sporting a PS (permanent smile) & rightly so, it was after, his day. I apologize for the background noise in the videos, the wind was howling at the time. Remember if you click on the photos, they enlarge 😉
You can read & see more on Lucinda here https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/05/18/lucinda-hauls-out/
While mooching around the creek I spotted something that I thought I would never see – the ex whale chaser, Rorqual sans her hot-house top, see photo below. It is only temporary as new owner Andrew Miller is half way through a make over that will see her returned to a similar look as before but utilizing the best materials & systems. And if I did not post a photo of Murray Deeble’s wee day boat I would have ended up in the creek 🙂
And its not too late to complete the on-line ww classic boating activity survey – click blue link below
Which classic wooden boat activities would you like to see more of ?
Alberta & Kiakoa – Stone Store, Kerikeri Basin 1923
Kiakoa & Alberta – Kerikeri Basin 1923
KIAKOA & ALBERTA 1923 SUMMER CRUISE
Janet Watkin (nee Pickmere) the daughter of AH Pickmere*, son of AR Pickmere, was sorting through her Dad’s diaries & boxes of old glass plates & uncovered the collection above. They show the two launches Kiakore & Alberta on their 1923 northern waters summer cruise, Janet commented to me that these two boats were typical of the cruising fleets of the day but by today’s standards, small!.
*AH Pickmere is of course the author of the famous Atlas of North Auckland Waters
I’ll let Janet & their father tell the story -enjoy 🙂
KIAKOA AND ALBERTA CRUISE TO THE BAY OF ISLANDS FROM WHANGAREI 1923:
Crews: Kiakoa – AR Pickmere & family; Alberta –Palmer Family.
Introduction by Janet Watkin
KIAKOA: a double ended launch built in 1906 by Bailey & Lowe for AR Pickmere of Whangarei.
Length 32 feet, 8ft Beam, Moulded Depth 3ft 6 in., Draught 2 ft. (From original plans now owned by JW. AR Pickmere bought the Winsome in 1924 and for a short time the family cruised in both launches. In 1926 Kiakoa was sold and no more is known of her. Winsome is still in the family and now owned by ARP’s grandson, DH Pickmere. The Pickmere boat sheds were on their property and the last ones up the river. J.W.
ALBERTA was built as a flushdecker by H.N. Burgess at Judges Bay in December 1913 and fitted with a 6/8 hp Automatic engine for which Burgess was the Auckland agent. A. Parsons of Ponsonby was her first owner. In 1914 she was repowered with a Model M Scripps from Lanes. From 1918 she was in Whangarei owned by the Palmer family. Maurice Reynolds bought her in 1959 and rebuilt her, then sold her in 1961. (From H.Kidd, Waitemata Woody.) Alberta lived in a boatshed on the banks of the Hatea River below the Palmers’ house at the end of Pentland Road and was still owned by the Palmer family until bought by the Maurice Reynolds. On the Winsome we cruised with Alberta in the 1950s when still owned by the Palmer Family & then when by Maurice Reynolds. Many of the boat sheds at the “bottom of the owners’ gardens” on the banks of the Hatea River were removed when the Eastern Bypass was built. When the new bridge at the Town Basin was built with less clearance, the few that remained gave way. J.W.
These Notes are from the Diary of AH Pickmere, ARP’s son, and the photos are from the original glass plates taken on that cruise by Mrs ARP. Kiakoa lived in a boat shed at the bottom of the Pickmere garden. The spelling of some places vary but are as written. Mr Palmer was a photographer and Eastwood Palmer, his son, became a Jeweller. J.W.
FROM THE DIARY –
JANUARY 1923:
20 Carried gear, provisions, benzine, bedding etc down to launch. Tidied up. … to Town Wharf where we got water. Left Home 11.45. Palmers – Alberta – were gone when we passed their place. (Got poles for canopy) Anchored for night at Onerahi.
21 Left 6.a.m. for Urquharts Bay where we found Palmers on Alberta, Jean II & Ranoni. We went for a walk ashore and started stowing gear and tidying up. Went over to Calliope Island. North Easterly blowing. Dad caught some schnapper – finished tidying up. Alberta tied up to Urquhart’s Wharf. Went round to Taurikura to see the Footes….Went to top of hill with Mr Gurr & Robin & Geoff who were going shooting……Back to Urquharts Wharf.. The wind continued strong so we decided not to go north tonight. Anchored for night on edge of Calliope Bank. I got up about midnight in a gale to take down the canopy we had rigged about midday.
