FIFTY YEARS' SAILING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 260, 2 November 1935, Page 25

FIFTY YEARS' SAILING.

MR. ERNEST DAVIS' RECORD. FROM 14-FOOTER TO MOREWA. It falls to the lot of few men to go yachting on the Waitemata for over 50 .vein's and to he still actively engaged in the sport. Mr. Ernest Davis lias this record. There are older yachtsmen and others interested in the sport, such as Captain William Koss or Mr. Tom Kilfoyle, but they have long since retired from active participation in sailing their own craft on the "sparkling water," which the Maoris called the Waitemata. ' Fifty-one years ago Captain Ross took a party for a cruise in his schooner Olive. There was a fresh breeze ami going down harbour a young lad in the party who had been standing near the skipper asked if he might "have a steer." "What do you know about steering, young man?" said Captain Koss. "I have a 14-footer of m.V own and sometimes I go out in the Maratea. I steered her nearly all the way to Kawau once,'' was the reply.

'".Veil, let's see what you can do," said the captain, as he rather doubtfully handed over the schooner's wheel. The young skipper, who was Master Ernest Davis, aged 14, made such a good hand at steering the schooner that Captain Ross allowed him to sail her most of the way to Kawau. The young man, it turned out, knew the entrance to Hon Accord, Kawau, bettor than Captain Koss did, and his knowledge proved very useful. From that time onwards a friendship has existed between them, hound together by a mutual love of the sea and its ways. One became a successful Island trader, sailing his own vessels across the uncharted Pacific without a single mishap. The other grew up witli the city and is now Its Mayor, and his business activities are numerous.

Mr.- Davis enjoys notlilng better than a cruise in liis own yacht with a good crew around the ITaurakiiUulf and further afield when time permits. With this inborn love of sailing he is naturally looking forward to a cruise in the Morewa, which he now owns.

Early Cruising. Mr. Davis had n small sailing boat many years ago in which he sailed around Mechanics' Bay and the Wynyard pier. Next he joined the crew of the .'lO-foot keel yacht Malua, sailing for several seasons in her. Later he joined the late Mr. Tom Henderson in his yacht Rita (Maori lor Demon). Kita took her crew to many of the Northern ports, then visited for the first time by Auckland yachtsmen. After this, Mr. Davis had a season in the Maratea, owned by the late Mr. Benjamin and next season he purchased this yacht. When Mr. Davis sold the Maratea to Wellington he spent a lew seasons in the Volunteer, which Mr. Tom Henderson purchased in Sydney to race against Mr. J. 1,. K. Bloom field's new yacht the Viking. Mr. Davis next owned the Matangi, a good old-timer, slow but sure, which was built for the late Mr. C. B. Stone by the late Mr. Kobert Dogon, sen.,

and owned for many years by the late Mr. John Wiseman. .Selling the Matangi to Messrs. White and Fuller, of Wellington, Mr. Davis purchased the Vikioa. just 25 years ago this mouth. In this comfortable craft, then our largest yacht. Mr. Davis raced and cruised almost continually. He still has a great affection for her, so much so that it is doubtful if he could be persuaded to part with her.

A fortnight ago the 80-ton schooneryacht Morewa was offered to Mr. Davis, who accepted her subject to Inspection and other matters being in order. Captains M. I'ierotto and H. J. Ryder went to Brisbane and concluded negotiations on his behalf, and the yacht left Brisbane on Monday week. She should arrive to-morrow morning or late to-night, as she was sighted yesterday afternoon passing Cape Maria Van Diemen.

Mr. Davis should have many years of real pleasure with his new yacht. She Is Boft overall, (i"ift on the waterline and 17ft beam, drawing about! 7ft. In spile of her new owner's deep-dyed love of sail and almost contempt of a motor-driven vessel, "Speedwell" is sure that he will find her auxiliary engines very handy to bring all hands home to time on a, calm day or for entering or leaving a crowded anchorage, and with her modern lines and rig she will still give all the old thrill of sailing.

In the meantime Viking- will remain on the slip. She was always kept In Al order and her present rig suits her better than the cutter or yawl. Friend of Sportsmen. The many friends ot Mr. Davis, who include practically every member of our sixteen yacht clubs, model yacht clubs, rowing clubs and all who take part In sport of any kind, will join in wishing Sir. Davis "Kia Ora" with Morewa. The Vising was built in November, 1803, for Messrs. .1. 1,. It. and "H. It. Bloomfield, o£ Pamell, by Mr. Chas. Bailey, sen. She won the first class race at the Anniversary Regatta in January, 1804, and repeated her success in 189u, but in 1890 Mr. Tom Henderson's big eutter-yacht Volunteer beat her. These two yachts had many a keen race. Viking was the better boat on the wind and Volunteer was better off the wind. Viking is 07ft overall, 40ft on the waterline, 12ft beam and Oft 4in draught. She was for many years, after Volunteer was sold to Suva and wrecked there, our largest pleasure yacht, until the Morewiw was built. Mr. Davis now owns both of these line craft.