AT THE SIGN OF THE PENNANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 764, 10 September 1929, Page 14

AT THE SIGN OF THE PENNANT

OUTBOARD SPEEDER AMOK

INCIDENT AT ST. MARY’S BAY An incident which caused something of a sensation occurred at about midday on Sunday in St. Mary’s Bay, when the outboard speed boat, Miss Jill, No. 21, got completely out of control when racing at full speed toward the shore. The occupants were Messrs. C. J. Collings, builder of the craft, and Chs. Goldsbro’. Mr. Collings says that his companion was steering and he was tuning up the engine. The boat attained about 28 miles an hour and was going full out. The steersman decided to run ashore between the jetties, but when the time came for slowing down, Mr. Collings could not stop the engine. He even pulled the battery wires loose but the Miss Jill rushed on. Careering on. the craft struck bottom with the engine racing madly, swerved, almost capsized, and hit the petrol wharf with a crash. The occupants were precipitated into shallow water, fortunately escaping serious injury, though both experienced shock. Mr. Goldsbro’ received a cut on the lip and Mr. Collings got off with a shaking and a ducking. Miss Jill was slightly damaged, her bows being crumpled for a length of a few inches —damage which inspired one of the crew to remark, “Well, that’s what you get for going out boating on Sunday.’*

OUT OF THE LOCKER Mr. Heard and crew were busy on the inside of his fine cruiser Kenya, and she should be ready to take the water early in the season. * * * The mullet-boat Huia, owned by Mr. R. Connolly, is also well advanced. She is to have a new mast fitted this season. * * * Speedwell, Messrs. Cloke and Patrick’s C class keeler, has had her decks varnished, this crack speed merchant should be ready for the water early. * * * Among other boats at the Bay in course of overhaul are:—Mispah, Venora, Twilight, Esme, Elsianor and E>oreen. * * + The glorious weather during the week-end encouraged crowds of yacht and launchmen to work on their boats and all the “beaches’’ and every nook and corner found busy crews hard at it with blow-lamp and brush.

There was a particularly large assembly at Richmond, where boats registered with that club were advanced a further stage. The 14-footer Manu, owned by the commodore, Mr. T. L. Thompson, is now all ready to take the water. She is a light buff in colour, and has had her sails enlarged. All the boats mentioned last week have had a good deal more done to them.

The 22ft Sin yacht Marere was burnt off and had a coat of red lead applied. The Sun has received a final coat and will take the water in three weeks. Leveret will also be ready then. The 20-footers Lorna and Matariki are looking in good trim, and are nearly ready for the harbour.

Mr. “Yank” Leyland, who has sailed the 14-footer Romp with considerable success, has bought the 18ft squarebilge boat Sea Crest, a fairly new boat. He has handed Romp to a younger brother.

Overhaul is proceeding apace at Takapuna, where a dozen craft are in various stages of painting. The Takapuna Boating Club has its first general committee meeting on Thursday evening. The business is to appoint delegates to the A.Y.M.8.A., a sailing committee and handicappers.

Judge’s Bay presented an animated appearance, boat-owners taking full advantage of the weather to get their boats into shape in readiness for the now rapidly-approaching season. « « » Rakoa is well advanced for this season, and looks smart in her new paint. The keeler Kestrel, which was not in commission last season, is also undergoing overhaul in readiness for this season. * * # The new M class boat, designed and built by Mr. A. Logan for Mr. Chamberlain of Ponui Island, is about ready for delivery. With mahogany finishings the boat looks very neat. The owner will race the craft this year. A name has yet to be selected for it Members of the crew of the 26-foot mullet-boat Spray held an evening on Friday in honour of Mr. G. Mackay, part owner and skipper, who was presented with a teapot. In making the presentation, Mr. G. Partington referred to Mr. Mackay’s capabilities as a yachtsman. He was supported by Mr. W. Goodison. Mr. Mackay briefly responded.

Mr. C. J. Collings lias just launched the new cruiser for the Rev. Jasper Calder and Mr. C. Goldsbro. Mr. Collings has also completed an outboard cruiser for Mr. Robert Laidlaw. The craft is of pleasing design and is sturdily built on the diagonal principle. Between the skins airplane cloth ha 9 been fixed and this gives added resilience. The boat, which will be used mainly for fishing, has three airtanks. The runabout will probably be called Sea Horse. She is finished in varnish with a white bottom.

Mr. Collings has three more outboards building, one being for Gisborne, a second for Pahiatua, and the other for this city. In addition, he is shortly beginning work on a 40-foot launch for the Picton passenger service. Three of the latest type of racing outboard engines arrived for Mr. Collings by the Aorangi on Sunday.

A check of the winning boats on the Waitemata last season shows that boats built and designed by Loga:: Brothers or designed by Mr. A Log* ll and built by other builders, secured 150 wins, almost equally distributed between first, second and third place*. This could be added to by wins notched by the same designers and builders’ craft in Tasmania, Sydney and Melbourne. Yeulba, winner of the Champion A Pennant and the LiP' ton Cup in Tasmania last season was formerly called Cullawalla 1, and was built by Logan Brothersm # m It is possible that Mr. Robb will not race his M boat this season, being somewhat disappointed with the results of last year’s racing. This is one of the best sporting classes on the harbour, and from their solid construction the boats need about £IOO worth of materials. It is k* l " luck therefore if an owner spends that sum and then thinks that he did not get the best out of the boat. the design is good is exemplified frorn the idea of the Takapuna Club imitate it with a 16ft carvel claw Marconi rigged. It is planned to 8 e a steel mould for this new Takapum class. It is claimed that one AucKlander is inclined to order two of them* if the class really gets going.