Category Archives: 1930’s

SAILING BACK IN TIME — 1930s CLASSIC YACHTS

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Off Waiwera
Tryphena, Great Barrier Island

SAILING BACK IN TIME — 1930s CLASSIC YACHTS

Todays classic wooden boating photo gallery comes to us from the Leith family in Dunedin via Peter Mence.

The accompanying note commented that the photos came from a family album and are dated approx. 90 years ago. Looking at the tags one has ’Season 1936>7’ on it, halcyon days before WWII kicked off. Given the age of the ‘boys’ in the photos, no doubt most of them would have seen service.

The two yachts seen are OTRIA L25 and NOMAD H5.

Do we know where OTIRA L25 is these days.

The last news we had on NOMAD L5 was she was on fire at Mapua, Nelson in June 2024. Link below. Any update on what became of her post the fire. https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/06/19/nomad-on-fire-at-mapua-nelson/

CLASSIC WOODYS GETTING READY FOR A SPRING SPLASH

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CLASSIC WOODYS GETTING READY FOR A SPRING SPLASH

Dropped into the working end of the Milford Creek / Marina yesterday and caught up on the woodys getting some late winter TLC

MY GIRL – the 1925 Dick Lang built (to a W H Hand design) was out at the Slipway Milford for an application of a new go fast bottom paint. All hush hush trial but I can tell you it wasn’t around in the 1920’s. Note to handicappers – alter MY GIRLS handicap 😉

See more of MG here – https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/11/12/my-girl-and-pacific-relaunched-60-wooden-boat-photos/

MENAI – keeping MY Girl company was the 38’ 1937 Sam Ford built MENAI – continuing her rolling restoration. See more of her here –  https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/09/11/menai-a-peek-down-below-2/

THETIS – cross the fence in the Milford Cruising Club yard was THETIS the 45’ 1955 launch built by the Lane Motor Boat Co. Out for a refresh. More here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/09/02/thetis-a-peek-down-below/

CLASSIC AUSTRALIAN WOODEN MOTOR BOAT – SILVER CLOUD

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CLASSIC AUSTRALIAN WOODEN MOTOR BOAT – SILVER CLOUD

Today we hop across the Tasman to see and read about one of Australians most beautiful classic wooden craft – SILVER CLOUD, there is a good Kiwi connection in her build materials. The photos and detail come to us via Australian Classic Boats fb.

SILVER CLOUD was built by Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd and launched in 1939, she began life as elegant 65′ luxury motor cruiser for prominent yachtsman Jack Bruce, a vice commodore of the Royal Motor Yacht Club and cousin of former Prime Minister Stanley Bruce.

She was the third Halvorsen vessel of Mr Bruce’s to be called “SILVER CLOUD”. (Later, the Halvorsen launched “Kanahoee” was also renamed “SILVER CLOUD II”).

Constructed from spotted gum frames, New Zealand kauri planking, and a beautifully finished Queensland maple superstructure, SILVER CLOUD represented the high end of pre-war Australian yacht building.

Her accommodation included multiple cabins, dining and deck saloons, a galley, shower and electric refrigeration, with power coming from twin Buda 100hp petrol engines with reduction gears, made in Illinois USA.

Requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy in 1941 for WW2, she was commissioned as HMAS SILVER CLOUD, becoming part of Sydney’s famous “Hollywood Fleet” of converted pleasure craft and motor yachts used for patrol and harbour defence duties.

Armed with Vickers machine guns and depth charges, she patrolled Sydney Harbour during some of Australia’s most uncertain wartime years and was present during the period surrounding the 1942 Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour.

In July 1943 a catastrophic engine-room fire engulfed the vessel. Official reports described much of the hull as burnt beyond repair and the Navy subsequently decommissioned her.

Lars Halvorsen Sons ultimately purchased the damaged hull for 700 pounds and undertook an extensive rebuild, returning SILVER CLOUD to her former glory.

Since then, subsequent owners have done amazing restorative work and enhancements. She has passed through the hands of the Hannan family, Bob Ibbottsen, Gary Rothwell and Dr Derek Freeman — who altered the bow and added the flying bridge to replace the bridge deck style.

