Cough cough..... the cat has not been allowed out to play for a while.
Some 300 people turned up for the big occasion and were not dissapointed.
Ferro was built by Logan Bros in 1905 for the Ferro Cement Co of Australasia Ltd [Grafton Bridge].
A double ender she measures 45’ LOA 9’6” beam.
The Auckland Star of 21/12/1907 described her as being painted in gloomy colours but was otherwise ‘quite one of the handsomest launches on the harbour”. In 1909 the Auckland Harbour Board brought her as an assistant pilot boat and medical officer’s boat. Doc James Frew, long time Port Medical Officer always insisted on helming her when onboard going to inspect incoming ships, collecting hours so he could sit his ‘ticket’ with the MD. It used to be a lot tougher to get your hours up to qualify but he got them in the end.
Although still much loved, her ‘time’ came in1987. She is still remembered ‘around the wharves’ both for her suitability for the tasks she was purchased to do and for the fine seaman who skippered her over the years. Everything you did in Ferro had a critical audience.
In the disposal tender process Harold Kidd along with Dick Coughlan, Keith Pine and Brian Edgar convinced the AHB that despite having put in a lower offer with them Ferro was going to be kept locally and cherished by people who would keep her in original condition. Thus Ferro did not keep an appointment with a chainsaw wielding operator from up North and what would have almost certainly seen a short hard life before ending up the knackers yard.
A year ago we said Ferro was still in top condition but had had a few modifications over her working life. Ask Simon van Tuyl who inspired the makeover, Craig ‘Chook’ Coughlan who has made a huge contribution, and their army of helpers and they will tell you for ‘few’ read ‘bloody thousands’.
Week after week they have toiled removing every dumb idea and add-on inflicted on Ferro in 99 years. Truckloads of old timber, steel, layer after layer of paint scrapings, fittings of unknown purpose and literally tons of bloody junk. She floated higher and higher each day you saw her.
Now as she emerges from the covers once more in pristine condition we applaud the hard work Simon, Chook and the team have put in. But there is another reason why Ferro is still around, in 1905 they built things to last.
Well done Ferro. And Bravo Zulu to Simon, Keith, Dick, Chook and all the volunteers and contributors. Relaunch was on 29 Nov 2005 1800 at the MCC Slip.
Jasper
I’d not seen Doc for 20 years but met him in the Milford Mall after I had written this, but in time to tell him about the relaunch. The wairua of Ferro at work.
The first kiss....... the moment the keel touches the water for the first time in her new life
The 'Team' manning the rails as Ferro heads down creek
to keep her appointment with the harbour tugs and the bridal veil from the fire fighting pumps.
Ship shape and Bristol fashion with every detail seen too.
The Blade. The massive brass stem capping which should be avoided at all costs.
It's that overhung deck that fools you into thinking she is a lot bigger than she is.
Ferro as a working girl after the installation of her Catapiller engine
We assume this picture was taken in 1929 but could be wrong. Otira L25 the 1925 Bailey and Lowe 22ft mullet boat is still up the Tamaki River [DJ Kelly] now with a marconi rig she has carried for 40 years. Another boat which apparently was cropped out of the picture, N12 Wairere a 20ft Logan design built in 1921 is around up near the Taikata Sailing Club. The gaffer over near HMS Dunedin [sunk in 1941 by German U Boat] has yet to be identified .
Ferro at Oneroa. She has a lot more bright work these days, you know that varnish stuff.
Photo Boating NZ and Harold Kidd
Just to put her age in perspective this picture of the creek was taken in 1926. 21 years after Ferro hit the water and started working for a living. That is not 21 years of sitting on a mooring with the odd weekend jaunt. That is 21 years of serious work.
