BABY LU / WARATAH DNA CONFIRMED

BABY LU / WARATAH DNA CONFIRMED

Recently there was some debate on a WW story (link below) regarding the DNA of a launch named Waratah. Now thanks to the above stunning photo sent in by Harold Kidd we can close the case – all 3 craft pictured in the WW story are the same boat (ttps://waitematawoodys.com/2023/10/20/baby-lu/

Normally I would have just added the new photo to the existing story, but its such a cool photo it deserves to stand alone – you have to love the attire of the gents onboard – collared shirt and necktie 🙂

TIME TO RSVP FOR THE WOODYS LUNCH CRUISE TO THE RIVERHEAD TAVERN – SUNDAY NOV 19th – rsvp to the email address below with boat name and approx crew numbers (if known) RSVP waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Baby Lu

BABY LU

Earlier in the week Ken Ricketts sent in the above photo of the launch Baby Lu. The photo is ex the NZ Herald 12 October 1929 issue, and comes to us via fb.

The NZH story was highlighting the fact that the previous week, Baby Lu had been stolen from her Auckland mooring and was found abandoned several days later afloat off Bucklands Beach.

Back in March this year we ran a story around a mystery launch ist photo below, at the time Nathan Herbert commented that (with a few alterations) Baby Lu could have morphed into this launch. NH also pointed out the similarities to another craft – named Waratah, 2nd photo below) that has appeared on WW.

Now that we have a tagged Baby Lu photo – what to the brains trust think around the DNA of these craft.

MYSTERY LAUNCH 23-08-2023
WARATAH 16-03-2023

01-11-2023 UPDATE – Photo below of Baby Lu > Waeatah ex Harold Kidd

15-01-2024 UPDATE – photo below ex K Rickettsis probably Baby Lu (confirmed by Nathan Herbert)