Scow Jane Gifford Relaunched [Archive]

View Full Version : Scow Jane Gifford Relaunched

dhic001

05-17-2009, 02:31 AM

This is a continuation of http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=96607 but it deserves its own thread. After three years of total rebuilding, the big day came for the relaunch celebrations. The plan consisted of maori blessing of the boat, followed by the launching ceremony, all done at Robertson's boatyard, about a mile downstream from Warkworth town wharf. Then Jane Gifford was to run up to town, with guests onboard, followed by a flotilla of traditional boats. Of course I was there with Zeltic as part of the flotilla.

My day started about 8am when I boarded Zeltic, gave aher a clean and tidy, set and lit the fire and made ready for a busy day. About 10 am Stuart Birnie (normally skipper of the double hulled waka, Aotearoa one), Sean Harris (steam engineer) and Finn Harris (Sean's son, apprentice steam engineer etc) joined me, and we set off upriver to Robertson's. Going past the Cement Works marina we passed the 1911 tug Glyn Bird, with her rather sick and smokey Gardner diesel and the mullety Melita, both of which joined the celebrations a bit later. At Robertson's quite a fleet of traditional vessels had formed, while on land the blessing of Jane Gifford and some speeches were underway. Eventually the scow was lowered into the water, and loaded with about 150 people, all with some connection to the vessels history or its restoration.

Just after 11, she set off up river, and we formed a convo behind. Kapanui, the 37 foot steamer previously restored by Peter Thompson (the main man behind the Jane Gifford), was meant to lead the flotilla, so we slotted in behind her, trying to keep the two steamers together.

Up at town the riverside was crowded with people, amongst whom was my father with the camera. Suddenly, the rig of Jane gifford appeared amongst the trees:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3651/3536995407_522c26ab33.jpg

Yep, thats definitely a scow, must be her:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/3536995485_0ce496f73b.jpg

And as she came up river, she was followed by quite a flotilla of interesting boats:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2423/3536995659_2a38c77e33.jpg

Daniel

dhic001

05-17-2009, 02:38 AM

The unmistakable shape of a Darroch scow heading into Warkworth again for the first time in years:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3407/3537808524_f3a2825120.jpg

More of Jane Gifford, the steamers Kapanui and Zeltic following and the mullety Melita under sail:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/3537808646_c38d85cb74.jpg

Note the significant crowds on the decks of Jane Gifford:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2294/3537808722_981364ea69.jpg

Daniel

The Bigfella

05-17-2009, 02:47 AM

Excellent Daniel.... more please.

dhic001

05-17-2009, 02:50 AM

Years of work and around $700000 to turn her from a total rotten wreck (see http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=250721) into this:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3595/3536996017_d0610e8a5b.jpg

The flotilla follows Jane Gifford into Warkworth:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3537809206_e1535f1b7a.jpg
The harbour master (who we never see normally) was meant to keep any non traditional vessels out of the convoy and away from the event, unfortunately he joined the flotilla himself with his nasty modern vessel, and allowed some other nasties in too, rather a shame. Thats the harbour master astern of Zeltic.

Kapanui whistling with the lovely little centreboard yacht Kia Ora off to starboard:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2133/3537809390_11c96366bd.jpg

Daniel

dhic001

05-17-2009, 03:00 AM

By this stage Jane Gifford was berthing, and the rest of us had to fight our way into the pontoons to get a berth. As none of us were moving very fast, my father took a couple of shots of Zeltic:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2388/3537809554_a18446afe0.jpg

And again, with Kia Ora behind towing Nancy:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2053/3536997021_f401142727.jpg

And finally the two steamers rafted up. This was the first time that Zeltic and Kapanui had been in steam together, significant as Zeltic had been an inspiration in Kapanui being rebuilt:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2265/3536997095_fd55d63422.jpg

The rest of the day was spent chatting to people, including a few from the forum, great to catch up with you all. I can't tell you what else was happening on shore, I never made it there. Eventually Stuart and I returned Zeltic to her berth before joining a good party of traditional boats people at Tom's place.

Maybe other who were in Warkworth on Saturday can post their thoughts and experiences of the day?

Daniel

Steveh

05-17-2009, 06:16 AM

Great weather, great turn out, and great time to catch up on people.

And thanks for the tour Daniel. Here's Zeltic, she's a real charmer.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/3537790933_3021beb2c1.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3649/3537791023_cc186a9443.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2368/3538624858_e2b3066b9d.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2024/3538624988_466f376bc4.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2199/3537812341_4ebf30cd74.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/3537812611_ba3560a45d.jpg

dhic001

05-17-2009, 06:33 AM

Great weather, great turn out, and great time to catch up on people.

