Sailing - My History

This photo is in the realm of the unknowns, is it the "Waipru", but Dad does look older. A timber vessel with deck house. I had a communication from a reader who believes that the chap on the left is her Dad, Jack "Hutch" Hutchinon, who was Dad's mate in the War.

"Kathleen Gillett"

Mum always told me that this was a photo of a famous yacht that Dad had encountered on his trips, and probably crossed paths with her during the "Wakaya" trip, though that is not recorded in his logs. We thought the yacht was named the "Katherine" sailed by Mr. Jack Earl and crew; one of the first to sail from New Zealand, but more likely Australia, to the islands. I think the previous photo shows Dad with the crew of the "Katherine" although we are not sure as Dad's mate from the War, Hutch is sitting in the cockpit. Do readers have any information? Newsflash, mystery solved, and please see the story "New Year's cruise to the Hawkesbury". Yacht is "Kathleen Gillett" and she is berthed at the Sydney Maritime Museum. An identical photgraph is posted dockside. This is a "double ender" which with its canoe stern was all the rage for ocean cruising in those days; and even was brought into the present with the popular Valiant 40 design. The yacht has been restored. This process has been somewhat controversial as important and valuable parts of the yacht have been removed, and the writer directs the reader to comment in the Australian soft cover publication "Afloat". The signatures of the crew are plainly seen. There is quite a history both of the yacht and its crew now published on the Net as the yacht is now an Australian icon.

Stacked out on the wind.

"Daniel Boone"

Mullet Boat, V 10. Mr. Don Milne of New Zealand emailed me with ID. This is an 18 foot Mullety named "Daniel Boone" owned then by Mr. R. J. Hayson of 56 Ardmore Road, Herne Bay, Auckland. I am not sure of Dad's involvement.

Early days on the mullety.

I think this is the "Haerere" with Dad at the helm, probably early 1950s. The boom length suggests she is gaff rigged, and note running back stays. Rigged as a cutter.

Dad sailing the "Haerere". Note warp on cabin top, as foredeck space may have been limited; Dad liked to have plenty of warp. Did Mum take the picture?

"May"

Dad's friend Jim Aiken owned this 22 ft yacht, the "May" and Dad borrowed it on a number of occasions. I think this is Mum and Dad, but will get some software to help me see the faces better. These were the happy days of my parents courtship. It looks as though they are well reefed down on a fine day. I think this is an example of a Wollacott design with short ends, and built for New Zealand conditions. As a tiny tot I was to cruise on the May, and understand that my play pen was the forward cabin; you can see where I could pop my head up, and eat oysters...I'm told I learned the word "more" doing this. I think this photo is taken at the entrance to Islington Bay, Rangitoto long a favourite anchorage. Mum and Dad never quite explained why this was the case.

"May"

The "May" underway in the Hauraki Gulf, early 1950s. Here she has the full main, and probably her owner the late Jim Aitken at the helm. Roller further headsails had not been invented at that time.

Dad's dream yacht, the Columbia 50, "Yellowbird". A beautiful sloop, designed by William Tripp; here at the St. Francis Yacht Club, early 1970s.

Lapworth design Cal Cruising 46 in Honolulu.

Me, between "Kochab II", the Alan Buchanan design, which Dad regarded as an ideal ocean cruising yacht; and, behind, the Rhodes design, "Val Kay" a steel motorsailer, about 53 ft., both. "Kochab II" already showing rusting fastenings, a terminal disease for a magnificent yacht. This vessel started life in the UK as the "Starfire of Kent" and is written up in one of Dr. Arthur Beiser's books, with some excellent photos. She was sailed to NZ by Dr. Franklen-Evans in the early 1970s. He named his yachts 'Kochab".

Mr. John Guzzwell built this goodly ship and named her the "Treasure"; I think a Laurent-Giles design, written up in "The Proper Yacht". Note storage for two dinghys on the foredeck; twin forestays, and no roller furling gear.

This yacht caught me eye, name unknown, but probably an early Sparkman and Stephens. Lovely lines.

The "Magga Dan" was one of the first vessels to carry passengers from Bluff to Antarctica.

Sailing back from Kawau, "Donata Polo" built by Mr. Tony Armit, who is a famous Kiwi yachtsman who sailed his Wollacott "Marco Polo" ketch all over the Pacific. This, his second boat contains all his thinking about the ideal ocean cruising yacht, about 42 ft, and probably a yawl. Note deckhouse.

We happened to be in Invercargill when Mr. (later, Sir) Alec Rose called in on his circumnavigation in the "Lively Lady".

Mr. Wilf and Mrs. Olive Buckland's "Marco Polo", 40 ft motorsailer.

"Marco Polo" in Wellington Harbour.

A stout ship, designed for the heavy North Sea with bluff bows.

Happy Days, on the P class, near Wellington.

There was always room for a friend aboard a P class.

Dad in the bows making sure everything was ship-shape. Probably off Motutapu Island.

I was about 22; sailing with Mum and Dad on a 22 ft sloop to the Barrier; you can see Rangitoto Island in the background.

In Bon Accord Harbour, Kawau Island, aboard the little sloop, and well covered up for sun protection.