NEW OWNER FOR ALERT

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28824, 19 February 1959, Page 14

NEW OWNER FOR ALERT

Yacht Purchased By Sir Ernest Davis

“The Press" Special Service

AUCKLAND, February 18. Sir Ernest Davis, the veteran Auckland yachtsman, has given himself a birthday present of a 72-foot twin-screw ocean-going diesel yacht. It was Sir Ernest's 87th birthday yesterday. He sold his sailing yacht, Imatra, three months ago after more than 70 years of sailing. During that time he owned other well-known yachts, including the Matangi, Viking and Moerewa.

The new yacht, the Alert, which is fitted with a shlp-to-shore telephone and echo-sounding and direction-finding equipment, is capable of a speed of 13 knots. It was bought by Sir Ernest Davis from Mr A. Black, managing director of Austin Motors, Dunedin. It is well known in the South Island and has been to Australia and the Chatham Islands. It also went many times to Milford Sound and has carried scientific expeditions. Sir Ernest Davis, who is as keen as ever on the sea, was asked if he intended going overseas in his yacht. “I might have done so 60 years ago,” he said, “but the time has passed. I shall be content with the north coast of New Zealand.”