LADY ARGYLE — CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – LATEST ADVENTURES
Tom Wieringa the owner of LADY ARGYLE the 52′ 1965 classic wooden launch built by John Lidgard, made contact with WW earlier in the week with an update on her travels and some recent photos.
LADY ARGYLE has appeared before on WW – links to those stories below. Lots of details on her past there, make sure you read the comments sections. When launched she was named Santa Rosa, then Argyle, then went all fancy and became a lady.
“We have had the pleasure of owning Lady Argyle for six years. Five of those years we have lived aboard, from Tauranga to the Hauraki Gulf/Coromandel to Whangarei to the BOI’s, Whangaroa and back again.
She has looked after us through almost every weather and sea condition you can think of, delivering us on our adventures every time.
She is beautifully crafted in 3 skin kauri; two diagonal layers and a top longitudinal layer totalling 55mm thick; riveted together over massive stringers you have to see to believe; approx. 140mm x 70mm.The interior timbers are kauri beams and stairs and teak everywhere.
I have just moved her to Pine Harbour Marina for a few months, hoping to get out and about a little more often.
The trip from Whangamata, after waiting for the south westerlies to settle down, was a lovely 15hr adventure, averaging an easy 7.3 kn at 1300rpm using 8L/hr total both engines.
I parked up the first night at Port Charles, having never stopped there before, it was very pleasant.“
Tom commented that he was looking to rent a marina or mooring suitable for Lady Argyle (16m+) (LOCATION: Pine Harbour, Gulf Harbour, Whangarei, Coromandel)
DEFIANT — A RATHER MAGNIFICENT CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH
On one of my recent trip north I spotted a rather impressive woody hauled out at in Whangarei named DEFIANT. Hard not to miss her given her size.I had a brief phone chat with her owner Chris Wilkens, and was given the green light to go aboard. Chris went to great lengths to tell me she was a tip inside as he was part way thru an upgrade project.
Excuse the quality of some of the photos, as I edited them to remove WIP clutter.
First impressions of DEFIANT is her overall size , she is huge. As a guide in the photos you can see some ‘LazyBoy’ armchairs – there are 4 in the saloon and they are the full domestic size.
Keen to learn more about her – but for now – designed by Nick Peel, I think 54’ in length, powered by a Gardner engine (possibly 150hp).Home port is Whangaroa, Northland.
INPUT ex PAUL WILSON – built by Dave Bryant, an experienced off shore sailor, as a long range cruiser.
MYSTERY WOODEN MOTOR YACHT – WHANGAREI TOWN BASIN – Riddle of the Sands
Todays wooden was spotted yesterday in the Whangarei Town Basin. I’m not sure how you would describe / classify her – ‘pilot house motor sailer’ / pilot house yacht … open to input. Not a design we see much of in NZ.
Given that WTB is a magnet for international cruisers maybe she is from foreign shores. What ever her roots she is quite a big girl.
Can any of the northern woodys help us out regarding the vessel.
Speaking big girls – the rear on 65′ ARCTURUS, the 1930 John G. Alden (USA) designed schooner is a work of art.
18-09-2026 INPUT ex MARK MCLAUGHLIN – Originally called Solaris, now known as Riddle of the Sands. She is a ferro Hartley Tahitian hull built at Span Farm, with deck and wooden superstructure built by Jim Young.
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.
Todays photos are from my wife’s side of the family, who had a higher % of salt in their veins than my side. Her grandfather John (Jack) Bonner was a co-owner of the yacht ALEXA C7 colourised photo below), built by T. Le Huquet in 1904. Later in life he was a very accomplished painter, several of his works grace my walls. When you factor in that he had (medical records speak) an ‘arm removed via field amputation i.e. no general anaesthesia in France WW!, the paintings were well done.
There were 3 random photos in the album , as seen above but no names, dates, or captions.
The top photo, carries the sale # A8 is VICTORY the 1907 Logan built A-Class yacht. Last I heard she was tucked away in boatbuilder Marco Scuderi’s shed in Helensville.
Second photo has the sail # A3, making her ARIKI – Ariki the 1904 yacht designed by Arch Logan and built by the Logan Brothers.
