Personalities Afloat

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 290, 28 February 1928, Page 14

Personalities Afloat

MR. ARTHUR CLARE , The “Moorings King.” A prominent figure on the harbr • is Arthur Clare, who, to yachtsmen, _ ,68 by the sobriquet of the “Moorings King.’* In case his nickname seems rather mystifying to some of the younger hands, it had better be explained that Mr. Clare performs a very necessary and much appreciated work in looking after the moorings of their boats, as a servant of the Harbour Board. Arthur Clare has also done a great deal of sailing in former days. He started when a boy, and when he got a bit older he joined the crew of a mullet boat. Then he sailed in a ship called the Ma k a Maile, built for intercolonial racing. He enjoyed many victories, and at one time raced against the old - timers Geisha and Bronzewing. Later he built the 26ft mullet boat Okeie. and in one season won seven out of 13 races. His brother raced in a boat called Kmeraid, and many fine tussles resulted. From 1908 to 1913 he sailed in the -Ift mullet boat Gladdy. winning nine ( liampionships and never being beaten. His next was the Kama, a 26-footer, built for “Gib” Macxay. This boat tarried off the Gunson Cup. Later on Mr. Clare raced in Omatero and Starloch.

One of his best-remembered races was a battle for a £1)0 sweepstakes in 1912. Mr. Clare sailed the mullet boat Mowal against ’‘Champion Charlie Nelson,** who sailed Hetty. After a good race Mowai won by live minute*. Arthur Clare was one of the pioneers of the 22ft mu lie ties, and it. was really he who introduced that measurement to the Waitemata. Though he has not done a great deal of active yachting for some time, he still takes a great interest in aquatics./ The picture shows him watching one of the Sanders Cup contests. The Clare/ family has been wellknown in rowing: and yachting circles for many years. Arthur Clare is the eldest of three sons of the late “Jimmy** Clare, a prominent oarsman in th® earlier days.