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Fox II (Iris Eileen)

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FOX II (Iris Eileen)

When launched at Freemans Bay on Christmas Eve (11.55pm) 1922, Fox II was named Iris Eileen after the owners (George W.A> Elley) daughter. Designed by Charles Gouk who also supervised the build by her owner. Fox II is 48’6” on deck, with a beam of 12’6” and draws 5’.

Over the years her owners have included – Fred Arnold, Billy Silver, Lou Cahoon, O’Brian, Michael Nola and Mike Vela. She was re-named – Fox II in 1937, when Arthur Policandriotis took ownership. Story goes no one could pronounce his last name, so called him – ‘Arthur the Fox’, after his first boat.

When launched she was rigged as a ‘Gaff Cutter’ with a steel centre-board and tiller steering. The first engine installed was a 7hp steam engine from Whangaroa. She fished out of Port Charles for crayfish and would come to Auckland to then cook them, using the steam from the boiler, selling the crays at the wharf.

When the Nola Bros bought her in 1940, they fitted a new Kelvin K3 diesel. Starting the K3 was a performance  – she had a petrol start with its own magneto and carburettor. The petrol pumped to each of the 3 cylinders, with a large atomiser, then it took 15 pumps in the carburettor. A hand crank was lifted over TDC, with the compression lever open. The spark plug would ignite the gasses and when the revs got up, the lever would be thrown to bring on the full compression and start running on diesel.

Fox II fished out of Auckland as AK59 with the Southern Seas Food & Export Co. She was sold to Jack Lidgard in the 1970’s, then onto Dave Skyrme and then Iain Forsyth + others. Ian Forsyth converted her back to sail. Rebuilding a new wheelhouse over the engine room. The fish hold became the main saloon and an aft cabin was also added.

Fox II is now based in Akaroa / Lytteton and takes out dolphin watching parties.

Fox II popped up on WW back in April 2018 where Barbara Cooke spotted her in Akaroa, when they were circumnavigating NZ on Trinidad. At the time the story generated a lot of comments and input from people connected to the vessel – worth a read. https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/04/13/fox-ii/

Details and photos come to us from Iain Forsyth, who these days owns the stunning 42’ Miller & Tunnage, 1961 built, ex work-boat – Meola. See and read all about Meola at the WW links below 

https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/08/09/meola-a-peek-down-below/
https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/07/31/meloa-2/

Fox II

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Fox II

FOX II

Barbara Cooke sent me the above photo of Fox II from Akaroa. That folks is all I know about her.

Anyone able to join the dots re her past?

Input from Iain Forsyth – I use to own the Fox ‘ll and converted her from a fishing trawler to staff rig ketch that she is today.
Built in Auckland 1922 by Gouk and launched with the name Iris Eileen name change by Author the Fox.
As no one could pronounce his name.
Had the first K3 Kelvin installed.

Harold Kidd Input – FOX II was built by Charlie Gouk at Auckland in 1902. In the late 30s she was seine netting out of Auckland as AK 44 and had a 66hp Gardner. This was later replaced with a K3 Kelvin (60s). Owners I have are A. Policandriotis (1937-41) M Vela & M Nola (1941) Peter Ker (1972-92).

14-08-2018 Input below from Pam Wyse

“My father wrote the following story of the builing of the Iris Eileen before he died in 2005:

The Origin of the Vessel “IRIS EILEEN” now known as “FOX 2”
By J.E. Elley (son of the builder).
Designed by Charles Gouk who served as consultant throughout construction.  Built in 1922 by George W.A. Elley – launched December 24th, 1922 – 11.55 p.m. to commence her maiden voyage, a six weeks family cruise on Christmas Day.
Length overall when launched 48’ 6”.  Carried a large spread of sail on single mast – gaff rigged – approximately 12’ bowsprit – boom extended past the tuck.
Large steel centre plate operated by hand winch.
With a clean sheet (no bulwarks – no guard rails) she was equipped with two cabins – fore and aft of the centre hold.
Centre section was intended to serve alternative purposes:
(a) Initially to be flooded to accommodate catch of crayfish.
(b) As cargo hold for later projected trading purposes.
She was named after the builder’s only daughter, “Iris Eileen” which was carved into the tuck – gold lettering on a blue background.  None but the cleanest heart kauri was employed in her construction – supplied by Goldie’s Timber Mill – situated at that time where “Hood Sails” now stands, at the roots of the harbour bridge approaches.  Interior finish – varnished Rewa Rewa.  All knees were hand fashioned from natural Pohutukawa bends.  Fastenings were of copper and bronze throughout.  Spars were hand fashioned by the builder.
To construct the vessel a property was purchased situated on the corner of Wood and Ryle Streets in Ponsonby, Auckland.  This choice was made as a large building, formerly a stable, occupied the greater part of the northern boundary.  Partitions were removed, providing ample room for both the ship in construction and the necessary workshop, steam box etc.  Upon completion, the end of the building on Ryle Street was removed, the vessel was laboriously loaded upon a horse-drawn type timber trailer with the assistance of timber jacks.  An early type – solid rubber tyred metal truck belonging to a company named Lovett was employed to tow the trailer via Franklin Road and Beaumont Street to the slipway situated on the site occupied latterly by Shipbuilders Ltd, adjacent to where the disused ferries have been moored.  There she was rigged in preparation for launching and with the builder’s firm conviction that a yacht or sailing vessel was designed to sail, she was not equipped with an auxiliary engine.  Likewise he chose to steer her by tiller rather than by wheel.
Unfortunately he enjoyed the fruits of his labour for only eight months as he died prematurely (aged 40) in August 1923.
She was eventually sold to a syndicate to engage in the fishing industry.  She cost ₤1,500.00 to build.  Realised only ₤400.00 when sold.  The interior was completely stripped for refit to meet her new role.  In either 1926 or 1927 she was rammed and sunk in the Rangitoto Channel and upon being raised was again the subject of a refit.
It was in the early 1970’s that I learned her fishing career had ended when with new owners she was re-fitted as a pleasure craft.
End
Sadly he died before the family discovered, quite by chance, that the Fox II was based at Akaroa.  All three of his children have now sailed on the boat – he would have been thrilled to know that.”