And thanks for the tour Daniel. Here's Zeltic, she's a real charmer.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/3537790933_3021beb2c1.jpg

No worries Steve, was great to have you onboard. Sometime we'll have you out for a run, on a day when there aren't a million people who are all likely to ask for rides (not that I mind giving rides, but its nice to catch up with people too).
Love that photo. Wish they'd made the ventilators and safety escape pipe for Kapanui, would have made it even nicer. Did you get any detail shots of Janie? I don't have any unfortunately.

Daniel

Steveh

05-17-2009, 06:41 AM

Hey that's steam boat talk Daniel, I'm a yachtie remember :-) I think I have a vague idea what you're talking about.

And strangely enough I didn't get any photos of Jane Gifford. It was swarming with people. I would'nt mind finding out where Peter got that rope he used for the rigging from though, any clues.

rufustr

05-17-2009, 06:43 AM

Daniel and Steve.

Thanks for the thread and all the photos.

Wonderful.

:D:cool::cool::D

Thad

05-17-2009, 07:31 AM

There were a few people aboard!!!!! and rightly so! Cheers!!

dhic001

05-18-2009, 04:15 AM

Well the photos are starting to come out of the woodwork. Unknown to me one of the bosses at work was there, and took a few photos. Thanks to Warren for them. Here is Nancy sailing down to the boatyard to join the flotilla, taken before the crowds assembled:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2420/3542089080_f04a2d14ac.jpg

And the very sick GlynBird making lots of smoke on a run up to town:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2443/3542088458_7db3ec0995.jpg

Later Jane Gifford herself berthing:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/3542088796_7d18f6e36b.jpg

Daniel

dhic001

05-18-2009, 04:23 AM

I include the following photo not because its of Zeltic, or of the flotilla, but because of the rowing boat off Zeltic's starboard bow:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/3542089422_086423aa30.jpg
That boat is significant as its a replica of a Mahurangi Punt. The Mahurangi Punt was a local rowing and sailing boat, generally of about 21-22 foot length, flat bottomed with a Y shaped transom. With three planks per side they are very destinctive, and are incredibly rare. Including replica's there would be only a handful in existance. That one is one of a pair of recent replicas. They were used in the Mahurangi river and harbour for carrying people and light cargos during the days of early settlement when river transport was king, and everything came in and out by sea (steamers, scows, cutters and rowboats were the only means of transport ). Hopefully someone will come along with a better picture.

Daniel

StuartB

05-23-2009, 06:38 AM

Hi all,

Daniel very kindly allowed me to sail with him on Zeltic, (That's me at the back in some of the previous photos...

I hope you enjoy the following pics.

Cheers Daniel!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3384/3556440404_342504bdd3_o.jpg
Herreshoff Rowing Boat. Stunning
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3555628443_5d57790fa9_o.jpg
Glyn Bird putting a lot of effort into getting over a mud bank...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3555628969_f87c48310b_o.jpg
Jane at her berth
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3555629055_7ffaaa1069_o.jpg
Quarter view
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3555629161_56cd6c1c74_o.jpg
Kapanui
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3411/3555629393_53083220a0_o.jpg
This is my favourite photograph. At rest. Congrats to all involved, huge effort, awesome result, and a great day. Cheers all.

Stuart

BETTY-B

05-23-2009, 03:26 PM

Geeze, I almost missed this thread somehow.

Man, that looks like a lot of fun! Great job everyone!

DAN

Duncan Gibbs

05-23-2009, 10:23 PM

Lew Barrett

05-23-2009, 10:50 PM

Congratulations and best wishes to all concerned. She looks even better in the water than she did on the hard. Something to be spectacularly proud of to say the very least.

dhic001

05-24-2009, 12:23 AM

These ketch rigged scows seem quite the thing in NZ. Mum and Dad had a day sail on the Ted Ashby (built in 1992?) when they visited last year.

http://www.petersonsawmills.com/images/ArticleGeneral3a.jpg
http://www.gaffrig.co.nz/Images/tashby/041.jpg
http://www.gaffrig.co.nz/Images/tashby/044c.jpg

Ugg, Crashby as it is known to some of us is a horrible thing compared with the real scows. Is akin to a shoe box with a sharp end, whereas the real scows have lots of shape in places that Ted Ashby has none. Lots of inaccuracies in Ted Ashby, note the lack of sheer, the beltings running up to the stem, the shape of the bows etc.
Unfortunately she is portrayed by the museum as a replica, yet despite having two of the three surviving scow half models, she isn't anywhere near a replica. Sadly if they hadn't built Ted Ashby, Owhiti, a real scow would have been rebuilt by the museum and would be sailing today.
Daniel

Lew Barrett

05-25-2009, 02:21 PM

Something really nice you have down there are very attractive rivers to cruise. I love our inland passage (in photos, it looks much like your NZ backdrops) but river boating is somewhat restricted and rarer here. You seem to have a lot of protected and beautiful runs that allow for easy, pleasant days....apart from the South Pacific and the multitude of islets and cays of course.

