Search for Classic Vessels

This is a growing database of classic vessels (pre 1940) with a significant connection to the region. Information comes from primary sources (mostly the Evening Post and NZ Yachtsman), and secondary sources (the more reliable being the writings of Harold Kidd, Robin Elliott and David Pardon). Where sources conflict, primary sources are generally given precedence. Bruce Askew's first notes on the database can be viewed here.

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Lizzie

Lizzie

Vessel Name   Lizzie
Builder   Edwin Bailey
Place built   Wellington
Year built   1909
Construction   Carvel kauri on birch
LOA   22'
LWL   19'
Beam   7' 6"
Rig   Gaff sloop
Displacement   1000 kg
Owners   Wellington Classic Yacht Trust (2010- ); Graeme and Annette Robertson (Lyttelton, 1977-1986, Auckland, 1986-19??); Bernie Wilson (Lyttelton, 1975-1977); Richard Johnstone (Lyttelton, 1968-1975); Owen Tracy Gough (Lyttelton, 1968); Harry Collett (Lyttelton, 1949-19??);  Cliff Heron (Lyttelton, 1937-1949) V. J. M. Boulton (Wellington, 1927-??); R. L. Button and W. W. Waddilove (Wellington, ca 1922-1927); Ian Tringham (Wellington, 1920-ca 1922); Charlie Neal (Wellington, 1912-1920); C J Ward (Wellington, 1909-1912)
Notes   Built for C J Ward of Wellington. Topsides raised 18" by Cliff Heron in 1937/8. Restored to original configuration by the Wellington Classic Yacht Trust 2010-2012.

Photos: Ward family collection
Photos: Known as Linnet
Photos: Tringham family collection
Lines drawn by Robin Aitken
Bruce Askew's initial restoration report
Articles:
An article by Gavin Pascoe
The first article below is contemporary and factual. The second article makes a lot of erroneous assumptions about her early years.
NZ Yachtsman 02 Nov. 1912
Traditional boats June 1987
Follow her restoration on facebook
Photo source   NZ Yachtsman 02 November 1912
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Miru

Miru

Vessel Name   Miru
Builder   Robert Logan Sr
Designer   William Fife
Place built   Auckland
Year built   1894/5
Construction   two skins carvel
LOA   25
LWL   16
Beam   5, 6
Rig   Lug sloop
Class   1/2 Rater
Owners   Alan Bailey (Wellington, 1931-??); M. Hall (Wellington, 1929-19??) ; R. Prince (Wellington, 1926-1929); Mr "Jock" Breen (Wellington, ??-1924-1926); E. Hannan (Wellington, ??-1915-??) Alexander Turnbull, Wellington (1895-?)
Notes   Designed by W. Fife. Fin and bulb keel. Renamed "Essex" 1911-1913 ; Renamed "May" 1915-before 1924. Sister to Ruru. Converted to keeler ca 1912.
View contemporary article on her construction
Construction plan (copyright Fairlie yachts)
Sail plan (copyright Fairlie yachts)
Photo source   Alexander Turnbull Library
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Rona

Rona

Vessel Name   Rona
Year built   1893
Rig   Gaff cutter
Photo source   Alexander Turnbull Library
LWL   30
Notes   1 ton lead added to external ballast shortly after arrival to Wellington. Re painted black 1911. Has been through various configurations. Raised cabin built and converted to bermuda sloop rig ca1950s. Restored to original configuration during the 1980s and 90s. G. F. Bothamley crewed in 1894.
Builder   Robert Logan Sr
Class   5 Rater
LOA   44
Beam   7,9
Owners   Rona Preservation Trust (Wellington 2007-), John Palmer (1982-2007); Albert LeSueur (Wellington, 1942-1959);  Harry Hardham and Huia Robert Prince (Wellington, 1929-1936) ; A. Hailey (Wellington, 1927-1929) ; J. R. McLean (Wellington, 1920-1925) ; A. J Petherick (Wellington, 1908-1919/20) ;  G. B. Richardson (Picton, 19??-1908) ;  Dr. Claridge (Picton, 1900-19??) ;  Alexander Turnbull (Wellington 1893-ca.1900)
Place built   Auckland
Construction   Triple-planked kauri
Designer   G. L. Watson
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Mawhiti

