LADY RAE
Designed by Chas Bailey Jnr. 1948. Looking for more details on her past, comment on the blog or email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Lady Rae
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Category Archives: 1940’s
Scamp
SCAMP
(another stunning yacht project that I just had to share)
Scamp was designed and built by Roy Parris for his own use in 1943 while he was working at Shipbuilders building Fairmiles for the war effort. She was sold not long after and taken over to the Manukau by Jim Jenkins and consequently lost her launching registration number of V28 as Manukau boats couldn’t then be registered in Auckland. On Scamp’s return to the Waitemata she was re registered as V45.
I don’t have much history but know she was owned by Glen Trainer at some stage before she eventually went north to Tinopai on the Kaipara Hbr and sailed there for several years by Rod Neels. Ironically when I was looking for a restoration project I discovered her back in Auckland and owned by John Tattersfield and brought her back here to Tinopai. I knew Rod at the time but was totally unaware of the connection until he casually mentioned one day that he has once owned an 18 footer……….snap!
Early on I decided there wasn’t enough original boat left to consider a restoration so the project began as a four year rebuild. Scamp was relaunched at Tinopai in Jan 2013, seventy years after she first touched water down on the Waitemata
Anyone interested in more detailed information on the rebuild or with any further history on Scamp is more than welcome to contact Greg Schultz itzgreg@xtra.co.nz
Story & photos ex Greg Schultz
Footnote: Greg is looking for an N-Class to restore, if anyone can point him in the direction of a ‘good’ one, contact him at the email address above.
Karamana II
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KARAMANA II
I have always known her as just Karamana, but I guess she has to be Karamana II, as I’ve now read this morning, the original one, which was built for the Cadman family in the 1920s. has been created before her. The name, I read also, is, to quote, a “pig Maori,” interpretation of the name “Cadman.” — lovely name anyway, sounds good.
KARAMANA II is a WW II 105 ft Fairmile converted to a pleasure craft circa 1945-46 by the Cadman family powered by 2 x 6-71 GM Detroit diesels, or the Graymarine version of them, & was undoubtedly, the very best pleasure craft Fairmile conversion, I ever saw. From the outside she was, in my view, aesthetically lovely. I took this pic circa1948 on her moorings in Hobson Bay. She was always immaculate & hardly used, Disappeared from there in the early 1950s, & I never saw her again — I think perhaps she may have gone to the Pacific Islands.
Any news anyone has would be great, just email me at kenpat@ihug.co.nz
story & pic ex Ken Ricketts
Harold Kidd Update
Andy Ryland was my uncle. This Fairmile was sold to his mate Cadman after Andy was killed in the NAC Lodestar crash at Paraparaumu. Bob McDougall’s book tells the story about Fairmiles more than adequately.
Wanda , Wanda II
Wanda II
Wanda II (Lady Norma)
Wanda II (Lady Norma)
WANDA & WANDA II
Photos & story below from Ken Ricketts, photos taken in the mid to late 1940’s
Wanda was built for Fred Porter, by Garth Lane on the Tamaki River in 1948 & later finished in the same year at the Mason & Porter (Masport) factory. She had 2 x 6cyl Scripps engines circa 90 hp.
WANDA II as christened* by Fred, as Fred’s first boat (above) was Wanda, *actually launched by his wife, Joan. Ken Ricketts father, Ralph Ricketts, worked for Mason & Porter for 35 Years as machine shop manager & Fred, who was the founder was Ruben Porter’s son. Ken’s late father had his staff make virtually all her engineering & underwater requirements.
Ps. The pic of WANDA was taken from 8mm movie footage & hence poor quality
WANDA II UPDATE – 14/05/13
The Gordon Cole Family, the 2 LADYS NORMA & COLMANA.
Last night (13.5.13), I was talking to Malcolm Cole, (Gordon’s son) & his sister Adrienne, whom I’ve known since the 1950s, & herewith a synopsis of the conversations is respect of the above. —
Had some great social moments with them on WANDA II (during her time as the second LADY NORMA), in the early sixties, which we had much joy last night, in recalling, on the phone. G.C. changed her name to LADY NORMA (no “II” or anything), & had her for a number of years & bought her in the 50s & sold her still with the Scripps petrol engines in the earlier 60s according to Malcolm, & had the COLMAMA, a Vindex, built.
