AT THE SIGN OF THE PENNANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 118, 9 August 1927, Page 13

AT THE SIGN OF THE PENNANT

(By

KEELSON)

Personalities Afloat

MR. T. L. THOMPSON, Commodore, Richmond Cruising Club. If 27 years of service in the interests of yachting are anything to be proud of, Mr. T. L. Thompson, Commodore

of the Richmond Cruising Club, is the proudest man in Auckland today. Mr. Thompson’s association with things aquatic commenced as a boy of 11, when he first sailed in the Magic. To - day, though still comparatively young in years, he claims

Mr. T. L. Thompson to be the oldest flag officer of any club in Auckland. One of the founders of the Home Bay Club in 1899, he was its first Commodore, and also one of those who pioneered the Ponsonby Cruising Club. He was secretary of the Richmond Club for two years, its commodore for seven years before the war, and for the two years since its rehabilitation he has continued, as its senior flagofficer.

For six years he was commodore of the Victoria Club, as well as vicecommodore for another couple of years. His services in the interests of both Victoria and Richmond Clubs have been rewarded with life memberships. Mr. Thompson was on the old Ponsonby Regatta Committee for many years, and also on the Auckland Regatta Committee, and acted both as judge and time-keeper. He was also chairman of the Auckland Yacht and Power Boat Association at one time. Among the boats owned and sailed by this veteran flag-officer are: Speedwell, Success, Echo, Nyria, Midget and

Millicent (lately renamed The Sun). He has been active in municipal affairs since his late twenties, and was appointed a Justice of the Peace last year. CHANGING HANDS The 14-footer Sea Spray lias been purchased by Mr. G. Basham. The owner of Commerce, Mr. W. McCullough, has bought the E class yacht Laloma from Mr. E. de Courcy. * * * The keel yacht Cooee will race no more on the Waitemata. Mr. W. Davis has sold her and she is having an engine installed as a preliminary to joining Auckland’s fishing fleet. The former Commodore of the Point Chevalier Sailing Club, Mr. Empson, has sold his launch Fleetwing. It is understood that this craft is also bound for the fishing grounds. Another owner to part with his craft is Mr. W. It. Ellis, who has sold Scout. It is understood that the keeler’s new owner is one of Commodore Swabey’s sea dogs. HAULING-UP SITE ON MANUKAU In response to the request of a deputation from the Manukau Yacht and Club for a suitable haul-ing-up site, the Onehunga Borough Council has granted the club a portion of the foreshore of Market Reserve for this purpose. The new site is handy to the clubhouse, and should accommodate about 20 yachts and launches. AKARANA’S NEW CLUB-HOUSE The Akarana Yacht Club last week decided to push on with its new clubhouse, which will ultimately grace the foreshore near Campbell’s Point, just inside the breakwater. The question of the exact dimensions of the land on which the club's new home is to be built has held up the project for some time, but the point having been settled, the committee has now authorised the architects, Messrs. Grierson. Aimer and Draffin, to proceed with the completion of the plans. MR. KISSLING’S LECTURES. That Mr. O. H. Kissling’s first lecture on the Rule of the Road at the squadron rooms on Friday evening was a gratifying success is evident from the fact that 50 yachtsmen availed themselves of the opportunity of brush-ing-up their knowledge of the subject. Speaking at the Manukau Yacht and Motor Boat Club’s prize night, the secretary of the squadron, Mr. J. C. Hewson, invited members of both Manukau Clubs to attend the lectures as well as those of the Waitemata. Mr. Kissling announces that he would welcome written inquiries from yachtsmen regarding the interpretation of the rule of the road, on which he is so competent to give advice. The next lecture will be given on Tuesday, August 16, and not on August 17, as previously notified.

