EARLY AUCKLAND YACHTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 228, 26 September 1930, Page 14

EARLY AUCKLAND YACHTS.

Viking, always a keen competitor, of Volunteer, was built in 1593 for the late J. L. R. Bloomfield and his brother. She is 64ft overall, 47ft waterline, 12ft beam and 9ft Bin in draught. Viking raced for may years, as well as doing a lot of cruising, and was later chartered by Lord Islington, afterwards being bought by her present owner, Mr. Ernest Davis. Waitangi was built in 1894 by the late Robert Logan, for a syndicate of Wellington yachtsmen. She is 57ft 7in overall, 38ft waterline, lift beam and 9ft Gin draught. Waitangi was purchased by Messrs. J. W. Frater, Alec Burt and J. B. Johnston, and now ha« an auxiliary engino installed, which has proved a big help when cruising in light weather or when entering or leaving harbour. Rainbow was built in 1898 for Mr. A. T. Pittar, of Auckland. She is 50ft lOin overall, 34ft Cin waterline, Bft 9in beam and 6ft 9in draught. Rainbow was shipped to Sydney in January, 1900, and she won the intercolonial yacht race, beating White Wings and Bona. She next sailed a dead-heat with Bona (built by C. Bailey) in the Royal Sydney Yacht Sqnadron's race. Rainbow next beat White Wings in a private match, best two out of three. She also started in the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club's race, when a merry mix-up occurred at the start, Rainbow losing her bowsprit and retiring. After this Rainbow went to Wellington and finally back to Auckland, where she was owned by Mr. Percy Dufaur and the late Mr. Alf. Seccombe. Mr. Arch. Buchanan, one of our oldest yachting men and still actively engaged in the sport, bought Rainbow about 1911 and he has owned her ever since. She will bo in commission again in the coming season.