Category Archives: Military

WHERE IS THE CLASSIC LAUNCH WAIRUAMA

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WHERE IS THE CLASSIC LAUNCH WAIRUAMA

Back in November 2014 (the very earlier days of the site) WW ran a brief story on the classic wooden launch -WAIRUAMA. Over the next 3 years the comments and photographic input just mushroomed. There was a lot of debate as to who designed / built WAIRUAMA, link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/11/29/wairuama/

Then in late 2017 we went into radio silence and nothing since.

Until yesterday when I was contacted by a gent who advised that he had an item engraved with the message – ” With best wishes from the skipper and crew of the Wairuama 26.5.43”. Given the date we could safely assume the ‘skipper and crew’ were her war time NAPS crew.

So woodys do we know where WAIRUAMA is today, would be nice if we could reunite the item with the boat. Ps Given the price of gold these days, have not disclosed what the item is – joke 🙂


STILL ROOM DOCKSIDE IF YOUR WANT TO JOIN IN ON THE CLASSIC WOODYS OVERNIGHT BBQ CRUISE TO CLEVEDON RSVP TO waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC 1929 WOODEN LAUNCH VECA – 4sale

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CLASSIC 1929 WOODEN LAUNCH VECA – 4sale

Todays classic woody launch is VECA, built and launched in November 1929 in Evans Bay , Wellington . Her owner Peter Glue commented that she was built in Kilburnie by his wife’s grand father and his brother (Weine & Peter Harvey) and is named after their wives Vera and Caroline . Arthur Sang , a boat builder on the Hutt River , supervised and helped the brothers .

vECA was sold during WW2 when fuel was hard to get and was bought back into the family in the early 1960’s where she has remained until today .

She has been a much loved family member and has undergone many improvements ensuring that her classic lines have been retained .                                     She is 36′ x 10′ with a draft of 4′. Hull is 1.5” kauri which has ben refastened and recaulked a number of years ago . Top sides were plyed and glassed over so she as sound today as when she was launched 97 years ago .

Forward motion is via a 27 hp Volvo and she consumes less than 3 litres per hour at 6.5 -7 knots cruising speed . She has a foremast and mizzen mast (which is not mounted ) with a steadying sail in her ample stern storage compartment .

After nearly 100 years of ownership the call has been made to find her next custodian. VECA is very well appointed and presents in stunning condition, ready for the next 100 years of family fun .

Sitting at Waikawa on a 11m marina berth which can be transfered to new owner.

You will have ‘heard’ me talk about it being a buyers market – well here is an example – asking price $45k

An idea, buyer her, rent the marina berth for 3>4 months and have a summer holiday cruising around the top of the South Island. Then bring her north (motor > wellington > road haulage > Auckland / Northland)

Interested parties to contact owner at p.j.glue@xtra.co.nz

Photos below from her early days. (Note photos above are a mix of past and present)

PENCARROW – A WWII VETERAN CLASSIC LOOKING FOR A NEW CUSTODIAN

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PENCARROW – A WWII VETERAN CLASSIC LOOKING FOR A NEW CUSTODIAN

Back in April 2022 WW ran a story on the launch PENCARROW, a 1916 , 38’6” bridge-decker built by Chas Bailey & Son, Auckland – with a proud WWII service history. Known as NAPS superstar Z75, she served Wellington Harbour. At the time Dylan Sagger was trying to find the location of the vessel. Link to story here – lots of photos. https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/04/04/pencarrow-where-is-she/

Fast forward 4 years and Dylan has provided an update on the launch after talking with her owner, who also advised the vessel was now listed on trademe.

Her construction is a displacement hull with triple-planked kauri. And remarkably today she still retains her 120hp Ford Lees six-cylinder engine. Dylan commented that his father a previous owner, always described her as a “good sea boat”.

Dylan would love to see her returned to her former glory, perhaps even restored to her Z75 wartime configuration. Taking her on is beyond Dylan’s reach but ENCARROW deserves a caring new owner. She is a genuine piece of New Zealand boating history that should be preserved and celebrated.