Current owner, Robert Hunter undertook an extensive restoration that returned SILVER CLOUD to magnificent condition, ensuring this extraordinary survivor remains one of the most important and beautifully preserved examples of Australia’s classic boating heritage.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Builder: Lars Halvorsen Sons • Year: 1939

• Length: 65 ft (19.8m) • Beam: 14 ft 9 in (4.5m)

• Construction: Spotted Gum, New Zealand Kauri and Queensland Maple

• Current Engines: 2 x Cummins 6B diesels, 120 hp

• Naval Service: HMAS Silver Cloud (1941–1943)

• Class: Channel Patrol Boat (“Hollywood Fleet”)

To Read More On The Craft Built By Halvorsen’s click this link https://youtu.be/HyNO9qUgXew?si=D3Dq1PXIwwYvhCcf

My all time favourite is the 60’ TOORONGA, owned these days by yachtsman – Iain Murray – photo below

Also a WW story on the yard here https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/11/04/the-halvorsen-story/

LOOKING BACK AT CLASSIC LAUNCH –  EILEEN PATRICIA 

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LOOKING BACK AT CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH –  EILEEN PATRICIA 

Today thanks for Robyn Kellian and Tobias Forsyth we get to have a peek back in time at the classic wooden launch – EILEEN PATRICIA.                          

Designed and built in 1933 by Arnold Couldrey. She was named EILEEN PATRICIA when launched but as you can see in the b/w photos at some stage she was named LYNDON. Just visible on her bow is a fishing boat rego # AK113 (might be wrong), so possibly a workboat at some stage. It may have been a typo but when current owner Peter and Jenni Mence bought her the spelling was LINDEN.

Approx 6 years ago she underwent an extensive rebuild / restoration at the hands of Marco Scuderi’s yard. Since then the lads at The Slipway Milford have been looking after her needs and she resents in stunning condition.

LinkS below to all the EP storied on WW and the second link is from her re-launching day.

https://waitematawoodys.com/?s=Eileen+Patricia&submit=Search

https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/05/20/the-launching-of-eileen-patrica-1933-classic-motor-boat-50-photos/ 

RESTORATION OF THE 26’ TERCEL BROS BUILT CLASSIC YACHT – ROXANE

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RESTORATION OF THE 26’ TERCEL BROS BUILT CLASSIC YACHT – ROXANE

Recently WW was contacted by Ross Dawson with an update on the restoration of his brother, Keith Dawsons Tercel built 26’ yacht – ROZANE.

Before we start todays story , back in May 2018 we ran a brilliant story on Keith celebrating his 105th birthday and we were also given an insight into the 1937 voyage Keith and his mate Dick Wellington undertook sailing ROXANE from Auckland to Sydney, Australia. Link to the story below. (Keith passed away in Dec 2018)

May 2018 https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/05/13/roxane-a-105th-birthday-party/

Then in September 2024 Ross updated us on the start of the restoration of ROXANE at the hands of Ralph Finch. Link to that story below. Sept 2024 https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/09/15/restoration-of-a-new-zealand-classic-wooden-yacht-in-australia-roxane/

Now fast forward to July 2026 and Ross has shared the above photo and the note below he received from Ralph in Cairns, Australia :-

“We’ve now installed a total of 11 sister ribs on the starboard side from beside the engine and moving back towards the stern. I want to get another 2 ribs in if I can, tucked under the rear deck. It’ll be a tight squeeze.

We’ve also started steaming, bending and clamping longer sections of spotted gum to be used, 3 each side, as backing blocks for the chain plates. The original internal backing blocks for the chain plates only extended 3 planks down the sides. The new pieces we’re making will extend down a total of 7 planks thereby spreading the stress and upward pull from the mast and rig over more of the hull. We’ll use copper nails and roves to fix them in place.

I had removed a 3 meter length of the sheer strake (very top plank at deck level) on the starboard side with the intention of replacing that section with Oregon Pine. Removal of the sheer strake revealed the beam shelf, a heavy internal timber running fore-and-aft along the top of the hull which supports the deck beams. Unfortunately, the now exposed beam shelf shows a great deal of dry rot. It has been very time consuming digging out the dry rot back to a solid timber base.

As you can see in the photos, the beam shelf has a great many holes in it. We’re treating the dry rot sections with preserver and then packing west system epoxy mixed with spotted gum wood shavings as filler. If this much dry rot is in just a 3 meter length then I feel I have no choice but to remove the sheer strakes both sides and the full length of the boat. The starboard side may be the worst as this was the side of the boat that had layers and layers of wet leaves sitting for 20 odd years.

Even with the beam shelf repaired, I’m intending to strengthen it further by cutting, shaping and fixing a doubled up layer of ¾ inch thick marine ply (1.5 inch thick total) under the present beam shelf for the whole length of the boat and both port and starboard sides. Yep there’ll be a few scarf joints in all of that!! It’s impossible to remove the existing beam shelf, so all we can do is strengthen and reinforce it.

We’ve also exposed a small section of dry rot in the starboard bilge stringer.

