WAINUI (II)
There as been a lot of activity in comments section of ww in regard to Wainui. The original story I posted on her back in June 2013 under the headline ‘Getting Hooked’ told the tale of her current owner Phil Parks & how he came to own the classic wooden launch Wainui. Its a good story & can be viewed at the link below –
Last Friday the post popped up again & we uncovered some insight into her past & some wonderful details & photos from Harold Kidd. Phil Parks advised that the restoration project was now scheduled to start in late 2014, aside from other things in life getting in the way, there was a wee oops that saw Wainui sink at her mooring.
Firstly a brief history of WAINUI II
- Built by Joe Slattery c1924 for E.O. Ward.
- Wrecked on Rangitoto February 1936 and badly damaged.
- Ward sold to Val Maxwell, teacher at King’s College, as a wreck. Maxwell rebuilds probably close to present configuration.
- Maxwell sells 1939.
- Later owners include Sandy Searle 1967-72, then Dr. Ranginui Walker 1972, gap of 3 years then John Hobden 1977-81, Stan Bayer 1981-84, N Amos 1984-7, Ken Meyer 1987-90.
- Capt. John Harrison (ex-skipper of HMNZS TUI), Harold has fond memories of the TUI wardroom, bought her at Sandspit 1990 in poor condition with 40hp Ford Ebro. Orams rebuilt her substantially 1991-2. John renamed her Tilikum and kept her at Parua Bay then sold shortly after and went back to sail.
Photo Gallery of WAINUI II
# 2507 was taken in 1928 alongside the Bayswater Wharf. Note the steam trams.
# 2505 shows her being launched for the season from Bailey & Lowe’s. This pic was used in the Herald on 24/10/30. The yacht on the right is almost certainly Ladye Wilma on Heartseae’s cradle.
# 2506 shows her on the rocks at Rangitoto in February 1936 (same image as used in the header)
- #2506
# 2509 she’s at Lees at Sandpit in April 1990 when John Harrison bought her, looking fine but seriously rotten.
# 2508 at Orams in Whangarei under major reconstruction in April 1991.
# NZ Herald 4 Feb 1936 (Papers Past) – high on the rocks at Rangitoto. The 6 occupants were washed out of the cockpit, with 2 females being injured.
- NZH PP 04/02/36
# NZ Herald 6 Feb 1936 (Papers Past) – showing the extensive damage she sustained.
# Current Photo 2013 (low res image)

