MYSTERY PICTON WOODEN LAUNCH AT THE MOETAPU REGATTA
Regular WW readers will know I’ve got a real soft spot for the good folks at the Picton Clinker & Classic Boat Club. They truly embody everything that’s great about the New Zealand classic boating scene — passion, community spirit, and plenty of character.
One of the highlights in my inbox each month is their club newsletter, DEADWOOD — always packed with stories, snippets, and treasures.
In the latest issue, two photos caught my eye — both shared above.
The first shows a rather smart-looking launch, captioned “Moetapu Regatta, Pelorus Sound, 26th December 1911.” Sadly, her identity remains a mystery. Can any woodys help name this launch.
The second photo, taken at the Moetapu Regatta on 27th December 1905, captures a very different scene — a seriously overloaded punt ferrying people to shore. The club newsletter counted at least 45 souls aboard. Clearly, there were no Health & Safety inspectors on duty that day 🙂
THE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH JULIA – HOW DID SHE END UP HERE
Back in May 2017 one of the roving woody crew, Ross Dawson, reported in on the classic wooden double-end launch – JULIA. Ross spotted JULIA berthed at Nelson Marina (first 3 photos above)
Fast forward to Jan 2018 and John Burland reported that she was still berthed in Nelson.
Then in December 2022 Bay of Islands woody, Dean Wright snapped a photo of JULIA in Havelock Marina.
Sadly each time we were unable to learn anymore details on the vessel.
Then mid-week I get an email from Alistair Rowe reporting that while on a walk he spotted JULIA looking very sad lying in a bit of wasteland behind Sanford’s mussel processing plant at Havelock.
Hopefully this isn’t the end of the road for JULIA- can anyone enlighten us on the vessel and how she ended up in this sad state.
CAN WE NAME THIS MYSTERY CLASSIC LAUNCH – SPINDRIFT
Recently, WW was contacted byKipp Henderson, who discovered the above photos while going through a family album.
In the second photo, Kipp believes the ‘skipper’ is almost certainly Frank Pidgeon — or possibly his son, Edward Pidgeon. Frank was Kipp’s father’s uncle and is known to have moved from Christchurch to Auckland around the mid-1930s, following his marriage.
Our records show that Frank Pidgeon was a prolific owner of classic wooden launches during the 1940–1950s period.
So, Woodys — today’s question is: can we identify the vessel? If she’s still afloat, Kipp is keen to pass on the original photograph to her current custodian.
Back in December 2020 we ran a story on the ex workboat – MARIAN, at the time it was for sale and sadly all we learnt was that MARIAN was built by Alf Saunders, is 50’ in length and powered by a 6LX 110hp Gardner. We had no interior photos but were told that the conversion from workboat to pleasure craft had begun.Link to that story here Dec 2020 https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/10/16/marian-ex-work-boat-conversion-project/
Now fast forward to last night and when I was searching the WW files I opened one and found another file included. It was labelled MARIAN. How this does happen occansionly , something gets saved to the wrong place – Ill blame a lack of sleep 🙂
So woodys I’m very embarrassed to admit that back in January (2025) IWW was contacted by Charmaine and Dallas Hands, who advised they had recently purchased MARIAN and were looking for more information on her. They commented that she has had a partial conversion to pleasure boat but is in need of extensive work after being abandoned. They also mentioned they had information that her correct name is MARION not MARIAN, since finding an old photo onboard, see below.
So woodys can we help with more intel on the vessel.
Last week WW was contacted by Sharron French who during a review of her parents photo album and came across a couple of photos of her Dad on a boat named TUWHARETOA at Lake Taupo. The date would have been in the early > mid 1950s.Sharron did a quick google search and up popped the WW site and an article mentioning a boat of this name.
Reviewing the WW stories, the first one from June 2014, there was speculation that TUWHARETOA in a previous life may have been named – DAWN, but at the time Harold Kidd commented “I reckon TUWHARETOA could have been a different launch because she was owned by Sam Crowther who advertised her for hire only from February to May 1923, although it may have been a brief change of name.”
Then in June 2020 in another mystery launch story Paul Drake identified the launch in that story as being named RHODESIA, HDK commented that there had been talk that RHODESIA may have been TUWHARETOA, Paul relied “The idea that RHODESIA became TUWHARETOA is very interesting and quite possible. I remember her in the 1950’s. She had a raised cabin, to the full width of the original cabin, which was very well done. To my eye, she was a looker.”
