A THRILLING DRAMA OF THE OCEAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20127, 21 April 1928, Page 15 (Supplement)

A THRILLING DRAMA OF THE OCEAN

TEA CLIPPERS USED IN “WHITE WINGS. ’ ’

Lying in the harbour of San Pedro. California, dressed up and painted like two elderly Happens, are the cLpper ships Bohemia and Indiana, which were in the filming of “White Wings,” the thrilling sea film which comes to the Grand Theatre on Saturday next. They have sailed in rough waters all over the word but their last trip was on the Pacific, off Point Conception, where they were used by Rupert Julian in making the great Cecil de Mille special production.

Fifty years ago and more they were listed among the prides of the seas. They and their kind made maritime history all over the world, and carried merchandise to far-off China and every other country on the globe. Then the “tea-kettles” appeared, steam took the place of sails, and- the old clippers vanished.

A year ago, when 11 White Wings” was being planned, Cecil de Al Hie discovered these two in the possession of the Alaska packers, bought them and, a little later, had them sent {South to be reiitt-ed. The sea-scarred veteran? made the trip without mishap, the Bohemia being commanded on the voyage

by Captain W. I. Eyres, 72 years old, who was her master when she was in commission nearly half a century ago.

An inspection of the two ships disclosed- that time had dealt lightly with them. In all the years that they hive been battered about the northern coasts, fio dry rot has visited them. Their »ak timbers and planking are as sound is the day they were built. Captain Eyres declares that either of them could safely make a voyage to the Orient to-day.

However, the refitting of the old “windjammers’ 4 presented many difficulties. New masts and yand-s were needed to replace the tattered spars. Special spars had to be turned, for shipwrights do not make 44 sticks” of that type to-day. So Oregon pine now replaced the Maine pine that was used when the old-timers were launched at Bath.

New sails were needed. It was foun.d that sail-making on this scale was almost a lost art, because square-riggers are few in these modern tipies. But finally sails were procured, the masts were stepped, the yards slung and, glistening with new coats of paint, the |wo ships were made ready for their 11m trip.

The story in which they play the leading roles is of the struggle between England and America for the supremacy of the seas, and of the great race between a British and Yankee clipper from China to Boston. The story is an original by Denison Clift, a.’apted by Garrett Fort and Garnett Weston, and In the cast will be William Boyd. F.lin»r Fair, Jimmie Adams of the Christie remedy forces, and little Junior Coghlan.