CLASSIC EX GAME BOAT – SAPPHIRE – A Peek Down Below
Back in August thanks to Dean Wright uncovering a launch day photo (see below) of the 48’ Oliver & Gilpin built ex game boat – SAPPHIRE, we got an insightcintohow she looked back in 1972 and we also uncovered a recent out-of-water photo.
How thanks to Ian McDonalds hawk eyes searching tme we get to have a gander below. Enjoy.
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SAPPHIRE
Back in July 2023 the Oliver and Gilpin 1972 designed and built 48’ launch – SAPPHIRE made a guest appearance on another story (LADY LYNN) as seen in the top b/w photo that came to us ex the Tauranga Museum via Dean Wright.
SAPPHIRE has recently popped up on fb and she has obviously been on the growth hormones over the years – as seen in the second photo, quite an increase in stature………… as they say no navel architect got rich on the additions 🙂
But – each to their own – nothing a tungsten tipped chainsaw couldn’t fix 😉
SAPPHIRE + LADY LYNN
Todays very impressive photo comes from the Tauranga Museum archives via Dean Wright and show the launching of the launch – Sapphire, also centre stage is Lady Lynn. Photo dated Dec 1969
Lady Lynn – 48’ built by Oliver & Gilpin – later named changed to Lady Sophia and currently Tide Song. Read and view more about her here https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/09/06/lady-lynn-lady-sophia-tide-song/
Sapphire – Don’t know anything about Sapphire but In May 2016 Dean Wright snapped the 1st photo below of Sapphire in a berth at Whangaroa Marina. And again in Jan 2017 she popped up again in a gallery of photos that Dean sent in from the Far North, 2nd photo below.
Lady Lynn > Lady Sophia > Tide Song
The photos above of the game boat Lady Lynn weighing in her catch at Russell are from Dean Wrights collection.
The 48’ Lady Lynn has had several name changes since leaving the Oliver & Gilpin shed c.1970 (b/w launching day photo below ex Brian Worthington). Launched as Lady Lynn, she then became Lady Sophia & today is named Tide Song. You can view & read more about her at this link https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/10/20/tide-song/
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