Tag Archives: Ernie Sisson

MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – 193O’s Photos = LADY VI

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MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – 193O’s Photos – LADY VI

Earlier in the week thanks to Rosemary Wakeman we had the great story on the launch – ESME.

Rosemary also sent in several other photos from her uncles (Ernie Sisson) 1930’s photo album. 

Two of them show a bridge-decker alongside a docked Clipper flying boat, location most likely Auckland.

Can we ID the launch. My guess is TASMAN, but I’m sure Nathan Herbert will have the answer 🙂

INPUT EX KEN RICKETTS – the launch is LADY VI – more here https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/04/14/mystery-launch-1404/

08–3-2025VINPUT EX OLAF WIIF – The photos of the flying boat are so cool.  It is NC18602 (number 18) and named California Clipper,  the very last 314 flying boat to be retired from service at Pan Am.  One of only 12 made, it had clocked up over a million miles in service. It dates the photo as being taken between March 1939 when Pan Am took delivery of its first 314 and 1946 when California clipper retired. 

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ESME

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ESME

A recent email from Rosemary Wakeman is what WW is all about – connecting the dots. I have reproduced the email below (slight edit)

“Doing a major tidy-up of old family photos – that I presume my kids will  throw out upon my demise.

I have  photos (and letters ) of ESME, a launch my late Uncle Ernie Sisson owned ( part owned ? )  in the 1930’s.   She was moored in Tauranga ( on a swing mooring I guess) I presume he sold her before he went to war in late December 1940.  I think he managed the grocery store Self Help in Tauranga.  He was killed in 1943, navigator on a Lancaster Bomber shot down over Germany 08-11-1943.

Two thoughts ..  was Esme still afloat? – and would any museum or collector like the photos  and letters mentioning her? “

The name ESME has appeared numerous times on WW but todays launch at 22’ is too small for the others . Also keen to learn that engine was in her, based on the back of the post card – the claim of 12-13 knots is impressive.

So woodys can we help Rosemary out.

INPUT EX HAROLD KIDD

Esme was owned by A. Hunter in 1930 but she’s a lot older than that. My pick is about 1904/5 with that rakish bow and “torpedo stern”. Ernie Sisson owned her in October 1939 when he modified her cabin top. He did a very good job as you can see. I have a photo of her on Charlie Millett’s slip at the same time as the bottom photo above. Some of the old Tauranga hands should have more information on her?