Mawhiti

Vessel Name   Mawhiti
Builder   William Moore; M. Beck; A. Penty
Designer   E. M. Silk and William Moore (Wellington)
Place built   Wellington
Year built   1898
Construction   Double-planked on bronze straps
LOA   35
Beam   8,6
Rig   Gaff cutter
Displacement   2 3/4 ton
Class   2 1/2 Rater
Owners  

William Moore (Wellington, 1898-1906); Berkeley Clarke (Sydney, 1906-1913); William Charles Boesser (Sydney, 1913-1926) George and Edith Huddleston (Sydney, 1926-1943); Harry Stewart Elderfield (Sydney, 1944-1947); Charles Roy Dillaway (Sydney, 1947-48); Richard Edward Sonners (Sydney, 1948-53);  Fred Parker 1961); David Ferguson and Rich Poole (Sydney, 1970-1977).
Notes   Painted white to differentiate her from near sister Kotiri, which was painted black. Went to Sydeny 1906. Converted to bermuda rig 1936. Last recorded existence in 1977.

Read log of a cruise made in 1901-2
Photo source   Malcolm Moore
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Xarifa

Xarifa

Vessel Name   Xarifa
Builder   Henry Berg
Place built   Wellington
Year built   1874
LOA   41, 2
Beam   10, 9
Rig   Gaff cutter
Displacement   18 ton
Owners   G. B. Richardson (Blenheim, 1894-1900); G. H. Jackson (Wellington, 189?-1893-1894); J. A. Persson and party (Wellington, 1891-??); E. C. Mills and Co. (187?-1891) G Firman (1874-?)
Notes   Launched in August, the build took 14 weeks. Hull lined with concrete. Reputed to be the first vessel built in Wellington with external lead ballast. E. C. Mills Jr,  campaigned her successfully in Wellington, Nelson and Lyttleton during the 1870s and 1880s. Disappeared while at anchor in the Marlborough Sounds June 1900.
Photo source   Alexander Turnbull Library
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Garibaldi

Vessel Name   Garibaldi
Builder   Henry Berg
Place built   Wellington
Year built   1874
Displacement   3 ton
Class   Centreboarder
Owners   J. C. Taylor (Wellington, 18??-1885-18??); Pounceby (Wellington, 1875-18??); George Thomas (Wellington, 18??-1875); Lennox (1870s-?)
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Te Aroha

Te Aroha

Vessel Name   Te Aroha
Builder   R. G. Millman
Place built   Wellington
Year built   ca. 1898-1900
Year lost   1905
LOA   24
Beam   7
Rig   Gaff cutter
Owners   P. N. Wilson (Wellington, ??-1904-1905) ; R. G. Millman (Wellington, 1898-??)
Notes   Also known as Tearoa. Went ashore Pencarrow 1905 with loss of three lives.
View image gallery
Photo source   The Rip
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Rawene

Rawene

Vessel Name   Rawene
Builder   R. G. Millman
Place built   Roseneath, Wellington
Year built   1909
Year lost   23 January 1948
LOA   22
Beam   7
Rig   Gaff yawl
Owners   Brian Barnett (Wellington, ??-1948); Hedges (Wellington, 1939-??):Charles Lindsay (Wellington, 1936/7-38-??); Rawene syndicate (Wellington, 19??-1931-1936/7); Nigel Blair (Wellington, 1916-1928); Kiernan (Wellington, ??-1911-1916); Smith and Nathan (Wellington, 1909-??); R. G. Millman (1909)
Notes   Converted to cutter rig 1913. Abandoned and left to founder after losing sails and boom during a gale off Terawhiti. Crew of three safely recovered by the Matangi.
Nigel Blair hared ownership at various times with his father David K Blair, and Bob Murie.
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Photo source   Terry Ward
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Windward

Windward

Vessel Name   Windward
Builder   R. G. Millman
Place built   Wellington
Year built   1911
Year lost   1931
LOA   28
Beam   8, 6
Rig   Yawl
Displacement   6.5 ton
Owners   T. P. Rollings (Wellington, 19??-1931); G. Nicholson (Wellington, 1923, 1925);  (Wellington, ??); J. Webb (Wellington, ca 1917-1920 -??); F. Cooke (Wellington, 1913-ca1915) R. G. Millman and F. Cooke (Wellington, 1911-1913)
Notes   Draft 5,9. Disappeared with all hands on return trip from Chatham Islands, January 1931.

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Photo source   Rob Irwin IV
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