WHAT HAPPENED TO WAIRETE

Todays woody photo comes to us from ’Timespanner’ via a Chris Priestly fb post. The photo above we see the launch Wairete on the beach / foreshore at Devonport, Auckland. The photo was captioned – ’The launch was destroyed by fire, which started in the engine room. The owner was overcome by fumes and fall overboard, narrowly escaping drowning’ The story appeared in the NZ Herald on 15th March 1926.

And that woodys is all we know – can we learn more about Wairete and weather she was a write off or was salvaged and lived a 2nd life.

03-02-2024 INPUT EX GREG PHILPOTT –

The following is a report from the Auckland Star of 14 March, 1926 (from Papers Past)

“LAUNCH DESTROYED • OWNER NEARLY DROWNED • FIRE ON THE WAIRETE • CREW RESCUED BY ESME.
Fire destroyed the launch Wairete, worth £800, off Devonport wharf, at 3.45 o’clock on Saturday afternoon, and the owner, Mr. Robert Maynall, who was overcome by the fumes in an endeavour to quench the flames, fell overboard unconscious and was rescued by his two companions. Drifting opposite the wharf, one of the crew noticed that fire had broken out in the engine room. Mr. Maynall went below immediately with a small chemical extinguisher, but the flow from this proved useless. He set to work with blankets and tried to put out the fire. Soon strong benzine fumes overcame him, and he just managed to reach the deck. There he collapsed, and fell overboard. Not realising for a minute that their skipper was unconscious, Messrs. A. and F. Williams, who were on the launch, saw Mr. Maynall sink twice. As he came up the third time, they both dived to the rescue. Holding Mr. Maynall under the armpits, they contrived to keep his head above water while they clung to the launch, which was soon blazing from end to end. Relief came when the launch Esme drew near, racing from a distance at top speed. After taking the hapless trio aboard, the crew of the Esme made a great effort to save the Wairete. Flames were leaping high, and it was found to be a hopeless task. A large crowd had assembled on the wharf, and the rescue of Mr. Maynall, the timely arrival of the Esme, and the efforts to save the Wairete provided some exciting moments. The Devonport Fire Brigade, summoned by one of the crowd, could do nothing till the vessel had drifted to the rocks on the eastern side of the wharf. When the launch came within distance of a hose, water was played on her blazing length. When she struck the rocks she was badly charred, being almost totally destroyed. Dr. Rout attended to Mr. Maynall, who was found to be suffering from shock, more than anything else, and the doctor later motored all three to their homes.
Owner a Heavy Loser. Described as the most elaborate and up-to-date vessel of its kind in the harbour, the Wairete, which cost the owner in all £830, was insured for £500. She was a 28 h,p., 6-cylinder self-starter boat, fitted with electric light and all modern equipment. The launch was practically new. The origin of the fire is unknown. It was suggested by the crew that the engine back-fired, and burst a pipe leading to the petrol tank, located near the bow, in a separate compartment.

BIG WOODY EVENT AT LAKE ROTOITI (Nth Is.) COMING UP THIS WEEKEND

Always an amazing turn out of classic craft at the Lake Rotoiti wooden and classic boat parade –  Details on the website – https://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz/wooden-boat-parade/