PLEASURE SCHOONER AT AUCKLAND

Southland Times, Issue 23740, 11 February 1939, Page 6

PLEASURE SCHOONER AT AUCKLAND

VISIT TO FIORDLAND IN ITINERARY (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 10. Thirty-seven days out from San Pedro, the Californian auxiliary schooner Navigator arrived this morning. Owned by Mr G. Harton Singer, jun., a prominent Pittsburg banker, the 48-ton vessel is under the command of Captain Fred Klebingat, well-known in New Zealand as master of Zane Grey’s schooner Fisherman, which visited New Zealand in 1926.

Captain Klebingat married an Auckland girl, Phyllis Reid, who now lives in California. They have a seven-year-old son.

The long voyage from San Pedro by way of Danger Island and Pago Pago was marred by only four days’ bad weather—two days off the American coast and two days off the New Zealand coast. On each occasion the vessel was hove to and rode the storm well. During a heavy sea in the early part of the voyage the main boom snapped and a new one is being sent by the Monterey, due next week, in which the Navigator’s owner is also arriving. The intention of the party is to spend two months in New Zealand fishing on various grounds and visiting the southern Sounds. In addition to Captain Kleblingat, the schooner had a crew of four, The cook fell ill on the trip and was put ashore at Pago Pago but will rejoin the schooner later.