MYSTERY WOODEN LAUNCH 25-03-25
Long overdue a mystery launch competition – the above photo comes to us from the Auckland Libraries heritage collection via Nathan Herbert.
Can we ID the vessel – first correct answer, received via email after 8am today, WINS a WW Burgee.
Answer to waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Mystery Thames Wooden Launch
Earlier in the week WW was contacted by Patrick Fyers who sent in the above photo. Patrick commented that the boat was built by Wharepoa farmer / boatbuilder – Arthur John Innis. He built 3 kauri planked boats.sometime between 1917>1920.
In the photo we see her being drawn along Pollen St, Thames on skids by Clydesdale horse. The destination is the Curtis Wharf at Grahamstown.
The original photo was supplied by Dudley Troughton, Innis’s grandson..
Patrick obtained the photo from a friend whose great uncle built the launch (I assume thats A J Innis)
Note- the photo is vaguely familiar, may have appeared on WW before but I’m unable to find it)
YESTERDAYS QUIZ – No winner. The launches name is – ROYANA, she was designed and built by Woollcott in 1949. Powered by a Yanmar 3JH. Home is Stillwater, Auckland. People were all over the place re design / build – Shipbuilders, Hartley, Parris, Jackson, Frank Pelin and more 🙂
MYSTERY NORTH AUCKLAND WOODEN BOAT
Todays photo comes to us from the ‘Old North Auckland – Northland Photos & Stories fb via Lew Redwood.
The photo was captioned “Steve Bignall and his crane truck, an American war surplus Diamont T putting a launch back into the water, Whangarei, 1940-50’. The location is where the swimming pool car park is now.
Any one with a good memory able to put a name to the launch.
LOOKING FOR HELP IDENTIFYING THIS CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT
Todays woody photo comes to us from the Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection via Nathan Herbert. All we know is that the ship is the ‘GOTHIC and at the time had a very well known passenger on board – Queen Elizabeth II, during her 1953 visit to New Zealand.
So woodys can we ID the launch – I’m sure HDK knows the answer 😉
We return to the AWBF tomorrow for a gallery of images from the opening day – Parade of Sail.
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – CAN IT BE SAVED OR A BEEHIVE RESTORATION
Todays 22’ classic woody photos come to us from a tme listing, thanks Ian McDonald for the heads up.
I know if its wood a rebuild is always doable but there is always the maths to be done eg cost v’s what its worth restored.
Even though the asking price is $1, unless someone with deep pockets and a past connection to a vessel – sadly these craft end up as a Beehive restoration , if you aren’t familiar with the term, scroll down.
Looking at the photos the potentially most valuable items – the portholes – have been removed, combine this the the boats location – Blenheim, Marlborough. Things do not look too rosy.
So woodys can we put a name to the boat so that we at least give her a fitting end.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS CLASSIC SUBMERGED LAUNCH
Woody John Dawson sent in the above photos of a small double ender launch that had sunk at Ngaio Bay, Scotts Landing, Mahurangi.
I did a google search and it appears that the even was actually in mid Oct 2024, the vessels name might by ‘EIGHT.
So todays question is was she refloated and if so what became of her?
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MYSTERY CLASSIC LAUNCH A LONG WAY FROM THE SEA – PRIVATEER
Todays photos were sent in by Jason Prew who spotted the launch ‘high & dry’ at Tokaanu. I’ll assume that like me most of you will go ‘where?’, so I’ll make it easy for you – Tokaanu is a small settlement at the southern end of Lake Taupo, near Turangi, in the central north island.
She is quite pleasing to the eye and appears to be well looked after. Maybe a few inches off the top of the dog house and replace the windows………..
Can any of the lake woodys (Drakes brothers?) ID the craft for us.
INPUT ex PAUL DRAKE – The Tokaanu launch is PRIVATEER. She appeared on woodys in 2015. She was the last boat to be ejected from the old Motuaopa Marina before it was re developed. In about 2221 she was purchased from the Harbour Master as an abandoned vessel. Her new (Auckland) owner has done well to get her to the stage she is at, but the last step – getting her back in the water – seems to be eluding him. Good things take time……
2015 WW link https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/08/22/privateer/
2021 WW Link https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/07/07/what-happened-to-privateer-sandpiper/
FLUMDY – Looking For Help Identifying This Wooden Boat
WW was recently contacted by Dion Allott in regard to his 28’ launch – FLUMDY.
Dion purchased FLUMDY approx. 6 years ago from a gent named Steve who was the yard manager at Pier 21 at the time. FLUMDY was previously owned by a lawyer who left NZ for the USA and didn’t pay her fees.
Dion moored her at Little Shoal Bay, Auckland for a couple of years — and now she is on his front lawn for re-caulking and restoration. Her hull is single planked, caulked and ribbed kauri.
Other than what is recorded above, Dion knows nothing about the vessel and is asking if any of the WW readers can help with any information etc etc about her.
CAN WE ID THESE WOODEN CRAFT WASHED ASHORE AT BROWNS BAY
Todays images come to us from a fb post by Mungo Lloyd via Chris Leech.
Mungo commented that they came from his grandfathers photo album and showed the boats washed ashore on Browns Bay beach after breaking their moorings during a severe easterly storm in the 1950’s.
Particularly interested in ID’ing the launch.
MYSTERY WELLINGTON CLASSIC WOODY
WW has been contacted by Martin Orme regarding a small launch that interests him as a restoration project. Martin came across it under a tree in Wainuiomata, Wellington.
Martin commented that he thinks he can just make out the name MARETOSA on the stern, or something close to that , and not sure if that name is the original. So woodys can anyone help Martin out with intel on the vessel.
PERFECT XMAS SANTA SACK ADDITION – Classic Woody Calendar
Once again the team at the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Association have produced a stunning 2025 calendar – probably the best ever, but I’m biased as I snapped a lot of the photos :-)A bargain at $15 – order here https://form.jotform.com/233366600330850
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