WHAT BECAME OF THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – OK

During the week WW was contacted by Maxine Dignan a descendant of the Sanderson family from Whangaroa, Northland.  Maxine advised she was currently writing a history of the family. During the research process she came across the photo above of a launch named – OK, pictured in Whangaroa Harbour, with Eric Sanderson at the helm.The photo was in her great-aunt’s album, but sadly with nothing more than the name the boat name and skipper.

Maxine commented that she had also found on WW mention of Eric Sanderson, most often about the launch MANAAKI. She also has links to him re the HAZEL and his brother Alan ( who was the Whangaroa Harbourmaster) on the LOTUS, and apparently Alan also owned the CONDETTE and the  RIO. Eric’s son Jim, grandson Bruce and his sons have all carried on the family commercial fishing business.

With that distinctive bow pattern / caving she must be a Bailey & Lowe boat. And with a very memorable name like OK, we must be able to tell Maxine more about the vessel. So woodys what can we share with Maxine.

INPUT ex HAROLD KIDD – she is Te Whara built by Bailey & Lowe (obviously) in late 1916 for TL and N Drummond of Whangarei. The only local O.K was built by James Reid in 1909 as a passenger launch for Capt Stentiford. Misnamed in the caption I think.

JUST NEED TO FIND THE 8MM MOVIE PROJECTOR IN THE STORAGE LOCKUP 

One of the Friday night gang is an antique dealer and travels the country sourcing goods, these days mainly ‘old’ gold.During the week at one location he spotted a stack of old 8mm movies, on closer inspection one to him may have had appeal to me (note I’m being very PC). Titled ‘Nautical Nudes’ , filmed c.1960 – for the sensitive WW readers I have edited the cover photo, when and if its viewed I will report back 😉