Malcolm told me, his father sold the WANDA II, to a Syd Handysides, who did the right thing, & changed her name back to her “real name,” of WANDA II, which as far as I know, she still is today, (but perhaps somebody may have dropped of the “II” unfortunately, somewhere along the way).
I digress, Gordon Cole bought the first LADY NORMA, in very poor condition, as BLACK WATCH, off the estate of the late Reverend Jasper Calder, an Anglican Vicar, who was a fascinating & colourful person, whom I will endeavour to throw a little light on, in a separate writing at a later date, which hopefully will make a good read, especially if we get input from others who can add to it. I also intend to do a full story on the BLACK WATCH, (the first LADY NORMA), when I get the pics. — I first saw her under construction at Leigh, in the later 40s The Coles spent much time & money having Garth Lane, (Lane Motor Boat Co), refurbish & repair her for them, at his slipway & shed, in Riverview Rd Panmure, whilst the whole family pitched in as well, & did much work themselves, according to Adrienne, who recalls it all very vividly.
I have arranged to get pics of the first LADY NORMA, (BLACK WATCH), WANDA II, & COLMANA, & will do a full story on these boats, when I receive the photos, which will be when Adrienne returns from a trip overseas she is about to commence, & will it be towards the end of August when she returns.
She tells me she has inherited a massive number of boating pics from her father, which are stored away in her garage, & she is going to go through these, & share some of them with us all. — I can hardly wait.
We are all gong to have a lovely social reunion, when she returns & relive all these things together, — FAB!!!
Safari
SAFARI HISTORY
From recollections of Zelda Batterton (Nee, McGuire) eldest daughter of Trevor Innes McGuire.
8 December 2012
8 December 2012
Safari was built by refrigeration engineer and inventor Trevor McGuire during World War II.
Trevor was a business ownerwho had several businesses over the years. One of these was a business making refrigerators for Bond and Bond, Fisher and Paykel and McAlpine. He also had a building business in Fiji and a sawmill in Samoa. Trevor was also a founder of the Royal Suva Yacht Club. Prior to McGuire refrigeration he owned a saw mill located in the Waitakere ranges where the firm ran a Kauri logging business.
During the war the refrigeration business manufactured sectioned coolrooms and commercial refrigerators, which were invented by Trevor. Some of these were used by the Americans to store their deceased soldiers in before they were shipped back to America. The business was originally in Manukau Rd in Epsom, with about 6 employees, and the boat was built in a field out the back of the factory. A new factory was later built at 25 Fairfax Avenue Penrose. The refrigeration business was eventually sold to Fisher and Paykel around 1947, and the Paykel families were known to be onboard Safari during for weekend excursions.
Boat designer Dick Lang was a friend of Trevor’s, the two met in Fiji and the plans used for the boat were Dick Lang’s. A sister boat, “Zephyr” was built later using the same plans. Zephyr was built by the Ellerslie Mayor at the time Horace Whyte, also a friend of Trevor’s . Zelda recalls going into the forest to collect Pohutukawa for the knees. Apparently they had to be carefully selected to be the right shape but in those days it was okay to chop up native trees. The NZ sourced kauri timber Safari was built from came from Newmarket, most likely from Odins Timber Company.
Safari was launched around 1940 in Mechanics Bay after being shipped by truck from Manukau Rd.
Trevor’s wife Madge did not like the water but she always came out on Safari to do the cooking. As “petrol” was still scarce, anyone coming out on Safari would donate war time petrol coupons. Trevor always wore a hat and had a cigarette dangling from his lips. He also had a ‘twinkle in his eye.” Zelda says they were very lucky children to have such fantastic parents and a brilliant childhood. Many hours were spent on the boat although due to the shortage of petrol this was mostly around Waiheke and Rangitoto Island.
[Just between us Zelda say’s with a smile] Safari had 26 people on board to go out and meet the NZ warship Achilles. Trevor took Safari across the bow of Achilles and a loudhailer boomed out “Will that launch please get out of the way”, whereupon Trevor apparently said “We’re smaller than them, they have to give way.” Madge was not impressed.
During the war Safari’s boat ID number was 1263. All boats had to have a large number for identification. A boom was placed from Devonport to Bastion Point to deter enemy vessels, with a small gap in the middle that was closed at night. Trevor came back too late one day to meet the curfew and had to stay outside the boom, where spotlights would be beamed across the boat during the night.
In the early years Safari was extended in length by Trevor McGuire, Zelda seems to think from 33 or 34’ to 38’
Zephyr
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ZEPHYR
Zephyr was designed by Dick Lang & almost certainly built by him circa early 1940s.