We haven’t really started work on the port side of the boat. This restoration project seems destined to drag out for a little longer.“

MYSTERY  CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT SHED & CRAFT

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MYSTERY  CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT SHED &  CRAFT

Todays woody photo recently popped up on TIMESPANNER – with the following caption – “Interior view of a boatbuilder’s workshop from ground to ceiling, possibly the Bailey & Lowe yard at Sulphur Beach, Northcote, including six men working on two different yachts, with wooden scaffolds, sawhorses and ladders.” c.1920’s >1930’s. Not sure if the photographer is a James D Richardson or whether he posited the photo on the site.

The photo originally came from the Auckland Libraries heritage collection.

Any of the woody community able to shed more light on the photo. I could be wrong (normally are) but the craft in the background has in my eyes more of a launch look to her.

The ID the gents on the game launch – PIRATE, quiz last week was Bay of Islands woody Dean Wright (MV ARETHUSA).Deans entry was – “Maybe one of the early Bay of Islands International Billfish Tournaments – Jim Whitelaw on the helm, George Woller playing the fish. Those style of shirt you used to see teams in the Hawaian International Billfish Tournament out of Kona wearing them. George Woller had the charter boat Leilani that Jim Whitelaw used to skipper, so if it is him, this must have been pre that time.

Dean your WW cap is in the post 😉

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – PIRATE + Win A WW Cap

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH- PIRATE + Win A WW Cap

Recently WW was sent the above photo of the 46’ Leon Warne built (1939) classic wooden launch PIRATE by Derek Gerritsen.PIRATE has made many appearances on WW – links below.

 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/06/14/pirate-a-peek-down-below-4sale/  https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/05/30/beautiful-boats-attract-beautiful-people/ https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/06/24/the-waitematawoodys-x-factor/

WWhasn’t seen this particular photo. The crew shirts suggest the photo was taken during a game fishing tournament and possibly indicate the dateisn’t as old as the boat appears in the photo.

Woodys that can correctly name the crew go into the draw towin a WW cap.Note the more correct names = more chances in the draw.ENTERY IS VIA EMAIL ONLY TO– Entrycloses at 9am 10-06-2026

MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – 1933

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MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH  – 1933

Last month I was a mission to locate some bronze/brass cowl vents for the classic ex workboat PRIMADOONA, owner James Hutchinson is the son-in-law of one of my oldest boating friends (Dennis Ross) – we go back 40+ years. So James gets auto access to the WW Aladdin’s cave of cool boat bits. I knew I had some of varying sizes but just where in the lock up was the challenge. Fast forward and on the 2nd deep dive jackpot (photo below)

During our chats James mentioned he had been scanning some of his late mother-in-laws old photos and came across some very cool ones of the MIL’s brother’s boat. James believes his name may have been Remy Burridge, but the name of the craft isn’t recorded.
Most of todays photos are dated 1933. James commented that the family would just pull the boat up in front of their house in Garnett Road to clean it.

Interesting ‘tram top’ that may then been original or added soon after launching as a flush decker.

I have teased Nathan Herbert on this story several times in the last 2 weeks – but I suspect he will ID the launch before I’ve consumed my first caffeine shot of the day 🙂

CLASSIC LAUNCH – MARISTELLA OUT FOR SOME TLC AND A SHAVE

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CLASSIC LAUNCH – MARISTELLA OUT FOR SOME TLC AND A SHAVE

The 1936, 40’ , Sam Ford built classic wooden launch MARISTELLA hauled out at Milford this week for some TLC and shave. Some great historical photos and a peak down below in the WW links below –
https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/07/30/a-snapshot-of-the-classic-wooden-launch-maristella/
https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/09/03/classic-wooden-launch-maristella-a-peek-down-below/

Westhaven was once one of the better marinas in terms of growth but looking at MARISTELLA seems Westhaven is as bad as all the others these days.

In addition there will be some differed maintenance to her rubber stock area, but thats par for the course on these old woodys.

Have to love a railway haul out and the gentle ‘roller’ method of position a vessel in the yard.

UPDATE 06-09-2026 – Back in the water after some engine maintance, engine looking very smart.

MYSTERY 1933 MULLET BOAT

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MYSTERY 1933 MULLET BOAT

Todays outstanding classic wooden yacht photo comes to us from Heritage Images – TW Collions collection via a Lew Redwood fb post.

The photo is tagged ‘1933 Mullett boat under power Bay of Islands’, and that woodys is all we know.

To me it has a Whangaroa Harbour look to it but I’m sure I’ll be corrected 🙂

Tudor Collins was a very talented photographer and most of his work is clearly identifiable without any reference to his name. The Bay of Islands was one of his favourite locations and his collection of work is vast and just not limited to marine. In fact better known for his native bush / forest work.

Can we learn the yachts names and designer / builder.

(photo ex Toby Hyman)