Readers Write
Staying on top of the SWS inbox is time consuming, but rewarding. Much of the correspondence covers interesting gems of information, perhaps not substantial enough for a stand alone article, but definitely worth sharing.
Here are a few examples.
KALUA- The End
From Greg Whittaker
Hi Mark,
Re my enquiry regarding the fate of KALUA, (CLICK HERE to read previous article) I contacted Juha and he sent me this reply…
"Hi Greg,
Sad news to deliver. KALUA is still at Big Boat Shed, Cairns. She will be soon demolished since I was not able to find anybody to take over her.
Kind regards,
Juha Sironen"
...so I contacted the ‘Big Boat Shed’ in Cairns and made enquiries regarding KALUA's present status. The proprietor told me that they are presently in the process of breaking her up and that she was beyond the point of saving now. Even though I had never seen KALUA, or been onboard, I think a little piece inside me died to think that something so beautiful could be broken up and discarded.
Sorry to be the barer of sad news, but thank you for your site which puts the spotlight on vulnerable maritime beauties in danger of being lost forever and at least giving me the opportunity of finding her.
Warm Regards
Greg Whittaker
A Wooden Personal Computer Tablet.
From CPT MudGuts (Gus)
Wooden Satellites!! As someone who has built wooden bicycles I can understand.
To that end, I thought you might like to have a look at this mini project I just completed.
A Wooden Personal Computer Tablet.
Made with African Mahogany and Finnish Birch micro ply, it’s an analog system that can store images and word documents like any good table… It has several input styluses and a real paper feel.
The Paper Clip function organises various projects and in conjunction with a Main Frame storage system, an antique four draw chest at home, untold amounts of doodling etc can be stored and retrieved by applying ‘Rummaging Technology’…
There are no issues with battery life, sustainability or stress associated with more complexed tablets etc.
Regards and thank you for your great writing and thoughts that go into SWS. I appreciate it.
CASUARINA accepted onto the Register of Historic Vessels
From Greg Dwyer
(Some Background on this…. Greg has recently moved to the UK and his beautiful Twister CASUARINA has been passed on to new custodians, Rob and Jane Heard. Greg was one of our most read contributors with his articles on the Sydney Shipwrights Hald and Johansen PART ONE & PART TWO)
CASUARINA Circa 1964- Photograph Bryan Riddell
Mark
FYI
cheers
Greg
From David Sullivan at the ANMM
Dear Greg,
Exciting news in that on the 21 February 2024 Casuarina was approved to the ARHV!
Casuarina – Works – arhv.sea.museumCongrats and a burgee and certificate will be over to you over the next month. Thanks again for your support,
Cheers,David
WILD ROSE
From Hamish Russell
Part One
Hi Mark,
I was most interested in the story of MARCO POLO. I recently purchased an Arthur Robb called WILD ROSE ( I suspect that she may have been called JADE previously). The boat has been neglected with leaking decks but is in otherwise good condition for a 1961 Cheoy Lee build. I would be most interested to contact the owner of MARCO POLO and any other Arthur Robb 35 owers who I could discuss restoration issues with. I am in Auckland New Zealand.
Part Two
Hi Mark
Many thanks for your email.
Re WILD ROSE, I am still trying to get more information on her history. What I know is that she was built by Choe Lee in Hong Kong in 1961. Construction is Teak over Ipol laminated ribs. She had one owner, Don Feher for 30 years, he then sold her in 1917 to Adam Riley at which time she was located in Shelter Bay Marina Panama. Adam then sailed her 8000 miles via the Galapagos Islands to New Zealand. Unfortunately Covid intervened and Adam sold her to Kurt Reed who lived in Christchurch. She was located on the Hobsonville Marina close to my boat where I live. Kurt had spent a lot on her in Whangarei but did not tackle the decks which were her main issue. I watched her decline over 3 years and kept an eye on her for Kurt. He did try to sell her but nobody would take her on with the deck issue.
In the end I purchased her for a nominal amount just to save her. I am retired so I took her on as a project because she is a special boat and to keep myself busy. As always the case there is a lot more work involved in the restoration than I thought. I took her out of the water in September and have her stored under cover a short drive from the marina. Work to date has included removing the side decks and fitting new ply, cockpit repairs and stripping out the interior for re-painting. The original teak interior is still largely unaltered so lots of vanishing to do.
The major issues that I need to resolve are the steel ring frames which were almost totally rusted away. At this stage I am proposing to laminate in wooden replacements but would like to discuss this with someone who has already replaced the steel. The other issue is keel bolts which I will tackle towards the end of the project but again would like some information on this.
If you are in Auckland and have time to look at the boat I would be pleased to take you out to see her.
Regards
Hamish
