YACHT’S TASMAN CROSSING

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25762, 25 March 1949, Page 9

YACHT’S TASMAN CROSSING

CHILD AMONG CREW OF WAITANGI “The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON, March 24. A six-year-old boy and his mother will be members of the crew of the veteran Auckland keel yacht Waitangi when she sails for Sydney. After extensive refitting of the yacht, which was built in 1893, Mr E. B. Chapman, a retired tea-planter of Ceylon, has decided to make the voyage across the Tasman. Further plans are indefinite. Mrs Chapman and the son Philip and three Aucklanders, Messrs D. Stewart, P. Oldham, and J. Ewers, complete the crew of the vessel. Since his arrival in New Zealand more than a year ago Mr Chapman has spent much time with the Waitangi at Russell and recently sailed her to Auckland for refitting before undertaking the Tasman voyage. The rig has been altered from cutter to ketch, and a 25 h.p. engine with a fuel tank of 50 gallons capacity has been installed. The cockpit has been made self-draining and altered so that water cannot enter below deck. The galley has been moved aft and new bunks fitted forward. The radio equipment is for receiving only. Mr Chapman joined the Royal Akarana Yacht Club soon after his arrival in New Zealand and has taken a great interest in the club and in sailing generally. On each visit to Auckland from Russell he made a point of calling upon Mr W. Ure, the club’s secretary, and the yacht will fly the club’s burgee when she sails. Both Mrs Chapman and the son have had sailing experience. . The Waitangi was designed and built by Mr Robert Logan and is 48.7 ft long, lift beam, and 9ft 3in draught. She has had a long association with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, haying carried the flags of five of its commodores, Messrs J. B. Johnston, A. Burt, J. W. and J. H. Frater, and C. S. Tewsley.