The off-the-wind record holder Anahera Is having a complete clean-up. Her crew has been busy tearing off the muntz metal sheathing which has formed the bottom covering for a number of years. * Mr. 11. Bennett’s V-class boat Magic has had the bottom and sides burnt off and the inside is being thoroughly renovated. * * * Messrs. Whitcombe and Evans’s Vbottomed launch Valencia has had her old engine, which was not considered suitable for marine work, replaced by a new 45 h.p. Continental motor. * * * Mr. W. Ahlers has wasted no time In starting to overhaul his new acquisition, the 18-foot patiki Maroro. A complete new set of rigging and running gear .will be fitted. His intention is to hoist a gaff mainsail this season, which should x>rove a good idea. The 22-footer Rahiri has evidently had quite a lot of good work done to her by the crew; the hull itself is just about scraped bare and the cabin has been repanelled. It is the owner’s desire to have a try for the Lipton Cup in 1928. * * * The former crack 24-foot mullet boat Glady, owned by Mr. Jas. Mackay and hauled out at Bayswater, is undergoing the usual winter overhaul. Her owner proposes to bend on a new suit of sails next summer. It is a pity that this champion does not usually race nowadays, as at one time, when at her best, it was a usual occurrence to see her beat the best 26footers home. Several launches which are up on the hard at Shore Road, Remuera, have been receiving their winter overhaul. Among them are Velox, Maonora, Waiatui and Silver Spray. Work on Velox, previously 7 known as the Waihou, is well advanced. Her owner’s present intention is to install a new six-cylinder Metz engine, which he anticipates will drive his ship at about 11 knots.

IMANOTO MR. CASEY’S NEW CRUISER Among the proud owners of new boats next season will be Mr. Wm. L. Casey, president of the Victoria Cruising Club, *vho has just bought the new 36ft. launch turned out by Collings and Bell. The new cruiser, which is to have the same name as Mr. Casey’s former craft —Imanoto —is designed on the concave-convex principle, and is powered by a 50-75 h.p. six-cylinder Redwing engine, which should give her a speed of anything up to 15 knots. With her eight-foot beam and flush deck, providing ample head-room throughout, the launch should prove the acme of comfort. In her spacious main cabin there are four bunks, as well as ample room for wireless and a gramophone. There is a ladies cabin l'or’ard, provided with wardrobes and everything calculated to add to their comfort. Lockers for stowing away ample supplies for lengthy cruises, tanks, cooking facilities, and even a sink have been provided in this up-to-date craft. The cruiser is navigated from a water-tight cock-pit which is fitted with a glass “dodger.” The engine which is placed well for’ard, is started by the pressure of a button. The very pronounced flare of her bows, reminiscent of a destroyer, added to the general attractiveness of her lines, give Imanoto a very racy appearance. INTER-HARBOUR CONTESTS Mr. W. S. Goodison, commodore of the Ponsonby Cruising Club, who is always to the fore where the interests of yachting are concerned, expressed the hope at the Manukau Yacht Club prize night, that the old-time contests between the Waitemata and Manukau Clubs would be revived. ITe backed up this commendable wish by offering to donate a trophy for the encouragement of inter-harbour competition. PRIZE *FOR OUT-BOARD MOTORBOATS That outboard motor-boat racing is destined to become a popular sport in Auckland is evident from the fact that a city firm has come forward with an offer to the Akarana Club of a £2O prize to be competed for by this type of craft. The trophy will be awarded on the points system, to the boat which proves itself the fastest in a series of six races. DEVONPORT’S PRIZE NIGHT LIST OF TROPHY WINNERS Yachtsmen on the northern side of the Waitemata will assemble tomorrow night for the Devonport Yacht Club’s annual prize night and dance. Among the trophy winning boats which will receive their reward will be: Rover. —Jellicoe Cup and miniature. Lucille. —Muade Shield and miniature and an additional first. Manene. —Mr. J. Holloway’s trophy, another first and a second. Drone. —“Herald’ Cup and miniature presented by Mr. S. Compton. Kismet.—Duder Cup and miniature. Lancia.—Edwin Cup and miniature. Rangi.—Three firsts. Ola IV.—Two firsts. Waitere, Victory and Alerte.—One first and one second each. Resolute.—One first and one third. Valeria, Ngaru 11., Mawhiti, Matarere, Joan, Romp and Nyria.—One first each. Nga-toa, Kotiri, Varuna 11., Mollie, Mystic, Namu, Kismet and Kokiri.— One second each. Prize, Venus and Forest Gold.—One third each. Launches. —Avis, one first. WHAT OWNERS ARE DOING Leveret has been transformed from half-round to the V-bottom type on the Surprise principle. Her owner, Mr. T. Bell, in consequence hopes to obtain greater speed during the coming racing season.