AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 196, 8 November 1927, Page 12

AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT

(By

KEELSON)

Personalities Afloat

J IR. A. E. GIFFORD Alfred Ernest Gilford needs no introduction to yachtsmen. The popular owner of Rawene has been a prominent figure on the Waitemata for so many years and has taken so large a part on the executive side of yachting that this name is one of the most widely known of acquatic men still actively pursuing the sport. Me has achieved more success in racing than the majority of men now afloat. Mr. Gifford’s son, Jack, has further added to the family fame as owner and skipper of Rona, the crack 14-footer which has performed so eminently with his hand on the tiller in Sanders’ Cup contests. “Like father, like son,” was never truer than in the Gifford family. Something in the nature of a unique record can be claimed by them when early in 1924 father and son secured three cups in three days for yacht racing. On the Saturday Mr. Gifford won the Macky Cup in Rawene. on the Monday Jack secured the Sanders’ Cup, and again on the Tuesday Rawene brought off the Heather Cup. Mr. Gifford’s first command was the 20-footer Maru, which he acquired in 1891. Eight years later he disposed of his craft and bought the five-rater Ngaru from the late W. E. Bennett. In .1906 he built the launch Kotiro, bi.it power held no fascination for him with a love for the more exhilirating sport in his make-up. Three years later he sold the launch and built Rawene, his present command. In 1920 he built Rona for his son, with the results everybody knows. On the business side he has borne his full part. Me has been a member of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron since IS9S and has served on its committee for 20 years successively from 1907. From 1918 to 1922 Mr. Gifford was rear-commodore of the squadron, was promoted vice-commo-dore for the three following years, and has flown the commodore’s flag from 1924 to 1926.

OWNERS AND THEIR BOATS

The launch Naumai has been sold by Mr. Arnold, and will in future be located at Devonport. Mr. Douglas is the purchaser. A start has been made on the 2Gft. keel yacht Cynthia. Last week-end the owner was busy burning: off the combings and cabin top.

Mr. A.. Braund’s Mavis B. is rapidly approaching completion. The combings were grained last week and a very satisfactory looking job has been made.

The nine horse-power Buffalo engine has been removed from Mr. Kean’s counter-stern launch, Jean K.., and a four-cylinder English Alpha job substituted.

Almira, the 16ft. mullet-boat, has received the finishing touches at the hands of her owner, and should be moving seaward any time now.

Though not originally intended, the underwater surfaces of the launch Paikea have also been burnt off, thus making it complete. The top-sides have been well rubbed down and a priming coat applied.

The graining of the cockpit of the launch Marjorie K. has been completed. The deck and cabin-top have received the necessary attention at the painters’ hands. A coat outside is required to finish the job. The 16ft. flattie lona was due to go down Mast week-end. lona has had a good deal of work put into her this winter, and should benefit appreciably by her overhaul. The hull has been painted royal blue, which should be easily distinguished.

The workmanship displayed on the launch Parori is commendable. The white enamel top-sides with gold streak lined with a thin red band, add a splendid finish to this type of hull. The graining, too, is worthy of special mention.

Judging by appearances the keelyacht Moana should take the water this week-end. The final coat of white enamel has been applied and the streak gilded. The damage to the lead keel has been made good, and new sheathing fitted where necessary. Mr. Hogan replaced the engine in his launch Manurere last week, and immediately set about putting the main cabin in order. The walls and panelling have received several applications of white enamel, and the beading round the panels picked out with gold leaf. The refitting of the crank racing yacht Ariki is proceeding apace. Last week the cabin was wired up and the electric light fittings placed in position. The mast and bowsprit have been well scraped and oiled, and the rudder taken out for inspection.

Waitangi is keeping hands busy. The process of burning the paint from the top-sides of this big keeler has been completed, and a priming coat of red-lead applied. The above-water seams have been reputtied from stern head to transom. The bowsprit and mast have been scraped and well oiled.

Work on Mr. Endean’s Prize is not quite so forward as that of his neighbour Moana, but it is expected that the refit will be complete at an early date. The deck has received the final coat of paint, and the top and sides are ready for the white enamel finish. The close contests between this craft and Rawene are always eagerly looked forward to.

OTAGO AND SANDER’S CUP ’ According to a Dunedin paper work - is proceeding apace on the new Ronadesign boat to compete in the trials for the selection of Otago’s representative in the Sander’s Cup contests. * ; The keel is laid, moulds are in position and the garboards are on. A start ! j has been made with the planking and 'if all goes well the boat should be j afloat in time to take part in the first ! trial race on November 26. i The plans were sent down from ’ I Auckland not long ago at the request I of a syndicate which is financing the I craft. It is understood the builder is mak- ! ing a fine job of the construction, and jit is sincerely hoped the new boat : may. be a second Betty. •

CRUISING IN PACIFIC

BIG YACHT UTIEKAH During the last five months or so a big Australian yacht, or. strictly speaking, a ketch, has been cruising among the Pacific Islands. She is named Utiekah, or Rippling Waters, and is a magnificent ship of 37 tons net. Her length is 56ft overall. she is 15ft 9in beam and draws 6ft Sin. She carries five tons of lead in her keel. Utiekah is owned by Mr. E. Giles, one of the senior masters of the Melbourne Grammar School, who is on a year’s leave. The ship, which was designed by her owner, was built three years ago in Tasmania to his order. He set out from Sydney last June, taking with him a crew of seven. One of these voyagers, Mr. Arthur Peck, of the Royal Yacht Club of Vic-

toria, who incidentally has had 50 years’ experience as a yachtsman, and is the oldest member of his club, is a, through passenger to Sydney by the Niagara now in port. Just recently while cruising with the others he was unfortunate enough to meet with an accident which has necessitated his leaving his friends and returning at once to Melbourne. Mr. Peck says that the adventurous crew has had a wonderful time and has visited dozens of islands. From Sydney it touched first at Lord - Howe Island, then went on to Norfolk Island, the Tonga group, Apia and Savaai. At Apia it had the pleasure of picking up Captain Bell, Resident Administrator of Savaai, and carrying him to his island kingdom. The ketch then went to Suva, where a half-caste pilot was taken aboard. Then followed a delightful cruise of 800 miles through the Fiji and Lau groups, where almost every island was visited. Wonderful fishing and some good shooting have been obtained by the party at many islands and everywhere they have been received very hospitably, both by natives as well as the whites. Several members of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Peck yesterday and were much interested in hearing of his experiences. The best wishes of yachtsmen will go with Mr. Peck for his quick recovery.

VICTORIA’S CLUBHOUSE The Victoria Cruising Club’s new club-house site is now on the inner end of the reclamation between Goldie’s Mill and the Gasworks Point. RULE RECINED The rule hitherto enforced by the Victoria Cruising Club requiring all competitors in its races to fly the club’s flag when competing in such events was rescinded at a meeting held last Wednesday. COLLEEN’S NEW SKIPPER Colleen, Otago’s representative in the Cornwell Cup contests for two years, will not have Carl Moller at her tiller this year. Instead his youngest brother Lester will sail the craft. Carl finds his studies as a dental student too pressing, and although he still comes within the age limit, he has had to drop out of cup yachting. A Dunedin writer says, however, that the younger Moller has had little experience in yachting and will probably find in the trial that he is not capable of handling Colleen well enough. As Hugh Riddell is the only other Takapuna-class skipper on the harbour, lie will probably be Otago’s elected challenger.