22 Tidied Engine room ….. then we all went over to Robinson’s Beach to have look at the sea. Wind slowly dropping: decided to go on that night for Tutukaka – returned to the boats. Frenchman 4.45 p.m., Bream Head 5.20, Tutu’ Hd 7.40 p.m. (Jean II & Ranoni left earlier in the day for Barrier.) Everybody sick except Mr Palmer, his baby and me. Lovely trip up – got to Tutu’ about dusk and anchored near Opaia for the night. Towed dinghy. Big NE swell.
23 Left 6.10 a.m. for Whangaruru – inside Elizabeth Reef and Wide Berths – Beautiful trip. Carried dinghy on deck – nobody sick. Had a good swim in Post Office Bay & wash in fresh water. Lunch – Left 12 noon for Cape Brett. I slept on & off between Whangaruru & Whangamumu. Felt all right till we got round the Cape. Slow trip in with kelp round propeller. I was sick when we got into a horrible side roll off Deep Water Cove – wind NE. Carried dinghy on cabin top. Hove to inside a little Bay facing SW, Oruapukapuka Is. Went ashore and had a good walk around. Fished all round the bay but no luck. Bacon & Eggs for tea.
24 Dad, Ma, Mr Palmer & I went for a walk right to the summit of the island – kids played in the sand. Had a swim then lunch. Left about 3.0 p.m. for Russell – caught small kingfish on the way. Wind northerly, Anchored near wharf, phoned home, Had a walk ashore – church and round block,
25 Went over to Oneroa Beach in morning – H.rain – wind shifted. Got letter and papers. Left for Opua during a NW squall – pretty thick. Went up the hill at Opua – Got fresh milk at Morris’s on top of hill – nice view. Anchored for night at bay at Opua.
26 Ashore early for milk, water and groceries. I fished off wharf and got some little snapper. Palmers had their washing on deck. Left about 1.0 for Waitangi – went up to the falls where mother got some photos. Left Waitangi about 3.45 p.m. – anchored at Paihia, walked ashore, had a look at old printing house ruins & the township. Met the Halls & Mrs May, Went into old church and had a look around. Back to Russell & anchored inside Hananui for night.
27 Up Flagstaff Hill at 6.0 a.m. called at church coming back, alongside wharf after breakfast, Got provisions – kerosene, soft drinks, bread etc, Eastwood Palmer & I had a swim & a sunbath & got very sunburnt. Blow & a friend came aboard to see the boat and engine. In afternoon got water at Watering Bay – others had swim, Mrs P did some more washing, Strong gust of wind overhills – NW – anchored for night at Matauhi Bay. Dr Hope came and told us we were too close to the beach – shifted out a bit. Palmers gave us some music on the gramophone.
28 Got milk in morning, Left Matauhi at 10.00 a.m. Passed Russell at 10.15, went up to Kerikeri – slight NE roll. Picked our way up with the aid of the Chart & Blows directions. Tied up to olden wooden pier in front of old stone building. Had a look around & a swim in the basin and in the pool above the bridge – had a good wash. Anchored launches together in pool just below bridge. Left for falls – missed our direction and got to the small falls 40ft (Fairy Falls) instead of the large 90ft (Kerikeri falls). Mrs P had a bad fall and hurt her back so she had difficulty in walking back – disgusting & annoying trip!. Returned to boats – walked up and saw old church – had another good swim. Left KK about 6.0 p.m Got down to a little sheltered bay at entrance to Kerikeri River. Anchored for night.
29 Beautiful Day. Palmers left early to get back to Russell & Dr. They got Mrs P ashore on to a bed in S.A nursing home. We left later – Dolly P with us. Went down to Marsden Cross – The Doris followed us with a party from the Gables – landed and had a look around. Went up towards Te Puna into a little land locked Bay – lunch – up past Te Puna – passed Doris coming down. Chased Kahawai N of Moturoa on way back to Russell – no luck. Lot of kelp – got some on prop. Anchored in Watering Bay & got water. Went over to wharf then anchored off P.O.
30 Left Russell 6.0 a.m. during fog for Opua – just missed train, went back to Russell – had another walk round Russell. Blow came over in his launch & asked me to tea. Discussed falls. – we went to the wrong ones. Went to Opua at 3.30 for case of fruit. Phoned home. Eastwood & Dolly with us. Towed Dr J.M.Hope in his dinghy to Nobbie’s Island to his launch. Dad went aboard with him and over to his place in Matauhi Bay – went throu’ his workshop etc. We went on to Russell. Tea at Gables – soup – Roast beef & baked spuds – apple pie – coffee. F.M. & I walked round promenade – over to Matauhi – round rocks and back to Russell Beach. Had Ice creams on wharf from Taylor’s Confec. Supper – Lemonade – watermelon, cake, Shortbread etc. F.M. showed me a lot of curios – embryo whale etc and old books. Katie got fish for tea from tourist’s catch left on wharf steps. Mrs P. better. Mr P & Eastwood were on board during evening. Dad caught 6 good schnapper at 11.0 p.m. they were biting freely.
