Interesting Visitor From The Sea

Northern Advocate, 9 August 1938, Page 7

Interesting Visitor From The Sea

After leaving Auckland at about 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, Captain H. Jeffery’s South African yacht Land's End arrived off Whangarei Heads at 3 a.m. today and berthed at the Town Wharf about four hours later. Her tall masts make her a conspicuous object on the otherwise deserted waterfront, and the vessel has been the centre of considerable interest throughout the day. World Cruise. The Land's End is one ox the most: interesting vessels yet to visit Whangarei. Her owner-skipper. Captain Jeffery, although born at Land’s End (whence the name of the yacht), has adopted South Africa as his homeland, and, having retired from the mercantile marine service, he is now in the course of a world cruise. He has just completed a stay of about six weeks in Auckland, where he was recently married.

| “It is my first visit to New Zealand.” i he said to a “Northern Advocate” reporter who interviewed him on the decks of his trim craft, this morning. “I came out here and got married.” he added with a smile. His bride is a very keen Auckland yachtswoman. She arrived In Whangarei from the city by car last evening, and will sail with the Land’s End when' the vessel leaves Whangarei in the course of a day or two for Russell and the Bay of Islands. Mrs Jeffery will disembark at Russell and return to Auckland to await her husband’s return from Tonga early in the summer. “Busman’s Holiday.” Although he describes his world cruise as being in the nature of a “busman's holiday,” Captain Jeffery spoke with obvious pleasure of bis voyagings since first leaving Durban in September of last year. After calling at Port Elizabeth and Capetown, the Land's End left South African shores and journeyed west to the West Indies, making calls at St. Helena, Ascension Island, Trinidad. Cui’acao, Colon, and through the Panama Canal to Balboa and thence to the Southern Pacific. Among the ports visited in the South Seas were Galopagos. Tahiti, all the islands of the Society Group, and Raratonga. before coming down to Auckland. Seeking Warmer Seas. “It's -too cold in New Zealand just now,” said Captain Jeffery with a shiver. “We’re off to Tonga to thaw out, and will come back to New Zealand in November and circumnavigate the whole of the three islands.” He spoke appreciatively of the hospitality extended to the yacht’s complement during the stay in Auckland, and said that, although they had been in Whangarei only a few hours, there were already signs of the same generosity being accorded them in this centre, a number of people having come down to the vessel and offered assistance in numerous ways. “I cannot say how much both I and the crow appreciate it,” he added. Crew of Four.

In addition tc the owner-captain, the Land’s End carries a crew of four. Of these, the latest addition is Mr Dcs. Ashton, of Whangarei, who joined up in Auckland last week, and who intends, to go right on to Durban with Captain Jeffery. Messrs G. Cadenhead and C. Wilson are South Africans who- have been with the vessel since the voyage was commenced, while Mr J. Wordon, who originated in Birmingham, joined at Tahiti in April. Two Years Voyage. After her summer cruise of New Zealand waters, the Land's End will continue her way round the globe,, first calling at Sydney and then continuing northwards through Torres Straits to the Dutch East Indies and finally down the west coast of Africa and so home, anticipating to reach Durban in September next year, two years after leaving..

Captain and crew are proud of the fact that the Land’s End is the first South-African-built yacht to voyage so far from home. Whangarei residents who accepted Captain Jeffery’s cordial invitation to step aboard and inspect the vessel were impressed with the general air of solidity and seaworthiness she exhibits, combined with the grace that only the sea can give.

Yacht Described. The yacht is of Brixham trawler design, slightly modified, and has been designed specially for deep-water cruising. Of 50 tons weight, she is 57 feet in overall length and measures 50 feet on the waterline. Her beam is 15 feet and her draught 8 feet 6 inches, which is slightly more than that of the Northern Shipping Company's Claymore, the most frequent visitor to the Town Wharf. She is ketch rigged of Bermuda design, and carries a squaresail and storm sails. For the benefit of local yachtsmen. Captain Jeffery explained that considerable effort is saved in handling the vessel in heavy weather by striking sails and setting the storm-sails. "We do not reef." he said. “The total area of the yacht's canvas is 2300 souai’e feet." "In .addition, she is fitted with a 40 h.p. Diesel auxiliary engine which gives her a speed of some six knots in calm water. Complete Fittings. "She is built for her job." remarked the owner when the reporter commented upon the completeness of her fittings. The three cabins are wellappointed and surprisingly roomy.

and space below decks, although compact and neat, is by no means cramped. There is a very complete wheel-house which is one of the most interesting features. Registered under the Royal Natal Yacht Club, the Land’s End flies the Blue Ensign of the club. Captain Jeffery is most enthusiastic as to the seaworthiness of his craft. Under storm canvas, he said, the maximum heeling of the vessel is 12 degrees under conditions where most yachts of its size would bury their lee rails under the water. •'She is a fine sea boat, and takes hcavv weather well " he concluded.