Yachting and Motor Boats of the Dominion

Progress, Volume VII, Issue 2, 1 December 1911, Page 928

Yachting and Motor Boats of the Dominion

Oscar Freyberg

long. This is a sensible little vessel, and is being faithfully constructed of good material.

“And then music arose with its voluptuous swell ’ ’ —

The scene was a very beautiful one. Twisting, turning, and circling round us were the white sails of the Port Nicholson Yacht Club. From underneath the awning erected on the flagship, the s.s. “Tutanekai,” we sat at our ease and gazed upon this animated vision. Behind us a band played, whilst over all flew the burgee of the club. It was a beautiful day, wind moderate N.W., and Captain Post had placed his ship, the “Tutanekai,” at the disposal of the yachtsmen, and he was ably assisted by Mr. Marsh, the chief steward, and his staff. Anything that these gentlemen could do to make matters run smoothly, they did, and on behalf of all present I once more thank them. At 3 p.m, the tugboat, s.s. “Muritai,” left the end of the Clyde Quay wharf for a jaunt round the harbour, with a fair number of passengers on board, and returned at 4 p.m., landing her complement in good order and condition. Tea was served below, in the comfortable saloon, albeit there were so many callers that three or four relays were necessary. The worthy steward might well have been dismayed at such a task presented to him, but he was not; it seemed to tickle him to death. About 4 p.m., or shortly after the Commodore, C. J. Ward, Esq., stepped on board, with the salt sea brine still hanging to his rigging, and in a few well-chosen words declared the season open, amidst the roar of an impatient cannon and the applause of the spectators. The fair sex were present in welcome numbers. Several old yachtsmen were to be seen pacing the quarter deck of the “Tutanekai” mingling with the younger yachtsmen, avlio came aboard with their Commodore. I noticed members of the . crews of the “Siren,” “Ethel,” “Nancy Stair,” “Rawene,” “Wairere,” “Ngaira,” “Tangaroa,” “Windward,” “Waitangi,” and other well-known boats, some of them being represented by fair sailors also. As for the yachts, it would be hard to pick and choose where all looked so well, but the “Waitangi,” with her shining yellow decks and graceful black sides, was very prominent. Per contra the “White Heather,” a study in white, formed a pleasing contrast. The “Nancy Stair” circled about, looking like a graceful white full, with her new sails. That smart little craft, the “Tangaroa,” also delighted the spectators, Avith her saucy little ways, Avhilst several ladies rose in their anxiety as the “Windward” charged toAvards us. I think they feared for the safety of the iron plates of tne flagsnip, but she had whisked round and Avas off on the other tack in a few seconds, leaving us all breathless for the moment; really she is so powerful that boat, she looked just like some vengeful taniAvha bent on our destruction, and frightened us so much that Ave had to leave the deck immediately and drink

two cups of tea straight off to recover our equilibrium.

“BOAT ’AEBOUE BILL.” # Messrs. Harvey & Lang, of Customs St. West. Auckland, have .just launched a Hue cruising launch to the order of Messrs. Gunson & Buttle, of Auckland. She is 35ft. long over all and Bft. beam. Above the water-line she is painted with white Bon Accord enamel, while the combings of cabin and cockpit are grained in imitation teak, as is the cockpit interior. The name “Taranui,” the Maori equivalent for sea bird, is in gold letters on a sunken scroll carved in a dark green headboard on either bow.

The main cabin, which is very roomy, is lift, in length, and provides excellent seating and sleeping accommodation. Ventilation is provided by two opening ports and a handsome skylight of teak. The engine room, as is usual nowadays, is forward, and contains the 16 h.p. engine. Ventilation is obtained by four brass opening ports and a hatch, giving easy access to and from the forward deck. This compartment being very roomy, two bunks forward of the engine are provided. The cabin is painted with white Bon Accord and upholstered in Rexine leather, the floor of both engine room and cabin being covered with linoleum. She is installed throughout with electric light. There are four lights in the main cabin, two in the engine room, one portable in cockpit, and side and masthead lights. She has a mast and sail, and is altogether a completely equipped and satisfactory seagoing cruiser.

Harvey & Lang have on the stocks a 38ft. working launch for Mr. J. 11. Faulkner, of Tauranga. She is to be engined with a 16 h.p. Standard, and will be in many respects similar to the popular “All Black.” constructed some time ago by these builders. The engine room is forward, under a house giving 6ft. headroom, where there are sleeping and cooking arrangements for the crew, as well as the usual engine-room appointments. Aft of this is the control house, with glass shutters to open or close, to protect the man in charge in bad weather. Aft again for 19ft. is passenger accommodation seating 20 persons under a standing roof with open sides, which, however, have canvas weather cloths which can be dropped in bad weather, converting the passenger accommodation into a cosy saloon with 6ft. headroom. She will lie ready for launching lief ore Christmas, and will proceed under her own power to Tauranga.

This firm have also on the stocks a fine trunk cabin cruiser to the order of Mr. R. Watson, of Waiheke. She is 28ft. x 7ft. Sin. x 2ft., and Avill be engined Avith a single cylinder V/> h.p. Regal. Her accommodation shoAvs an engine room forward, Avith cooking arrangements, cabin 9ft. long, upholstered in leather. Headroom is sft. The cockpit is 7ft.

Another craft this firm have under construction is a 25-footer, for a resident of Russell, from the board of Mr. W. Sinton, of Sinton & Fisher. She is only just in frame, and as I shall be showing a plan of her, with a description, later on, there is not much to be said about her now, except that she is to be engined with a 5 h.p. double cylinder Niagara, for which Messrs. Sinton & Fisher are sole N.Z. agents.

Amongst their larger work Harvey & Lang have supplied a 12ft. pleasure boat to the West End Rowing Club, and three similar boats for Lake Takapuna