Category Archives: Non Waitemata

Shemara + Laughing Lady in the spotlight

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SHEMARA

The photo above shows the ketch Shemara being launched in Wellington 0n the 9th August 1958, it looks a very miserable day – the wee girl I’m sure would rather be elsewhere. Photo ex Lew Redwood > fb.

Do we know what became of Shemara?

Input below from Gavin Pascoe

I own Sherama. She’s moored at Clyde Quay Wellington. 23′ LOA but feels more like 26 or 28′. She was Roydon Thomas’s first design. Built by Frank Ballinger. That’s him with his two sons Peter and Trevor, who are both still active boating in Wellington. She’s an awesome boat, Australian hardwood to the waterline, Alaskan cedar above. There’s footage of her being hauled up to Grafton Road prior to her launching (plus other cool footage) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hSB9RWMMlw&t=29s. Many, many stories go with both the boat and Roydon Thomas. Stories of Roydon Thomas’ exploits are legion. Some clean ones may be read here: https://thomasfamilyhistorynz.wordpress.com/

Shemara was never ketch rigged. People would call her a sloop as she carries one main and one jib at a time. However her mast is stepped quite well aft in comparison with most sloops, and therefore strictly speaking is more accurately described as a cutter. Though I’m no expert in the finer points of these matters: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155263975080674&set=pcb.10155263977035674&type=3&theater and https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155191194915674&set=pcb.10155191195575674&type=3&theater

And speaking of miserable days – the November 1963 photo below of the Oriental Bay boat harbour in Wellington, is proof of why they build such sturdy vessels so down there 🙂

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Not often a classic woody graces the cover of a NZ boating mag

When you are out & about, pick up a copy of the May issue of Boating NZ, they feature Laughing Lady, post launching at the Mahurangi Regatta. Great story & photos. You can see / read about her restoration > launching at the link below (lots of links to stories). There is also a feature on my boat builder friend, Geoff Bagnall, another great reason to grab a copy 😉

LAUGHING LADY – 1949 33’ USA LUDERS – COMMUTER / SPORT MOTOR BOAT REFURBISHED IN NEW ZEALAND

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Lorne Doone

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LORNA DOONE

The game fishing boat Lorna Doone has been mentioned in numerous WW stories but I have never had a photo – thanks to Lew Redwood we now do.

She is pictured above at the Black Rocks, Bay of Islands. The photo was taken by Tudor Collins.

Lorna Doone is a sister ship to Otehei, Alma G (the first of the Collings & Bell clones) & Manaaki. All were powered by Redwing engines & were capable of 16 knots.

For comparison below is a photo of Alma G, off Cape Brett.

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Input from Martin Howson – In the late 50’s both Lorna Doone and Matareka 11 were moored in the Tamaki River at Bucklands Beach L D was owned and operated by a Des Shimanski and M was owned and operated by Rex Sly both vessels were long lining at that time, great to see that both remain both , Des’s son Brian went on produce Briski propellors .On one occasion Lorna Doone came ashore on Hooks Bay on Waiheke with a big easterly blowing and Bert Surbritski with Romo would not tow her home because he knew that he would lose her on the way home with her riding up on the tow and dropping back with a heavy shock load. It was always rumoured that LD had the end of a sword fish bill through her bottom planking beneath the cockpit sole, I never saw it myself.

Some Advice Sought

I have been approached by Graeme Finch the owner of Te Arahi looking for some advice on his name boards (see below). They have a paint effect that appears to have been done to look like a varnish finish. The name / letters are done in gold – which Graeme believes is gold leaf given how well they have weathered.

Graeme is intending to paint the edges white, and would like to find someone who understands the “brown paint that looks like varnish aspect” to touch up the front surface – it’s not too bad at present, but he wants to attend to it before it becomes a major.

So in summary he is trying to preserve the gold leaf lettering so hoping to leave the lettering in place and work around it touching up those small areas, which have started to deteriorate – rather than removing everything and starting again.

So woodys anyone know the paint/varnish effect & who might do a small job like this?

My initial thought was it might be aged Cetol? A horrible product.

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Mystery Launch 27-04-2018

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Mystery Launch 27—4-2018

I was recently contacted by Brad (surname unknown), the new owner of the above woody, who is looking for more info the launch.

