NEREIDES
Thought I’d drop something with a mast in to keep the sailors happy, saying that Nereides is more of a motor-sailer. Looking very sharp. Photo taken at Opua by Ken Ricketts.
Nereides
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Category Archives: Yachts
Jack Brooke Cruise Collection #1 – Arohia 1952-53
Jack Brooke Cruise Collection #1 – Arohia 1952-53
waitematawoodys would like to thank Robert Brooke for making the remarkable cruise drawings done by his father, Jack Brooke, available to ww followers. Jack produced a hand drawing on each cruise. Todays post is the first of several – enjoy.
The above drawing records the travels of Arohia during 3 events – the 1952 Ocean Race to the Bay of Islands, the Whangaroa – Mangonui Race & their Xmas 1952-53 Cruise.
Jack & crew were in great form with :- 1st to finish & 2nd on handicap for the Ocean Race. Winner of the Russell Regatta. 1st to finish & 2nd on handicap for the Mangonui Race. If you look in the top right corner there is a legend that shows the individual passages.
The cruise crew were made up of the Brooke family – Elsie, Jack, Donald, Robert & Judith + Elgin Rhind, Norman Leese & Tony Yates.
Harold Kidd Reply
Jack Brooke was a genius and a great teacher and leader. I’ll never forget the winter evening lectures the Squadron used to hold for secondary school boys (not girls) at its rooms in Endean’s Building at the foot of Queen Street in the ’40s and ’50s. Not only did we get taught all sorts of useful nautical things by expert people like Jack (“Mr. Brooke”, of course), Arthur Angell, Jim Frater, Bressin Thompson and Jim Faire, but there was cocoa and fruit cake in front of the fire. And the ambiance! Those oak-framed photographs of heroic Logan and Bailey gaff cutters and the glitter of trophies in the firelight. Then the ferry ride home on a steamer. Life-changing stuff!
Sailing Sunday – Little Jim
LITTLE JIM
Little Jim is a rather special boat, almost royalty – blue blood 🙂 Designed by Arch Logan & built by Bill Couldrey in 1934 under Arch’s discerning eye.
When you start life with parents like that, when you get older & it comes time for some orthopedic surgery, only the best wooden surgeon will do – enter Peter Brookes, this artisan has worked his magic on Little Jim twice. The first time was a 2 year major refit in 2007/8, which saw strengthening work to the step and bow sections and a full interior reconfiguration. The keel was off & got new bolts & the systems were replaced or overhauled. Currently Little Jim is in Peter Brookes shed getting the finishing touches to an extensive renovation. Hopefully Little Jim’s owner Rod Marler will chip in here & walk us thru whats been happening to Little Jim over the last 12 months (photos ex Peter Brookes shed below).
And at the risk of falling off-side with the gaff-rig cohorts, Little Jim being sloop rigged is just so much more sailable (if there is such a word). No need to spend hours ringing around looking for crew, Little Jim is easily sailed by two.
When she was relaunched in 2008, Lew Barrett, one of the WoodenBoat Forum guru’s made the following comments –
“I like the textures and lightness in the handling of the interior. The glossy highlights of the trim (and the beautiful natural color of the wood) works perfectly against the subdued but flawless finishes of the cabinetry. The paneled locker doors and trim are simple but elegant. It’s exactly what we love about old wooden boats. They fully respected and retained the feel and sense of age while making her new. This is a really sensitive and demanding restoration objective to accomplish.The exterior is as clean and purposeful as the interior. It all really works to make a place you want to be.”
Our own Harold Kidd commented in 2008 at her relaunch
“it remains today an eye-catcher & a head-turner by any standards, so beautifully does form fulfill function. The aesthetics of its lines remain exquisite.
We are almost spoilt by the number of classic wooden yachts in & around our harbour, they are all special in their owners eyes but few are drop dead gorgeous – Little Jim is.
(note: Interior photos ex Chris Miller ex 2010 CYA Classic Register)
Sailing Sunday
Week-end Crusiing Yacht Race to Waiheke Island
Photo ex Simon Smith, courtesy of the Sir George Collection.
A collection of yachts from both the Akarana Yacht Club & Ponsonby Cruising Club, in a combined race to Matiatia, Waiheke Island.
Photo taken on a Saturday shortly after the start of the week-end cruising race.
Whats the yacht in the forefront? Extra points if you can name the yachtsman stowing the tender 🙂
BONUS
And as a wee extra check out the link below (click blue type – The Racing Tender) to Classic Yacht TV & watch the newly restored American schooner Kelpie of Falmouth, designed by Francis Sweisguth, raced for the first time after her 17 month restoration in Cornwall. The event is the 2014 Pendennis Cup. http://www.thependenniscup.co.uk/
Note – Kelpie of Falmouth is ‘just’ the racing tender ……………….. the mother ship is the legendary schooner, Mariette.
