REWA SAILS AGAIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1010, 28 June 1930, Page 5

REWA SAILS AGAIN

TOWED out at midnight ON LAST VOYAGE WILL WANDER NO MORE This morning the upper harbour looked strangely deserted. The Rewa had gone. .At, midnight ,ho slipped out of the harfcour in the *ake the tug Te Awhina. For eight years the Resra has swung on the tide oft Northcote. This mommg she rests on a sand-bank on Moturekareka Island, ttear Kawau. ' n is the grave of a gallant old ressel. Until time /and tide eventually crumble her bulk, she will act os a breakwater aiwri help to form a harbour on the island. Just as the chv/k in the Ferrv Buildings chimed midnight, the Rewa started on her fast voyage. Few watched the old sailing ship on her midnight journey, down the harbour and out into the* open sea. It was a voyage worthy of a picturesque ceremony, but a frosty winter night hoes not lend itself to such pageantry. Once more the Rewa’s lights threw reflections on the water; tor a few hours her former master. Captain R. Kennedy, took command of the vessel lie had known so well. But there was little romance in the voyage —only memories of the largest British sailing ship afloat and of many a gallant trip through calm and stormy seas. The stamp of boots echoed dismally on her decks again, and through tine deserted cabins. They have known only the light tread of the watchman lor the last eight years. Against a shy in which a few stars twinkled, the slender spires of the masts stood out stark and straight. LIGHTS HUNG OUT Just ou midnight the riding light was lowered from the foremast. The stern light was hung out and 'the red and green port and starboard lights made their appearance for the last time. But for the presence of the Harbour Board’s tug. the f flew a might have been setting out on some mysterious voyage on the seifcn seas. Quickly-given orders, however, dispelled the illusion, and the Rewa was fastened to the tug. The anchor was slipped and buoyed ready for removal at some future date. It would have beeu hopeless to attempt to raise the three tons of anchor which have been embedded in the mud for eight years and the 90 fathoms of chain. These will be removed by the Harbour Board's lifting crane. Then the journey began. Soon the Rewa was rising and falling again to the ocean sv»ell, creaking and straining at the ropes which bound her to the fussy little tug. A few signalmen and watchmen were the only spectators of a last, pathetic voyage. Soon after seven o’clock this morn mg the old vessel was beached at Moturekareka. an island between Kawau and the mainland, which is owned by Mr. Charles Hanson, who bought the Rewa. Captain A. Davies. Marine Department, and Captain Kennedy watched the proceedings. Charges of gelignite were fired in the hull below the water-line and the old vessel rested ou the sand. There she will remain, almost forgotten, while waves break over her and seabirds use her as a sanctuary and nest-ing-place. FITTINGS REMAIN ABOARD Little of the fittings have been removed from the Rewa. Most of her spars, the winches, hatches, rails, the capstan on the poop and her bell, are still intact. Her 75 sails are in an excellent state of preservation These, in her sailing days, were very costly. The big low'er sails cost about £350 and the others anything from £ICO to £3OO. Four years ago they were sent to England to be sold but they failed to find a buyer in these days of steam. The mottled panelling in the ofli cers' dining saloon is both beautiful and valuable and will probably be removed for some better purpose by Mr Hanson. The Rewa, once the Alice A. Leigh, bad a famous history. From her last resting place beyond the gulf she will probably inspire sentimental writers to revive her exploits from time to time.