In the last photo the yacht centre stage has sail # A13, now I could be very know but my search has come up with this intel – HEARTSEASE (A13) was a historic 51-foot classic wooden cutter designed in Auckland by J.G. Trevithick, which raced locally before embarking on an international world cruise in 1932.
Just realised there has been a little too much B/W photos this week so promise some colour on Monday 😉
COMMENT ex ANGUS ROGERS – Angus has pointed out the spelling of the yachy above – blowning the photo up it appears to read ALXER. Every piece of intel I have seen on the boathas her named ALEXA, so I’m confused – anyone able to help out.
INPUT ex OWEN ASPDEN – I saw Heartsease posted on WW today below is a photo of her with sail number 141. According to my grandmothers diary Tom Aspden bought the Ida in 1921 and the Heartsease in 1919. FYI she now for sale in Sydney for $450k.
INPUT ex ROBIN ELLIOTT – HEARTSEASE carried number 141 in the 1913 Anniversary Regatta
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH VALMARIE – HOW DID IT COME TO THIS
I was mooching around the Whangarei waterfront during the week and spotted the launch VALMARIE hauled out at Dock5. I did not recognise her until up close and spotted her name board. Even then I had to do a count / location of port holes and cabin widows to confirm she was the same vessel that last featured on WW back in April 2014 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/04/10/valmarie/
Back in 2014 VALMARIE was for sale on tme and looking very smart. Another example of how quickly these woodys can go downhill if they do not get any TLC The last photo above was from 2013.
And on the subject of classics going down hill – I am very happy to report that the classic wooden launch – TRINIDAD has a new owner and been moved closer to Auckland. Her days of neglect in the far north are over. I hear her new owner is already planning to restore the bright work ✔️
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
Todays classic wooden launch is the 52’ 1965 bridge-decker LADY ARGYLE , built by John Lidgard for Mac Stewart. When launched she was named SANTA ROSA, and later ARGYLE.
She was built based on drawings done for the original owner by “Hoki” Williams, a retired staff member of Shipbuilders Ltd., with modifications by John Lidgard.
CLASSIC LIDGARD KETCH – TE TAINUI – Flash Back Friday
Chatting with the team at CMC Design earlier in the week the subject of hero projects came up, and quickly turned to the 2017/18 restoration of the TE TAINUI.
The team a CMC Design completed all the white oak cabinetry including full galley refit, trims and latches, saloon table, console instrument panels and other interior elements.
Sian from CMC pointed me to the ketches fb page. Below I have uplifted some of the history behind TE TAINUI.
It is believed in ‘recent‘ times TE TAINUI went over to over to Australia, can anyone update us on whereabouts.
A Brief History –
The wooden 51 foot Lidgard designed ketch for Frank Harding (Chief Engineer Auckland Gas Co) was to be called Te Tainui, for the express purpose of a round the world cruise that Frank and his wife and another couple planned to undertake. NB there is some question on which Lidguard designed the boat, after CMC Design requested information direct from John and also Garry (Jim’s son, John’s cousin) Lidgard, both have confirmed unlikely that either (John, Jim or Roy) were involved. The mystery continues!
Commissioned in 1970, with building commencing in 1971 by boat builder George McLean in his backyard in Auckland over the span of a decade.
In the time it took to complete the vessel the Auckland suburbs had seen a boom and houses had been built so densely around him, the boat needed to be craned out to free it from its urban shackles, which was sure to have been an impressive sight.
The Te Tainui used some of the last four lots of heart kauri felled in the Coromandel. With two lots being used to build boats at Salthouse, the remaining two were used for Lidguard boats. The lengths of the timber were sought after to make grand boats such as these, where the length of the planks were a key part of the build.
Frank Harding specified a ‘range of dual systems’ throughout due to the nature of purpose.
Te Tainui duly set sail on the planned cruise but only days into it returned (suggested incompatibility amongst the crew) to anchor off Herald Island and remained there ‘untouched’ until Don Brooke and Max Hall bought it some time in 1976-77. Their first task was to dump trailer loads of tinned provisions (for the world cruise) left since Te Tainui returned to the mooring many months earlier.
