LEISURELY CRUISE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 47, Issue 2667, 8 September 1937, Page 5

LEISURELY CRUISE

THE CAP PILAR’S VOYAGE TWO PAEROA PASSENGERS PREPARATIONS FOR SAILING. After being at Auckland for nearly two months the 300-ton barquentine Cap Pilar will leave at the end of this week in continuation of her leisurely world cruise. From New Zealand she will proceed to the Tuamotu Archipelago and the Marquesas Island, in French Oceania, and, after exploring these groups, the vessel will go to San Francisco, with a probable call at Honolulu. She will make her way back to England by way of the Panama Canal, the West Indies and New York.

Two Paeroa residents are included in the crew—Mr W. B. Sutherland, who was for three years a solicitor in Mr C. N. O’Neill’s legal office, a prominent footballer and secretary of the Thames Valley Rugby Union, and a member of the Paeroa Lawn Tennis Club’s senior team; and Mr Stewart Taiboys, who attended school at Paeroa.

Rigging Altered.

Actually the barquentine rigging of the Cap Pilar will be somewhat altered when she leaves Auckland. During the past week the main topmast has been lowered and re-rigged. On Monday the mast was stepped again and a large triangular topsail was fitted. As the vessel is square-rigged on her foremast the change will give her an unusual appearance, but should offer greater stability when running with the wind well abaft the beam.

Besides re-rigging, a considerable amount of other work in preparation for the next stage of her cruise is being carried out. Alterations to the accommodation in the forecastle, and in the after saloon have been completed, and new portholes and ventilators are being fitted in order to make the vessel more suitable for tropical climates. A new lifeboat has been acquired. All the members of the crew have now returned from sight-seeing trips to various parts of New Zealand. One or two will not continue the voyage from Auckland, but the ship’s company will include seven young New Zealanders who have signed on either as far as the west coast of America or to England. The master, Captain Adrian Seligman, has hopes that a doctor will also join the vessel.