Mansion House Bay Launches
Mansion House Bay Launches
Photo ex Simon Smith, courtesy of the Sir George Collection.
The above photo is of Mansion House Bay, Bon Accord Harbour, Kawau Island.
A ‘little’ later than yesterdays photo, thence the colour. A good collection of launches in the bay. Always amazes me how restrained we have got, in these old photos people anchored a lot closer in than we do these days.
How many of the launches can we ID ?
And the large yacht at the wharf?
As always – if you click on the photo, it will enlarge 😉
NGATAKI VIDEO – PART THREE
NGATAKI VIDEO – PART THREE – Tony Stevenson – Tino Rawa Trust
Last week the classic wooden boating community were treated to a double whammy – the re-launch of Johnny Wray’s yacht Ngataki & the launch of a 75th Anniversary edition of his book ‘South Seas Vagabonds’. A grandson, Kelly Hunt, of one of Ngataki’s original crewman – Snow Hunt was on hand to film the official side of the occasion. There are 3 short video’s.
NGATAKI VIDEO – PART TWO
NGATAKI VIDEO – PART TWO – Bruce Ansley – New Introduction Author
Last week the classic wooden boating community were treated to a double whammy – the re-launch of Johnny Wray’s yacht Ngataki & the launch of a 75th Anniversary edition of his book ‘South Seas Vagabonds’. A grandson, Kelly Hunt, of one of Ngataki’s original crewman – Snow Hunt was on hand to film the official side of the occasion. There are 3 short video’s.
NGATAKI VIDEO – PART ONE
NGATAKI VIDEO – PART ONE – Finlay MacDonald – Harper Collins Publishing
Last week the classic wooden boating community were treated to a double whammy – the re-launch of Johnny Wray’s yacht Ngataki & the launch of a 75th Anniversary edition of his book ‘South Seas Vagabonds’. A grandson, Kelly Hunt, of one of Ngataki’s original crewman – Snow Hunt was on hand to film the official side of the occasion. There are 3 short video’s.
Woody Report From A Far #3
Woody Report From A Far #3
My cub reporter sames to have reverted to his past – the latest trip report is all sail & even a steel one, I have sent a strongly worded note reminding him his lavish retainer is based on a supply of wooden motor boat articles 🙂
OLD IRON SIDES
Only in the USA – the USS Constitution 200+ years old and even though now a museum, she is still a commissioned warship. Despite her nick name her hull is 21 inches thick timber. Undefeated in battle she was feared by the British who gave her the nickname as they could not sink her.
PEKING
One of the last generation of great sailing ships, the windjammers. Peking was built in 1911 & not a woody as her hull is steel.She is permanently berthed these days at New York’s South Street Seaport.
Ngtakai / Johnny Wray – South Sea Vagabonds
NGATAKI / JOHNNY WRAY SOUTH SEAS VAGABONDS
Big day down at the waterfront yesterday, we had over 200 people turned out for the Tino Rawa Trust re-launch of Johnny Wray’s Ngataki & the Harper Collins launch of the 75th Anniversary edition of ‘South Sea Vagabonds’.
Todays post is a photo essay of yesterdays events. As always, click any photo to enlarge 😉
Ngataki
Ngataki Memorabilia
South Sea Vagabonds 75th Anniversary edition launch
Finlay McDonald – Harper Collins
Bruce Ansley – author of the Intro
Tony Stevenson – Tino Rawa Trust
Friends of Ngataki (Andrew Fagan’s – ‘Swirly World & K. Hammond / A. Sully’s – ‘Seaward’)
Swirly World
Seaward
The legand lives on
Something really cool – at the book launch Findlay MacDonald from Harper Collins Publishing advised that the Red Cross were the benefactors of Johnny Wray’s will, so proceeds from the book sales go to them, BUT the Red Cross has decided they will split the proceeds with the Tino Rawa Trust to help maintain Ngataki. How cool is that – remember the Red Cross next time one of their collectors rattles a money box in front of you – or more likely, you get a phone call.
Remember – the boat & the dockside exhibition is open Saturday & Sunday – see details below.
Click the link below to see some launch day photos ex Tony Stevenson
http://classicyacht.org.nz/cyaforum/topic/ngataki-restoration/#post-124899
Ngataki in the International Media
The relaunch & book launch is featured in the Oct 2014 edition of the Classic Boat UK
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