1978 Don Brooke sold his half share of Te Tainui to Michael Meredith (Max and Michael were good friends and neighbours). An ongoing programme of upgrading and modernising commenced, including;
* installing wet exhaust-original dry exhaust up the mizzen mast
* fitted steel framed fwd windows main cabin
* fitted morse controls to enable gearbox and throttle operation from dual stations
* modified the sheer line to make it true
* redesigned/rebuilt the aft cabin (by Salthouse)
* re wired the electrics
* fitted autopilot and fish finder
* fitted self furling headsail equipment
* rebuilt layout/lockers aft deck and steering control pedestal
* built teak seating aft and installed new davits
* a redesign of main cabin and table to accommodate 10
Te Tainui was the official Squadron committee/mark boat for the International Citizen on class series-Stewart 34’s. It was held annually and attracted many notable international and leading NZ skippers. In one regatta Russell Coutts’s boat collided front on with the stem of Te Tainui (anchored) and sprung a number of planks! A major refastening job at Salthouse’s. Apart from regular cruising and diving trips throughout the Hauraki Gulf, Bay of Islands, Great Barrier and the Merc’s, Michael used it extensively for client (both local and international) day trips. Due to an impending move to Sydney Max Hall assumed full ownership of Te Tainui in 1994.
In late in 1999 to two American couples Todd and Louise Nelson and Mark and Sandra Eads purchased it from Max as a joint venture in Nelson, New Zealand for a substantial sum of $215,000NZD. After four or five years of sailing they reached as far as Singapore. One couple went back to the USA and the boat was again sold.
William Anderson picked up his new boat Te Tainui in Singapore and sailed it back virtually single-handedly to New Zealand via Australia with his wife. The trip was made more comfortable by the recent inclusion of air conditioning throughout the boat, a welcome addition to satisfy the American owners no doubt and appreciated in light of the large 360 degree windows in the main saloon.
William (Bill) a Naval Architect, lived on the boat for a time at Mission Bay, Auckland
In 2007 he sold the boat on to Rosie and Doug Horman, hailing from Cornwall and Melbourne respectively, who had sailed over from England for a new life in New Zealand. They needed a bigger boat and the Te Tainui was the grand dame they were looking for. Brought up to The Bay Of Islands, the boat was kept on a swing mooring now where the new marina docks stand at Opua. Their love for the boat was apparent with it being used every weekend for local trips to Whangamumu, down to Great Barrier Island and beyond. The quiet engine and panoramic views from the saloon were some of the great features of the boat. They entertained guests regularly and often slept up top enjoying the breeze and the views.
The plan was to take the boat back to England to repeat a circumnavigation of the country. Alas, it wasn’t to be, Dough was tragically taken ill and the boat passed into new hand once more.
Luke and Lisa Aaron of Melbourne Australia, purchased the boat in 2017. Again the boat had cast a spell on its owners and a loving restoration projects began in Opua, Bay of Islands in mid 2017. They had great vision to create a clean modern look while keeping true to the beautiful features of the boat. Local craftspeople and boat builders spent 18 months bringing every aspect of the boat up to the highest standard, with modern additions including state of the art electric blinds. A fresh feel throughout was accented by beautiful bespoke white oak joinery and soft neutral furnishings. The couple intended to keep the boat in the Bay Of Islands to enjoy with their family with trips over from Melbourne while on breaks from their construction business.
Historical info complied from files from the Te Tainui, and info supplied by previous owners Michael Meredith and Rosie Horman.
Released in 2012 as a compact disc (CD), by Miles Hughes and covering the period 1795 > 1945, this booklet is of epic proportions – topping out at 837 pages. For easy of reading in todays digital world the ‘book’ is below in PDF format.
The publication contains more than 1,200 NZ shipbuilders, shipwrights and boatbuilders and includes their biographies and the names, specs and first owners of over 5,600 craft.
HEADS UP: WW can not vouch for the accuracy of the content and when reviewing the list of contributors , several stood out as ‘being fond of interviewing their typewriter’ i.e. they make up what they either do not know or are unsure of. So woodys best treat it as a guide 😉
WW would be interested in feed back on this guide – maybe chose a designer/builder well known to you and review the content.
As an example below is the listing on my boat RAINDANCE, some of the content is correct and some unknown or speculation that I have been told over the last 18 years of ownership, but it is very close her provenance.
So the question of the day – is this an amazing reference tool or to use that old school english saying ‘A Load Of Pants’ ?
UPDATE – Still available in print version at Boat Books in Westhaven, Auckland.