What we know is that he bought her off Manda Bishop who bought the boat off her cousin in Kaiwaka. Manda owned her approx. 2 years. Under Manda’s ownership she was located at Wainui.

She is 30’ long, with a 9’ beam. Zoom zoom is via a Ford Lee marine, Model 2712 E, 4-cylinder motor.

The photos below of the decals, found on the boat, may help with ID’ing her.

Brad has re-located the launch to Pahi, where he will be restoring her.

Are we able to shed some more light on this woody?

 

 

A Very Long-Shot Woody Request from Argentina.

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A Very Long-Shot Request from Argentina

I have been contacted by Paolo Panighini from Buenos Aires, looking for help ID’ing the design of the wooden launch he used to own, pictured above.

She was powered with twin 6 cylinder Scripps.

All he knows is that she was built in Uruguay in 1940 and came to Argentina afterwards.

Does anyone recognize the design boat & the builder, we really do not know who built it.

Closer to Home – Looking for details on a 36′, c.1946 bridge-decker, named Solveig when launched. Does anyone know the boat, her past & any have photos ?

Manu

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MANU

I spotted the bridge-decker Manu in late January when Trinidad was berthed at the Waikawa Marina (my photos below). Now she is 4sale on trademe, thanks to Ian McDonald for the heads-up.

Built by Bailey & Lowe in 1913, measures 37’. Zoom zoom is via a 125hp Yanmar diesel.

While her beam is listed as 9’10”, she appears very narrow, but the camera can lie 😉

Do we know anything more about her past?

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Harold Kidd Input – Briefly, MANU was built by Bailey & Lowe for J.A. Holloway of Stanley Bay. She has B&L’s standard 35 foot hull. About 1917 Holloway sold her to Lt Col Phil Andrew the Auckland Port Medical Officer of Health. He sold to W.A. Wilkinson (“Speedwell”) in June 1920 and he sold to Miss Arkle of Arkles Bay later in that year. The next owners were the O’Brien brothers of Waiheke about 1928. She spent some time on the Manukau owned (either then or later) by Albie Parkes. Henry Hansen of Mangawhare bought her in 1952and sold her to Les Bird of Silverdale c1967. Bird kept her at Wenderholm on the Puhoi River. Bird sold to Stirling Sports c1977. Then Peter Haywood had her at Milford where he was Commodore of the Club. She was in Havelock by 2000 and is still there. There were probably a few other owners in between all these but there are just so many MANUs!
Apart from the bridgedeck which has been on her since at least Hanesn’s ownership she’s pretty original. Pauline and I went over her a few years ago and were most impressed. A lovely launch.

Achates

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ACHATES

This Akaroa based woody is listed on trademe as a ‘Project’ & is offered for sale ‘as is where is’ so she’s a bit of a lucky dip 😉

She measures 30’ & is carvel planked. Has a Ford Lees 110hp diesel for the zoom zoom, & appears to have all the bits to bring her back to life. trade listing heads-up ex Ian McDonald.

Anyone know anything about her past?

 

Mystery Launches – 20-04-2018

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Mystery Launches – 20-04-2018

The above photo has been creating some chat on Lew Redwood’s facebook page, re the name of the launch in the foreground – the name on the bow starts with ‘NAR………’, there have been some suggestions – Nareen & Narelle.

She has an unusual (I’m being polite) sheerline, so that might poke a few memories.

The location is the Whangarei Town Basin.

Nathan Herbert is interested in the identity of the launch on the far bank.

So woodys – are we able to ID either or both of these woodys?

 

 

Southern Work Boats at the Catlins

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Southern Work Boats – at the Catlins

Fiona Driver & Rod Marler were recently down south, very down south – The Catlins (situated between Dunedin & Invercargill) & as you do, they dropped into the Kaka Point pub to re-hydrate. The photos above were taken from prints on the hotel wall, they tell the story of a proud past. Very wild section of our coast & I suspect as were the blokes that worked it.

I wonder if any of the boats are still around today?

The photo below from the same pub, caught Rod’s eye, shows a surf comp at Kaka Point beach mid 1960’s – none of the locals they asked could remember the exact date but the collection of cars gives it away.