Her trade me listing expires on 27 November 2026, she has a starting bid of $1 and no reserve, so there must be someone with the resources to rescue her. Current location is Port Underwood, Marlborough Sounds.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MENAI RELAUNCHED

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MENAI RELAUNCHED

Over the last 2months WW has been following  the 38’ 1937 Sam Ford built classic wooden launch – MENAI as she has been continuing her rolling restoration.

Very likely one of the longest projects since she changed hands in 2021. Her latest owner has continued righting the deferred maintenance and when she slid down the railway slipway at The Slipway Milford yesterday, MENAI was looking very smart. Probably her best in the last ten years.

Lots of discussion re whether the bow and side rails are reinstalled – owner and myself say yes, Milford crew say no.Time will tell. Photos below of her with and without rails fitted.

Lets put it to the vote below 👍 = no rails – 👎 = refit rails

CLASSIC MULLET BOAT WAIATA’s POST WAR TRIP > JAPAN

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CLASSIC MULLET BOAT WAIATA’s POST WAR TRIP > JAPAN

Todays woody tale features the 1934 Dick Lang built 26’ mullet boat – WAIATA (H15). Probably the most travelled mullet boat ever.

Chris Leech sent in a link to a fb post by the boats owner – Steve Rhodes, Steve had shared details and photos on the ’Sitting There Rotting….’ page.

We learnt that WAIATA was taken over in c.1939 by the Royal NZ Airforce for use in a R&R programme during the war. Fast forward to March 1946 and the airforce loaded WAIATA onto an English aircraft carrier named GLORIA headed for Japan where she continued her R&R duties for the J-Force.

WAIATA returned to NZ in 1948, and returned to civilian ownership. The article below is dated from the year 2000 and provides more background.Steve Rhodes commented he bought WAIATA awhile ago in disrepair and pulled her out and is spending ‘shiploads’ on doing her up. In the b/w photo above we see WAIATA on the aircraft carrier GLORIA along with our troops and the Corsair planes.
Great history, keen to learn more about the future plans for the ‘yacht’ (I suspect from the photos she is now better described as a launch)

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/

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH WINSOME II (MAUDE T > LATEX) 4SALE

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH WINSOME II (MAUDE T > LATEX) 4SALE

Todays feature classic wooden craft is WINSOME II, the 36’ William Hand designed launch was built in 1924 by the Lane Co., Freemans Bay, Auckland.

WINSOME II has appeared on WW numerous times over the years as we have followed her movements around New Zealand.

Today thanks to her current owners we get an extensive deep dive into her past. I have included below a brief overview but encourage you to open / download the PDF file attached to todays story to experience her amazing visual and written history.

Built 1924 – LOA 36’, beam 9’6”, draught 2’9”, kauri chine hull.

Launched as MAUDE T for David Teed, the then mayor of Newmarket, Auckland. Purchased by a Capt. A.E. Emanuel, a ships’ pilot who came to NZ from Shanghai. Re-named LATEX. Commandeered 1940 by the RNZAF, served in Auckland and Tauranga harbours ferrying trainee pilots to and from airports. Acquired by Andy Donovan 1945, used as a charter boat, big game fishing, etc Re-powered with Gray V8 gasoline engine, Cruised at 20 knots. Wheelhouse added 1952. Repowered with Nissan SD 33 diesel 1991. Bequeathed to grandson Andrew Lusty c.1995. Then an unknown owner took her to the Bay of Islands. Found in 2002 by Mike Allan (Marlborough) and trucked and sailed down to Havelock, Marlborough. Refurbishment is ongoing, continued by Chris and Julia Knowles from 2002. 

Maintained with significant assistance from Richard Browning (mechanic/electrical engineer) who also refurbished hull, and installed new galley, conversion to all-round LED lighting, installation 40 V solar panel and associated control panel. WINSOME II is powered by a Nissan diesel  SD 42 T 120 HP straight 6 cylinder that had a marinised cooling system installed 1995. Refurbished motor installed 2016. Her comfortable speed range (cruise > max) is 8 > 10 knots. 

