New Zealand Cargo Scows

Last month we published a 'simple boat design' which was based on the scows that once plied New Zealand's coast. A fact that might surprise many of you about this little country of mine John and Stuart's is that it has a longer coastline than the continental United States. It is also a coast that lies at right angles across the bottom of the world between two great oceans, one of the reasons there are not many of these vessels left. It is also true to say they were never built for their beauty although many of us find they have that in their own way. Absolutely functional they worked their guts out, first under sail, then under power until they were discarded racked and ruined to rot away on some remote beach.

In the first group of photographs, regular John Bennett read about the scows in last months magazine (see link above) and news that there was a minature working version in the Dargaville and old timber port on the Kaipara Harbour on the north west coast of our North Island. He set off to have a look and has provided us with three excellent photographs.

The second photograph is one of my treasured possessions. It shows two scows (names not known but I am working on it) with everything up but the masters Y fronts racing for home up the southern channel into my home port on the Waitemata Harbour.

Lastly some pictures by Brett Phibbs of the New Zealand Herald (June 29 2001) in an article titled "Grand Old Dame needs surgery' written by Suzanne McFadden. The story is about the 96 year old 'Jane Gifford' built by Davey Darroch in 1908.
For the first 30 years of its life it worked the waters of Northland and Bay of Plenty carrying sand, shingle and timber. It was then fitted with engines by renowned master seaman Bert Subritzky who used the ship to service Great Barrier Island which lies across Auckland's Hauraki Gulf.

In 1985 Bert decided to give his little ship a good home and presented her to the Waiuku Museum Society. A full restoration was given costing about NZ$250,000 before starting a second sailing life on the Manukau Harbour (we have five of the largest harbours in the world too). Unfortunately the restoration was not carried out by skilled persons and the Jane Gifford was rotting away very quickly.

A trust has been formed and the vessel has been transported across the isthmus to the Waitemata for a new refit which could cost as much as NZ$1,000,000. Mr Clyde Hamilton, president of the museum society said the work this time will be done by professional boatbuilders. If you can be of any assistance in any way please contact me and I will put you in touch.

In the meantime rest assured this is a subject we will be following up on in more detail.
David Robertson
Editor