Personalities Afloat

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 112, 2 August 1927, Page 7

Personalities Afloat

Mr. A. G. LUNN a Prominent Launchman. There is little of the coast from \orth Cape to Coromandel that is not

as familiar as Queei f r Lunn. whose fondness for cruising is as wellknown as the qualities which caused him to be elected to the helm of the Auckland Chamber ot Commerce. Alfred Lunn is a n old launch-man of the Waitemata, and his best-known

craft was the launch A. G. Lunn Waiata, which he sailed for eight years in conjunction with Mr. E. P. Earle. Endowed with literary ability that is not usually associated either with the sea or the hard world of business, and an artistic eye which sees things a« the camera ought to see them, his illustrated “logs” of various cruises are a source of endless interest to himself and to those who have had the happv fortune to peruse them. At 'present a trustee of the New Zealand Power-Boat Association clubhouse funds, Mr. Lunn has been associated with t£at organisation in an official capacity for many years. Always an active member, he was commodore for three years, and was at one time president of the Auckland Yacht and Power-Boat Association, and chairman of the Auckland Anniversary Regatta Committee. His aquatic interests have also extended to the Navy League, of which he was chairman just after the war.

CRUISING IN THE SUN The Sun, Mr. R. J. Thompson’s 18footer. formerly Millieent, has had a new cabin top fitted, and lined throughout with rimu. A new rail and heavy beading has replaced the light halfround. Handy lockers have also been fitted, Mr. Thompson and his crew having in mind more cruising than racing next season.

WORK ON FOREST GOLD Forest Gold's owner is busy preparing to fit a false keel, the centre-board having being dispensed with, to allow for a more spacious cabin. Permanent bunks have been fitted, and the spars cut down. A SOUND OLD-TIMER The old-time crack E class yacht Mahoe is still good for a number of years afloat, her timbers being as sound as a bell. She has, like a lot more, been burnt off top and bottom, and is beginning to look more like her old self again. A defect was found in the keel abaft the lead; this has been cut out and replaced with a piece of totara. MOANA’S OVERHAUL The 35-foot launch Moana is undergoing an extensive overhaul inside and out, particular attention beng given to the six-cylinder Hudson engine, which has not come up to expectations since it was installed. It will be remembered that this craft had the misfortune to have two serious breakdowns in successive years on northerly cruises. The remarkable coincidence in both these breakdowns is worth noting. Returning from Russell in January, 1925, the launch was disabled off "VVhangamumu with a broken crankshaft, and was towed to Whangarei, where a new shaft was fitted. Again off Whangamunni on the return from Russell a year later, on the same day of the month, and in practically the same spot, one of the bigf,nds tfollapsed and burst the crankcase. On this occasion the engine was practically a total wreck, and had to be strapped, the boat having to be towed back to Auckland. Incidentally, the engines were different on each occasion. Naturally, Mr. Matthews and his crew have steered clear of their hoodoo locality ever since. YACHTSMEN AND MOTUIHI Plans for cruises during the .11)27-28 season will, if the Mayor, Mr. George -Saildon. has his way, include that "gem of the Hauraki Gulf,” Motuihi. Only six or seven miles from Auckland, the island, which lies between Atotutapu and Waiheke, is an ideal Rendezvous for day or week-end runs by either sail or power-boats. Referring to Motuihi at the Squadron prize night Mr. Baildon strongly advocated that the island should be handed over to the people of Auckland by the Government, which could easily find another quarantine station. In this he was supported by the chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr. “• R. Mackenzie.

“HOBSON BAY CRUISING CLUB” Mr. J. R. Johnston’s ironic reference rM “Dobson Bay Lake Cruising < lub” caused some amusement at the fc( h^ a d ron prize night on Friday. Residents of the bay, more particularly boatowners are closely watching developments regarding the ultimate fate of this extensive, if shallow, sheet , 'vater. Its conversion into a tidal lake—one of the suggestions put forward as an alternative to that of making “Auckland’s front door” look like ? very untidy back—would be particularly welcome. With such a lake, and the 290-acre boat-harbour, which is in course of construction at St. Mary’s Bay, Auckland would possess two of the finest mooring grounds for small craft in the world.

THE LATE MR. A. SAUNDERS The sudden death at the Auckland Hospital of Mr. Albert Saunders, the popular committee-man of the Richmond Cruising Club, at the age of 32, Ranie as a shock to all yachtsmen, par- \‘ < r^u ar * y to those who were associated him in club activities. , The late Mr. Saunders owned the launch Joyce S.. and was formerly Part-owner of the 22-footer Sylvia, which sailed on the Manukau last season.

He was a consistent worker in the interests of his club, and acted as timekeeper at many racing fixtures. I-lis uneral at Waikumete on Sunday was largely attended by yachtsmen.