31 Cloudy. We shifted to just east of Mill Island to escape odours from rubbish fire on beach. Palmers got water. Back to Russell wharf in afternoon – got stores. Left about 4.30 p.m. for Oruapukapuka. Breeze NE – freshening considerably. Storm came on – Heavy Gale.
February 1923
1 Furious gale & rain all day. Tremendous swell outside – slight roll on the Bay. Very thick spray and foam blowing up the 100 foot cliffs. Lay at anchor all day – 2 anchors out. Could not see more than half a mile to windward from cliffs. Cleared up towards sunset – wind veering to west. On board nearly all day. Katie got mushrooms. Wind quietened down at night and rain ceased.
2 Wind SW and S, Fine, sunshine, strong breeze. Left Oruapukapuka Bay 9.55 a.m. – Twins 10.30, Cape 10.55, I was seasick off Bird Rock. Big northerly swell. Carried dinghy upside down across cockpit. Strange jobble at Cape – quite calm south of cape to Whangamumu (12 noon) where we tied up to the whaling station wharf and got ashore on the hauling up slipway – had a look through station – very interesting and hot. Several men there filling barrels with whale oil ready for shipment on coaster that afternoon. The old Maori workman there explained everything and gave us some whale-bone teeth from the humpbacks. Left Whangamumu 12.40 p.m. – quite an interesting trip down – I read a bit. Cape Home 2.30 p.m. Alberta left False Head, Whangamumu just as we were going in and went on to Whangaruru. Got kelp on the propeller again – Alberta also. Anchored by store for lunch. (By wharf, upper harbour) Alberta came over after. Got a lot of long pipi on (Motukauri) island sandspit. Went over to settlement. (Tuparehuia) Anchored launches and went ashore. Met old George Martin who took us to the water-melon patch where we bought 8 – 3/6. Walked over to Bland Bay, along beach and back to launches. Palmers went over and got some milk for baby. Went down to P.O. Bay where we anchored for the night – had a beautiful gramophone concert till 10.30. Boats lashed alongside one another – perfect night – full moon.
3 Fine day. Wind strong south. Swell almost down. Dad, Mother, Mr Palmer climber hill above Bay before breakfast – got mushrooms. Had a swim, got water in P.O. Bay – Breakfast. (Possibly Oakura?Left Henry Is 10.35 a.m., Mimiwhangata Hd 11.0, Deviated inside some little islets where I had some shots at shags. Eliza Reef 12.5 p.m., Tutukaka Hd 1.20p.m., Engine stopped – Tank empty! Ha –ha. Had a good lunch in Tutukaka and a rest. Carried dinghy in cockpit coming down. (Dad & I cut up a water melon off Eliza Reef) Had a walk over hill at Tutukaka. Caught a few fish (Trevally, Schnapper) Left at dark, 7.15 p.m. Wind had dropped but came up again strong SW. Good run into Heads. Saw several flying fish. One flew aboard Alberta and hit Mr Palmer on back. Carried dinghy in cockpit. Anchored for night in lee of MacGregor’s Island 10.30 p.m. Tutukaka to Frenchman: 3 hrs against wind and tide. Very low tide: Launches grounded and lay over at low tide (1.0 a.m.) in the usual anchorage. Used 10 tins of benzine whole trip. (40 Gallons – 4 gallon cans 2 cans in a wooden box.)
4 Left at 6.0 a.m. for home. Alberta left earlier. Home at 8.0 a.m. (Boat shed) Carried up bedding, spare fuel, provisions & spare gear. Washed decks down with fresh water, dried out bilges and tried to locate some leaks – not forward of amidships, apparently under engine. Lowered bed for Fly Wheel tray so that dynamo belt would not strike it. After lunch I slept for 2 hours in the loft.
KAHU
I took the above photos of Kahu moored in Maitiatia, Waiheke Island over the 2015/2016 Xmas cruise period. I put my hand up & say I know nothing about her. She does look a very sea worthy vessel, possibly having ex commercial origins. Can anyone enlighten us on her pedigree & past? I’m assuming she is a woody ?
p.s. hopefully one day a kayak manufacturer will take to market a plain royal blue or taupe coloured kayak. I have seen some horror examples e.g. a bright pink one lashed proudly atop a wonderfully restored classic launch………………………. 😦
COMING UP
I will have some great stories to share over the next few days – have a boat re-launch on Saturday & have just been sent a wonderful story & photos by Janet Watkins (nee Pickmere, the daughter of AH Pickmere) of the families 1923 summer cruise aboard their launch the 32′ KiaKoa, a 1906 Bailey & Lowe double ender. They were accompanied on the cruise by Alberta, the 1913 flushdecker built by H.N. Burgess.