Photo as she was, in 1948/49, taken by me at Schoolhouse Bay Kawau — wonder where she is now? .Possibly had a converted truck engine at that time. Have no other history or info — Ken Ricketts just liked the look of her when he took the photo. If anyone can help with more info please post.
18-02-2020 Update ex Andrea Collings
Andrea has located a couple of photos, see below. Reproduction is not the best but we roll with that.. The one on the skid, is from when Andrea’s grandfather first brought her. Andrea commented it has her grandmother, uncle (and she thinks her aunt). Andrea believes she was having her motor removed. Her grandfather (Mac Kelly) thought she was to thirsty and put a smaller engine in.
The 2nd photo is of her has Mac standing and one of his sons sunbathing on her roof.
Andrea is not sure of dates for these photos but believes it would have to be in the 1950’s.
Zephyr remained in their family until about 1985 when she was sold to a man from Auckland who Andrea was told was the gent who took her bridge off. After that Andrea didnt know what happened to Zephyr until she received an email WW and then read Logan’s post.
Andrea has promised to continue to track down any more information and photos, so it can be added to her story.
Nor West
NOR WEST
One of 2 identical boats built by Garth Lane at Panmure circa 1948-50 both had 2 x Ford V8s originally. Both were used extensively for game fishing for many years. No info on ownership, but always admired there futuristic, low, sleek, appearance. Both had the engines in the stern, with V drives a la LADY SANDRA.
Marina photo (ex trademe) was taken in the Sounds where she has been living.
Sou East
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SOU EAST
Identical sister ship to NOR WEST & used extensively at Mayor Island, for many years for game fishing both boats now have diesels — Nor West has 2 x Fords.
Ken Ricketts took this photo of Sou East in Mansion House Bay Kawau Island Christmas 1949
Ranui
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RANUI,
Photo taken c.1950 by Ken Ricketts, before she had the 6 or 8 ft added to the back end, & when she still had her 2 original Ford V8 petrol engines, & was owned by Hec Goodfellow. She was built by R Lidgard circa 1947 was approx 38 ft long, at that time. She is a Chris Craft design, that Goodfellow had seen in the Pacific Islands, when he was a naval officer stationed there in WWII.
He was so impressed with the design, after the war he acquired a set of geinuine plans, & commisioned Lidgards to build RANUI for him. The family owned the boat for a great many years, & she was moored in Whakatakataka Bay, had an adjoining boatshed on the banks of the Bay in Ngapipi Rd, where she spent much of her time in earlier days, & was only seen on her moorings occasionally. In her later life, she lived much of the time at Christian Bay Takatu Peninsula during his ownedship, as he had a property there.
She was lengthened as above, in the later 50s or early 60s & the Ford V8s were initally replaced with 2 x 4 cyl Ford Diesels, when she was lengthened & these have later still been replaced with 2 x 6 cyl Ford Diesels. The last heard of about a year ago, she was living in the Sounds at the top of the South Island looking lovely.
Rakanoa
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RAKANOA
Story & b/w photos from Ken Ricketts (colour photo ex Russell Ward)
She was built by Shipbuilders Ltd in 1946. A magnificent 56 ft example of artisans work, in both design & build.
She is 3 skins Kauri, is enourmously strong, will last forever, & had the very best of everything that money could buy used, when she was created. She is still kept in beautiful condition at Gulf Habour.
There is no doubt in my view, she is an important part of a real dynasty, & one of the very few boats that have been in the same family from new, for that huge length of time. She was “modernised, in the 60s, & there were moderate combings alterations done in the cockpit area. She is shown on launching day & pic I took at North Harbour Ponui Labour weekend in 1948
She was orignally powered by a 671 Gray marine diesel, for one year, then replaced it with a 250 hp Herecules Diesel in 1947, she had this until 1981, when her present Gardiner 6L3 diesel was fitted.
Indeed a vey important part of NZs maritime heritage
NOTE: This posting has been edited on the request of the owner (the late) R Parker, the information supplied by K Ricketts was obtained without the owners knowledge or approval that it would be published in the public domain.
09-04-2016 – photo taken at Gulf Harbour (April 2016) by Ken R.
Dec 2016 Hauled out at Gulf Harbour – photos ex Ken Ricketts
21-09-2019 Update
Photo below sent to me by John Parker, the ‘great nephew of Ross Parker. It was ex the estate of his late father Wallace Parker.
