Tag Archives: Hauiti

MAHURANGI DOCKSIDE MOOCHING + MAHURANGI REGATTA

Posted on by
1

MAHURANGI DOCKSIDE MOOCHING + MAHURANGI REGATTA

Just prior to the xmas break I had cause to visit Warkworth, ok I’ll tell the truth – I was buying a pie on route to Sandspit marina 🙂

Rather than fill the car with crumbs, I went for a stroll down to the riverfront dockside. As always there was a very salty looking collection of craft tied up. 

Most of the craft will be attending the 2025 Mahurangi Cruising Club Regatta later this month (Jan 25th) – the biggest gathering of classic craft afloat in New Zealand, refer flyer below.

The scow – RIPPLE is a seriously good-looking craft – read more on her at the link below. https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/09/04/the-sailing-scow-ripple-can-we-learn-more-about-her/

Todays story is a shameless plug for the MCC regatta and other activities in Kawau Bay over anniversary weekend.

2024 MAHURANGI REGATTA – CLASSIC WOODY LAUNCH PARADE 130+ PHOTOS 

Posted on by
5
My GIRL
MEOLA
Launch Parade

2024 MAHURANGI REGATTA – CLASSIC WOODY LAUNCH PARADE 130+ PHOTOS 

As regular readers of the waitematawoodys site know the last weekend of January is always a biggie on the wooden boating calendar. The Mahurangi Cruising Club year-on-year pull off the biggest wooden boating event in New Zealand – {the} Mahurangi Regatta. If you type that into the WW search box your day will be ruined – hundreds of classic wooden boating photos.

I’ll apologise upfront for the lack of sailing photos – these days there are a lot of other happy-snappers recording the racing – when and if I get photos or links, I’ll add them to the story. 

It was a sub 24hr up and back trip to Mahurangi – I had an important family event that I have been dodging for years, and this year the message was – “be here” 🙂

I came away from Mahurangi feeling very upbeat for the health of the classic wooden motor boat movement – there was in excess of 50 classic woodys in the Mahurangi Harbour and from that fleet 32 skippers participated in the classic woody launch parade. A record turnout, so I say thank you those that took part and specially those that dressed their craft.

I was particularly heartened to see the return of several craft that had drifted away from the scene due to relocations, long tern refits and frustration with the community. Of note was Florance Dawn, Kumi and Raiona.

People linked to the supposedly organisation of the the parade (I’m not talking about the MCC) need to wake up to the contribution that the classic launches make to the event – 50+ craft is a mighty powerful visual vista. So fingers crossed the housekeeping improves to ensure the loyalist keep turning up.

After the speed bumps at the start, the parade got underway and a good time was had by the skippers, crews and spectators afloat and ashore at Sullivans Bay.

Enjoy the gallery of photos – some (most) boats appear twice, some I’m sure missed the camera, can’t be everywhere:-) Thanks to Steve Horsley for the photo of Raindance and Murray Deeble for the race start photo.

As always click on photos to enlarge 😉

A reward – first woody to tell me which boat in the above photos has the largest WW flag – wins a normal size WW burgee – enter at waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Hauiti

Posted on by
6

HAUITI

During the week Hugh Gladwell gave me the heads up on a woody project that was nearing completion. The ex navy 3-in-1 whaler, Hauiti, also known as a motor sea-boat, was built at the Naval Dockyard in 1962 out of double diagonal kauri. She has been converted by Peter Thompson (who was the project manager on the Jane Gifford restoration) to a river boat to operate in survey on the Mahurangi River. Hauiti is powered by an Elco electric motor which will run for about 7 hours and is charged by a bank of solar panels on the cabin top with no shore charging. Peter Sewell has designed the propellor.
Hugh commented that the river is now dredged along 3 quarters of its length to a depth of 1.5 metres at low water and they have about a year to go to complete the project. Once complete, the upper basin area  will be a great overnight cruising destination for swallow(ish) vessels. Watch this space for a woodys weekend cruise.