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Fox II

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Fox II

FOX II

Barbara Cooke sent me the above photo of Fox II from Akaroa. That folks is all I know about her.

Anyone able to join the dots re her past?

Input from Iain Forsyth – I use to own the Fox ‘ll and converted her from a fishing trawler to staff rig ketch that she is today.
Built in Auckland 1922 by Gouk and launched with the name Iris Eileen name change by Author the Fox.
As no one could pronounce his name.
Had the first K3 Kelvin installed.

Harold Kidd Input – FOX II was built by Charlie Gouk at Auckland in 1902. In the late 30s she was seine netting out of Auckland as AK 44 and had a 66hp Gardner. This was later replaced with a K3 Kelvin (60s). Owners I have are A. Policandriotis (1937-41) M Vela & M Nola (1941) Peter Ker (1972-92).

14-08-2018 Input below from Pam Wyse

“My father wrote the following story of the builing of the Iris Eileen before he died in 2005:

The Origin of the Vessel “IRIS EILEEN” now known as “FOX 2”
By J.E. Elley (son of the builder).
Designed by Charles Gouk who served as consultant throughout construction.  Built in 1922 by George W.A. Elley – launched December 24th, 1922 – 11.55 p.m. to commence her maiden voyage, a six weeks family cruise on Christmas Day.
Length overall when launched 48’ 6”.  Carried a large spread of sail on single mast – gaff rigged – approximately 12’ bowsprit – boom extended past the tuck.
Large steel centre plate operated by hand winch.
With a clean sheet (no bulwarks – no guard rails) she was equipped with two cabins – fore and aft of the centre hold.
Centre section was intended to serve alternative purposes:
(a) Initially to be flooded to accommodate catch of crayfish.
(b) As cargo hold for later projected trading purposes.
She was named after the builder’s only daughter, “Iris Eileen” which was carved into the tuck – gold lettering on a blue background.  None but the cleanest heart kauri was employed in her construction – supplied by Goldie’s Timber Mill – situated at that time where “Hood Sails” now stands, at the roots of the harbour bridge approaches.  Interior finish – varnished Rewa Rewa.  All knees were hand fashioned from natural Pohutukawa bends.  Fastenings were of copper and bronze throughout.  Spars were hand fashioned by the builder.
To construct the vessel a property was purchased situated on the corner of Wood and Ryle Streets in Ponsonby, Auckland.  This choice was made as a large building, formerly a stable, occupied the greater part of the northern boundary.  Partitions were removed, providing ample room for both the ship in construction and the necessary workshop, steam box etc.  Upon completion, the end of the building on Ryle Street was removed, the vessel was laboriously loaded upon a horse-drawn type timber trailer with the assistance of timber jacks.  An early type – solid rubber tyred metal truck belonging to a company named Lovett was employed to tow the trailer via Franklin Road and Beaumont Street to the slipway situated on the site occupied latterly by Shipbuilders Ltd, adjacent to where the disused ferries have been moored.  There she was rigged in preparation for launching and with the builder’s firm conviction that a yacht or sailing vessel was designed to sail, she was not equipped with an auxiliary engine.  Likewise he chose to steer her by tiller rather than by wheel.
Unfortunately he enjoyed the fruits of his labour for only eight months as he died prematurely (aged 40) in August 1923.
She was eventually sold to a syndicate to engage in the fishing industry.  She cost ₤1,500.00 to build.  Realised only ₤400.00 when sold.  The interior was completely stripped for refit to meet her new role.  In either 1926 or 1927 she was rammed and sunk in the Rangitoto Channel and upon being raised was again the subject of a refit.
It was in the early 1970’s that I learned her fishing career had ended when with new owners she was re-fitted as a pleasure craft.
End
Sadly he died before the family discovered, quite by chance, that the Fox II was based at Akaroa.  All three of his children have now sailed on the boat – he would have been thrilled to know that.”

 

Mr. Lister

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MISTER LISTER

Another photo ex Barbara Cooke from the Trinidad Circumnavigation, photo taken in Golden Bay.

You wouldn’t have to be a rocket scientist to work out the make of engine in her.

Do we know anything more about her?