Todays photo gallery are a mix of dates, used to give an overview of her adventures.

Today’s story has two objectives.

To record and share the remarkable history of this beautiful 100-year-old classic so that her story is preserved for future generations.

And to help find her next owner – not simply a buyer, but a custodian who recognises they are acquiring one of New Zealand’s maritime treasures… a vessel that also happens to stop people in their tracks wherever she goes.

Interested parties to initially contact waitematawoodys@gmail.com for more details.

Brochure 2026Download

14-07-2026 INPUT ex ELLEN ANDERSON – Daughter of the “unknown owner” (mentioned above) that took WINSOME II to B.O.I. – the old photo below is Ellen at the helm as a little girl.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ARAB

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ARAB

The  32’ Collings & Bell built (1913) launch ARAB has appeared several times on WW, but today thanks to John Dawson recovering from a unplanned hospital visit and having to rest up, we get to share some perviously unseen on WW photos of ARAB.

Most of the photos are from the McLeod collection at the Auckland Libraries heritage section.

In the first two photos we see ARAB moored at unidentified road bridge c.1910/19.

In the third photo we have ARAB on the left and a launch identified by it’s commercial number – A.K.719 in the centre. The location is Te Kouma Harbour. 

The last photo is also from TE Korma and dated c.1910/19.

The b/w photo below is dated early 1900’s .

SILENS – A CLASSIC BOAT OWNERSHIP  OPPORTUNITY – WHO WILL STEP UP

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Post Sinking

SILENS – A CLASSIC BOAT OWNERSHIP  OPPORTUNITY – WHO WILL STEP UP

Yesterday WW was contacted by the owners of the 1912 Harvey & Lang built, 38′ classic wooden launch – SILENS and advised that post her recent sinking (refer WW story link below) they had made the decision to walk away from SILENS. https://waitematawoodys.com/2026/04/01/an-update-on-the-sinking-of-classic-wooden-launch-silens/

WW has been asked to help locate a suitably woody enthusiast interested in taking her on as a project, that has the time, resources and space to work on her.

A lot of people buy an older wooden boat and do not bother with a survey and subsequently discover they own a black hole that they are constantly tipping money into. SILENS could be the opposite eg you know exactly what you are acquiring and any surprises have been identified.

SILENS was/is great boat and probably just needs a systems upgrade. Do not let a couple of days under the waves put you off – the membership list of the ‘Classic Submariners Club’ is not as exclusive as most would think. Even my own woody has spent time (weeks) sitting on the bottom.

Interested parties to initially make contact via email to facilitate the process re liaising with the insurance company. Contact Leigh-Ann leighann.newton24@gmail.com

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – REHUTAI 428

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – REHUTAI 428

Last week WW was contacted by Mitchell Hutchings regarding the classic 43’ Sam Ford built (1926) wooden launch – REHUTAI, his note is reproduced below. Mitchell also supplied the photos we see above of REHUTAI under construction and on a cruise.  Sam Ford built REHUTAI for C C Ross of Wellington and when launched she was powered by a 50/75 hp Stearns engine.

“The photos were taken by my Uncle, Peter Parsonson, a Milford resident and past Commodore of the Devonport Yacht Club. His wife, Eva, is shown in some of the onboard photos. Also Bob and Bertie Davidson are named, probably the owners? They look like a happy crew. “

In Sept 2023 REHUTAI was in Wellington (painted yellow) and we learnt from Nathan Herbert that she had has several name changes over the years eg ARAWA, NOMAD, IRIHAPETI. Converted to her current configuration by Allan Williams in Milford, Auckland. Link below https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/09/05/mystery-wellington-launch-2/

Nathan Herbert pointed WW in the direction of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand (Photograph Collection) where there are two stunning WWII photos on file (last two above) of REHUTAI W428, during her time with the Air Force Marine Section, based at RNZAF Station Hobsonville. At the time she was ‘on-loan’ from Stan Parker.