THE ELIZA FIRTH

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 34, 9 February 1935, Page 26

THE ELIZA FIRTH

.;The'trim;:';little /brigantine' :Eliza Firth,;picturedvby Mr. A.H." Messenger on this page, ■ was-,a.;\vell-kri<3wn , and regular visitor "to Wellington about the years 1894 to-.1900. : Her'principal i trade: was between- Kaipara,: Welling* | tbn^v:aHdv'Ly^teltdr^::-.l)rihgihg- -timber

south and taking produce on her return voyage.

She was beautifully rigged and well cared for, and while in port always kept her yards nicely squared. Each bunt cloth had a star painted in red and black upon it. With her diminutive royal yard on the fore and long main boom aft she carried quite a rakish appearance.. In common with the brigantine Aratapu which was in the same trade at this period, she used to sail right up to her berth, running into the < wind -when close alongside while a heaving line was tossed to the .wharf.

With kauri planking and sawn timber piled to the top of her bulwarks and a lifeline lashed between fore and main rigging, she would come bowling up.the harbour. carrying double topsails, staysails, jibs, and mainsail to a strong gale and always drew a goodly crowd Ho the breastwork to watch her berth.)

This pretty -little craft was afterwards cut down to topsail-schooner rig which, to the eye of the old-time seafarer, spoilt her trim appearance. She "made some fast passages in the old days and was considered an excellent sea% boat. The Eliza Firth was Built in Auckland-of/kauri and was a fine advertisement ,for the skill and good -workmanship' of New Zealand shipwrights. • .. •