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Ilex
Ilex
Vessel Name:Ilex
Builder:Arch Logan
Designer:Logan
Place built:Auckland
Year built:1903
Year lost:1962
LOA:51
Owners:Norman Thomas (Wellington, 19?? - 1946); E. H. Northcroft (Auckland 1927-1932-??); H. R. Bloomfield (Auckland, ??-1927); Stevenson and Ingram (Auckland, 19??-1918-1920-??); Joseph Cochrane Macky (Auckland, 1908-1915); Captain Walter Stanhope (Auckland, 1903-1908)

Notes:In 1911 J. Macky altered her rig from a yawl to a cutter. He raced her successfully on the Waitemata Harbour. E. H. Northcroft changed her back to a yawl rig [when did he own her? she was a yawl in 1919]. Bought by Norman Thomas in 1944, she completed South Island circumnavigation in Feb-Mar 1946. Sailed to Sydney, Australia in Dec 1946 to compete in Sydney to Hobart Yacht race. She was the first NZ-based boat to compete the race. Roydon Thomas, at 13, was the youngest competitor. Delivered to Tongan owners in Oct 1948. Wrecked on Minerva Reef southwest of Tongatapu on 7 July 1962.
Photo source:David Thomas