CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – NAIROBI

Todays classic wooden launch is named NAIROBI and the photo was taken by William Fletcher and is from the Auckland maritime museum collection via Lew Redwood. 

All we know is the location is the Waitemata Harbour, with Stanley Point, Devonport in the background.

Quite an unusual design so hopeful someone recognises her and we can learn more.

Nice to see the Auckland Motor Yacht Club ensign flying ✔️

INPUT ex HAROLD KIDD – NAIROBI first pops up in December1914 owned by H S Bates. She was allocated number 63 for racing with NZPBA and did race off and on until 1934 when she disappears, possibly through a name change. She does appear in a December 1914 NZ Yachtsman issue as MAIROBA. The extended cabintop is very likely a 1920’s affectation.

I think it’s likely that she started life as JERSEY LILY (2) which Tom Le Huquet built for himself in late 1910 and sold to H C Bates not H S Bates (but possibly the same guy) around December 1914/January 1915. JERSEY LILY had a 12hp Zealandia and was 30’/30’/ 7’5″/3′ which looks about right for NAIROBI. Bates put a new engine in her in November 1920 to get more speed.