Well looking at todays top photo, the launch certainly is a looker.
So woodys – the question today, probablybest answered by Paul Drake is – does today’s launch photos answer any of the confusion re DAWN / RHODESIA / TUWHARETOA.
Input ex Paul Drake – According to the book ‘Boats of Taupo’, published by the Taupo Museum, RHODESIA did indeed become DAWN and then TUWHARETOA. These photos are really interesting and show TUWHARETOA possibly when under the ownership of Ralph Ward, who purchased her in 1939. Ralph had come to Taupo for his health in 1918, having been gassed (and having contracted tuberculosis) in WW1. With no petrol being available for pleasure boats during WW2, Ralph replaced the petrol hungry 6 cylinder Studebaker with a single cylinder San Francisco Standard salvaged from the local boatyard, and converted it to run on unrationed kerosene. Ralph was clearly a good keen man. The previously quick DAWN became the very slow TUWHARETOA, but meant that the Ward family could spend days in the Western Bays, without encountering another boat. Later, a twin cylinder version of the San Francisco Standard was installed. Also able to run on kerosene, this heavy beast meant that she could achieve ‘about 8 knots’. That is what it says in the book, but 8 knots is unlikely, in my view. Sold by Ward in the 1950’s, she remained at Taupo until the late 50’s or early 60’s and then disappeared – said to have gone to Napier for refurbishing. Someone must know more! Thanks to Sharron French for sharing the photos. They have made my day.
As a result of Wednesdays story Dean Wright pointed me in the direction of the photos you see today. Same name, now slightly different e.g its been sliced in two – now TAI MARINO.
What we have learnt is that she is 40’ in length, built c.1968 by Kingfisher Boats in Tauranga, originally for game fishing.Kauri carvel planked hull.
Currently powered by a 120hp Ford (Lees) engine that gives her a cruising speed of 8 knots.
Todays woody is the 36’ launch – MANAAKI built in 1928 by Collings & Bell. The photo comes to us from Karl Webber via Lew Redwood fb. In the fb story is comments that at the time of the photo (1930) the boat was owned by the Webber family and was built of kauri and used primarily to cross from Kapiti Island to Paraparaumu.
Looking for confirmation that todays MANAAKI is the same launch that was build for the Zane Grey fleet – ALMA G, OTEHEI and AVALON were the names of some of her sisters.
I spotted the above (ex?) workboat last weekend in Bon Accord Harbour, KAWAU ISLAND during the Woodys Classic Launch Parade.
Keen to lean more about her past and present life.
ANYONE OWN A – J. A. Wheeler classic boat? I have come across the location of the builders name plate below, which is crying out to be re-connected to a suitable vessel.
MISS PICTON the ex tourist launch was built by Collings & Bell and launched in December 1933. Her first owner was Captain M Steele of Picton, who motored MISS PICTON down the East Coast to Picton. In 1953 her name was changed to MITRE PEAK and she ‘worked in the excursions & tourist services market.
Todays photo was sent in by Roger Young who commented that the man standing on the foredeck is Aubrey Forster, NZ Airforce. Aubery was Roger’s partner Suzanne’s father.. The photo is thought to be dated early 1950’sInteresting mix of people aboard, appear to be all well attired, but that was the normal back then. Any woody able to shed more light on the photo.
Photo below ex Richard Hockey – now named Anita Bay. Location is Riverton. The ’new’ superstructure was added c.1970’s. (Early intel ex Harold Kidd)
31-10-2025 INPUT ex RICHARD HOCKEY (Brisbane, Aust) – photos below of ANITA BAY in Riverton + also one from 1976 when she was still Mitre Peak but had new superstructure.
CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – TAIMARINO
Woody John Dawson recently unearthed the top black-and-white photo of the classic wooden boat TAIMARINO. The image appeared in an old article on big game fishing and immediately caught his eye. John’s detective work led him to Paul Wilson, who kindly sent through the colour photograph above. Paul also mentioned that TAIMARINO was possibly built by Bill Visser in the late 1960s. And that, woodys, is where the trail currently ends. Can anyone help fill in the gaps in TAIMARINO’s story? Any background on her design, builder, or early adventures would be greatly appreciated.
A SAD NOTE – Yesterday I learned of the passing of Bruce Tantrum – a true enthusiast and long-time supporter of the New Zealand classic wooden boating movement. R.I.P. Bruce — your passion and knowledge will be greatly missed on the waterfront.
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