Looking For Santa Sack Fillers

For what seems a very long time (25 years in fact), Rotorua woody – Ronald Wattam has been beavering away pulling together a book on the boat building dynasty  – C.J.and A.J. Collings. Ron is linked via marriage to the family. The book covers the period 1896 > 1967. Yesterday a package arrived with some advance copies –  I am so manic on the work front I haven’t had a chance to read, but at 153 pages its a very extensive collection of photos, data and insights into 70 years of New Zealand maritime history. I have two copies to give away – the question is – approximately how many boats did the Collings & Bell company build?. All close answers will go into the draw for one of two copies. Entry is by email only to waitematawoodys@gmail.com closes 9pm 17-12-2021 If you miss the draw – copies are available at $55+p&p, direct from Ronald Watttam at olivine@xtra.co.nz

A Call For Help

Posted on by
3

hauiti-about-ot-be-manurere-tauranga-1929-3

HAUITI – 1929

A Call For Help

I was recently contacted by John Ellingham, a kiwi now residing in country Western Australia. Johns inquiry centered on two little ships (Iranui & Hauiti) that were built in Auckland in the early 1900’s. Johns interest is mainly on Hauiti, because of a family link. This Grand father Alf Hassall was a shareholder in this vessel with Faulkners and was killed aboard her off Whakatane in 1931.
John has researched as many avenues as he can but I would like the gaps filled.
Any photos of the Hauiti / Manurere / Morocotcha / Three Kings would be appreciated.

hauiti-about-ot-be-manurere-tauranga-1929-2

HAUITI – 1929

HAUITI / MANURERE / MOROCOTCHA / THREE KINGS

Built 1906, possibly by Logan Bros, for  either the Tolaga Bay Lightering Co., Gisborne Sheep Farmers Company or Messer’s Glover Lockwood and Holder.

Length 47.75′ x 11.75′ x 3.66′ with a 21.32 Gross Tonnage / 5.92 Reg Tonnage. Originally Powered by two Standard Frisco petrol engines each 24 BHP. Used as lighter for transporting wool bales to vessels anchored off shore. Sister ship to “Iranui”

Sold in 1929, according to reports by the Gisborne Sheep Farmer’s Company Ltd to Barley & George Falkner and Albert Edward Hassall of Tauranga -‘Mount Ferry Co’ & renamed – Manurere. Converted from cargo vessel to passenger. Only made one trip found unsuitable. Converted to (a) Seine boat. (b) Trawler depending on which report you believe. Re engined with twin Gardner Diesels.

First registered 1932 – ID 153993 – 13/1932 – 06/12/1932  Port of Auckland (IR). Registered to Esther May Hassall (John Ellingham’s Grand Mother, John’s  Grand Father was killed on board Manurere off Whakatane on 29/03/31, dragged into winch by coat tails).

Sold again in 1933 to Mrs Bertha Robinson Auckland & renamed Morocotcha. Possible engine change 03/01/1934

Sold again in 1937 to McFarlanes Fisheries  (mussel / oyster farmers ) & renamed Three Kings. Reg  AK 516    06/03/1937

Registry closed 17/05/1948 – Believed to have foundered in Firth Thames with wreck located 15/12/62. Salvaged by Bert Subritzky 16>30 December 1962. Engines salvaged, hull scrapped.

iranui

IRANUI

IRANUI

Built  1900 possibly by Logan Bros, Auckland for a Mr Glover of Tolago Bay. Delivered to Tolago Bay as deck cargo aboard “Flora” 23 October 1900. Records also show the ownership as Glover Lockwood and Holder. Later articles refer to “Iranui” being owned by the Gisborne Sheep Farmers Company. The full title of this company was Gisborne Sheep farmers Frozen meat and Mercantile Co who had a store in Tolaga Bay.

Her use was as a Wool Lighter and Towing. Mainly out from the Uawa River to larger vessels anchored off shore. She measured 42 ft O/A – 10ft beam – Draft 2ft 3 inches aft  Carried 10 – 15 tons cargo under hatches. Power came from a 10hp Union Oil engine ( Supplied by Messers Ryan & Co)

The last known reference to “Iranui” is in 1918 (Papers Past Poverty Bay Herald 6 May 1918) where it is reported that she had been slipped at Gisborne and was returning to Tolago Bay.

NOTE: This “Iranui”  is not to be confused with the vessel “Settler” wrecked at Tairua. Confusion arises via the article ex NZ Museums web site reference Kelvin engine gifted by David James Mays Mason with comment by Daniel Hicks “MV Settler was ex “Iranui ex “SS Settler“ build 1905 by C. Bailey Jnr Auckland.