24-02-2018 – Spotted Kahu anchored at Motiuhe Island today.
PILOT
Now while the vessel in todays story is a woody, the location is certainly not the Waitemata 🙂
The motorboat in the above photo is another from the Auckland Museum, Tudor Collins collection & was emailed to me by Ken Ricketts.
Are any of the woodys able to ID the location, date etc & possibly ID the vessel? Coconut palms in the background, islanders* helping with the loading – could be Suva, Nukualofa, Avatiu, Apia.
* not sure that islanders is a PC word, maybe I should have used ‘PI’ (Pacific Islander)
Yesterdays Survey
ww ran a survey yesterday around what classic wooden boat activities would appeal to you. Many thanks to everyone that completed the survey- BUT it’s not too late to do the survey, only takes a minute, so go on, just do it. Its anonymous 😉
Scroll down to find it.
Many thanks. Alan
1955
1955
1955
1956
1956
1956
1956
Ngarunui & Fierycross 1962
1959
1962
The Building of Ngarunui
I was recently contacted by Frank Young, son of Jim Young, who designed & built Ngarunui in 1954 > 1955 for a Mr. Burrell, a strawberry farmer in Birkdale.
Ian had read the Ngarunui story on ww & wanted to record the facts not guesswork surrounding the vessels early days. The below is based on personal experience and knowledge as Jim Young’s son.
“Ngarunui was originally designed for regular trans-tasman trips with a high economical cruising speed, heavy weather capability, long range, and reliability. Power was to be an 8 cylinder Gardner diesel and she was designed around that with regular crossings to Sydney intended. The smaller auxiliary was not part of the original design or construction as can be seen in the photographs at the time. It was apparently added later with the change in main engine plans.
Construction started in 1955 at the J H Young Boats Ltd Little Shoal Bay boat shed using kauri planking and ribs, and pohutukawa knees. When the hull had been completed and closed in she was launched without machinery or interior work done. On launching she immediately listed 45 degrees due to no ballast or internal engineering. That caused some trepidation among those attending the launching party. Interior work continued with the boat in a cradle next to the slipway but there were increasing problems with payments. The strawberry crop that year was apparently very poor and the money ran out. The partially finished vessel was then sold by Mr. Burrell to a company he had taken a stake in and the building contract revised. Northern Hygienic Fishing Supplies was to use her as a fishing “Mother ship” towing a number of 16 foot dories from which gill netting or long-lining could be done. Design details were changed and work commenced on installing large ice boxes in the hull and two 16 foot flat bottom punts were built as part of the fishing dory plan, with more to follow. One of those dories became the “Nancy Barbara” owned by the Hayman family at Great Barrier Island for many years. Then the money dried up again and Northern Hygienic Fishing Supplies was liquidated. With no money coming in, Jim Young in serious financial straits as a result, and an uncertain future outcome for Ngarunui in a part finished condition she was left in the cradle by the slipway at the Little Shoal Bay boat shed where the interior work had been continuing. Holes were drilled in her bottom to allow the tide to flow into the hull so it could not potentially be removed or stolen while legal and financial issues took their tedious course. She languished there untouched for about a year. She was the subject of an arson attempt during that period but perhaps due to the wet interior the fire did not take hold.
Eventually the Auckland Official Assignee (coincidentally Jim Young’s father) who was responsible for the liquidation of Northern Hygienic Fishing Supplies sold Ngarunui in as is/where is condition to Messrs Spicer and Pollard. Henderson and Pollard was a well known Auckland timber merchant company and Ngarunui was then completed using their resources. The originally intended Gardner diesel was never installed. At a price then of around 3600 pounds it was far more than the price of the rest of the boat (or even the price of a house) so the much cheaper, and lower power, option of a (single) 175hp GM diesel went in.
Ngarunui finally became a well appointed Auckland launch in 1957 or early 1958 after a somewhat difficult early life. Messrs Spicer and Pollard put Ngarunui to great use and they were active supporters of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. Ngarunui became well known for her role in various high profile activities of the RNZYS, and acted as flagship for many events with the Governor General or other notables aboard.”
2016 photos of Ngarunui can be viewed here https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/06/03/mystery-boat-03-06-2015/
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