YACHT VIKING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22585, 25 November 1936, Page 10

YACHT VIKING

USE IN THE NAVY TRAINING SEAMEN BOYJI _ * j AUTHORITIES' APPRECIATION The Viking, one of Auckland's largest and best known yachts, which was presen ted by the Mayor of Auckland, M r> Ernest Davis, to the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, i s noff providing splendid training facilities fo r seamen boys from H.M.S. Philomel, The yacht, manned by young trainee., is seen regularly under sail, and her mooring place is 'close to the floating target, where her graceful lines can seen from passing ferry boats.

The naval authorities speak in high appreciation of the value of the Viking as a training yacht. "She is a inagnifi. cent asset to us." said LieutenantCommander J. T. Lean yesterday. "]} v her particular rig, she affords splendid facilities for good training in seamanship." He added that on two days each week eight seamen boys undertook a cruise in the Viking, the length.of the cruise depending on the weather. Already 32 trainees had enjoyed the advantage of such cririses, and by the end of the season, when the yacht would be laid up, 70 boys would have been under sail.

The yacht was under sail under her new command for the first time on November 2, and, with her trim lines shown to good effect by her fresh paint she was the subject of much admiration. She made a pretty picture last Sunday afternoon, when returning from Matiatia with a party of Royal Naval Volunteer officers on board. One of the officers stated yesterday that he was particularlv impressed with the opportunities the Viking provided for a real training in seamanship for young naval men.

Built by Charles Bailey and Son, Limited, to the order of the Bloomfield brothers, of Judge's Bay, the Viking was launched in November, 1893. With a length of 67ft., beam 12ft., and draught 9ft., she rates as one of Auckland's largest yachts. Although originally rigged and raced as a cutter, the Viking was latterly sailed as a yawl.