OCEAN YACHT CRUISE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22210, 10 September 1935, Page 10

OCEAN YACHT CRUISE

VISIT TO NORFOLK ISLAND DEPARTURE IN DECEMBER OVERHAUL AND NEW RIG A cruise to Norfolk Island in the schooner yacht Lady Edna in December has been planned by the owner, Mr. S. Atkinson, of Remuera. Ho will be accompanied by Messrs. D. Wellington, S. Ford and probably several other yachtsmen, it is also proposed to take part in tho transtasman yacht race in the event of the contest again being held this summer. Later tho yacht will make an extended cruise to Tahiti and Tonga. The Lady Edna was formerly known as the Mehongi, and some time ago was driven ashore on tho Ninety-Mile Beach, while on her way from Hokianga to Auckland. She was in the chargo of Mr. J. W. Wray, owner of tho yacht Ngataki, who had with him Mr. Wellington. After being ashore for several days she was refloated by Mr. S. Ford with the aid of ten bullocks, and then sailed down the coast to Onehunga. Later the boat was transported overland to Ellerslie, where she is now undergoing a very extensive overhaul by Mr. Ford. Apart from the bare hull, the vessel will be re-built and the rig changed from ketch to schooner. The centreboard has already been removed and the yacht will be fitted with a 12in. keel running tho full length of tho boat. Attached to it will bo l£ tons of iron. Tho former cargo hold has been dismantled and it is now being transformed into a 6ft. Bin. cabin, with 6ft. of headroom. Forward of this will bo another cabin some Bft. in length, which will bo iitted with wardrobes and lockers. A watertight cockpit will be provided, and under a small bridge deck a 9 horse power engine will be installed. The galley will be on the port sido aft, and will be equipped with a coal-burning stove. Provision will bo made for four 30-gallon water tanks and two 40-gallon petrol tanks. Tho foremast will be 34ft. in length and the mainmast 38ft., tho total sail area being square feet. The yacht wril have an Btt. bowsprit and will carry a jib and staysail. She is 43ft. overall, with a beam of Oft. 6in., and will- have a draught of oft. Gin. when her new keel has been added. Mr. Ford hopes to have tho yacht ready for launching by the end of October.