The classic boating scene seems spectacularly healthy in your world. Such a great thread!

snow

05-26-2009, 04:58 AM

John B

05-26-2009, 05:10 AM

The Bigfella

05-26-2009, 05:32 AM

Rivers, New Zealand? Is there a river in NZ longer than 30 kilometres?

snow

05-26-2009, 02:21 PM

Issy bay aka drunks bay.Historically, Islington bay was regarded as the first stop for the coasters drying out their crew for work out of Auckland.... thats where the name comes from eh Snow.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd48/Waione_photos/Dakota/e7400fef.jpg

Correct - except this time we are doing it in reverse. First stop to get 'wet' & christening the new addition to Harold's fleet, which I'm told does 18.5 knots, hardly the behavior of a classic

IanG

05-26-2009, 09:25 PM

Rivers, New Zealand? Is there a river in NZ longer than 30 kilometres?

Lots of them, and they actually have water in them. Unlike some in the West Island.

Check out the 20 longest rivers in NZ:

hhttp://homepages.paradise.net.nz/nzealand/rivers.html (http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/nzealand/rivers.html)

It is hard to have really long rivers when the coast is always so close.

dhic001

05-27-2009, 03:51 AM

well this thread seems to have been hijacked by people going to drunks and people who like rivers, oh well. There are a lot of nice rivers in New Zealandat least partially navigable by reasonable sized vessels. The Mahurangi (where the Jane Gifford photos are taken) is navigable for nine nautical miles for vessels of up to 9 foot draft. Half that length is estury/harbour, which is filled with smaller creeks and streams, most of them navigable to vessels like Zeltic. I've done all but one in a dingy, and most of them in Zeltic years ago. Stuart and I will have to do some high tide exploration by steamer soon.

Interesting list Ian, I know Zeltic has been up the Thames (Waihou) river as far as Stanley Landing, which is just short of Matamata. The Wanganui was made navigable as far as Taumaranui in the mid/late 1800s, thats one heck of a long way. The Kaipara Harbour has an aweful lot of small and large rivers on it, you could spend years exploring it.

Daniel

riverat

05-28-2009, 09:57 PM

sorry Danial, for Taihape read Taumaranui, about 100 miles apart. Taihape is /was on the Rangitikie river.

dhic001

05-29-2009, 12:42 AM

sorry Daniel, for Taihape read Taumaranui, about 100 miles apart. Taihape is /was on the Rangitikie river.

You are correct, I'm never much good on central North Island geography. At least I was only 100 miles out!
Daniel

riverat

05-29-2009, 06:59 PM

Daniel, what are Zeltic's origins and what does the name mean. Do you have any pics of the de-construction of Janie? and some of those reverse curves in her plank seams are for a good reason but all became exagerated with time .Did the Waiukians replace the inner bulkheads with post and rail? regards Ray

dhic001

05-29-2009, 07:52 PM

Ray,

Zeltic is a lanes of Totara North ex motor launch, previously known as Dodo. Built as a motor launch, became a gaff cutter yacht, and now a steamer. Built 1903 as far as we can tell. The name is a way the previous owner got around naming it after his wife, without actually doing it. Her name is Zelma, so a sort of male version of the name was made up.

I don't personally have any pics of Jane being pulled apart, but take a look at Paul Gilbert's website http://www.aquapx.com/#/gallery/the-scow-jane-gifford/ for some pics. No, Waiuku hadn't changed the construction, just put lots of steel in strange places, and a new deck over the original (rotten) deck. The photos of Paul's show her after the bulkheads had been chainsawed out, leaving only the retaining bolts. She was fairly well documented before being pulled apart, and it was obvious that there were very few reverse curves in the planking, if any. While the plank lines on her today are purely saw cuts, they represent the planking lines of her as built, and as shown in early photographs and survey drawings.

Daniel

Chomps

05-30-2009, 09:22 PM

Thats amazing - rebuilding a scow from scratch ! I'm impressed the way Janey was rebuilt. Would be nice to restore a scow that has rotten away, replacing every piece of wood.... Nice work!

dhic001

05-31-2009, 01:06 AM

Not quite from scratch. The new partitions, hullsides and centre case were built up on the original bottom, which had been skinned. So there was some shape to start building on, and of course a lot iof the original structure gave patterns for the new stuff. The bow was an interesting example, a very complex shape, the inside was framed up over the old planking, then the planking was removed and replaced with new planking. thus the old became the template for the new.

Daniel

Chomps

05-31-2009, 05:12 AM

Ohh i see now! the old planks - used as template - clever.

jevvv

06-12-2009, 11:32 PM

Great to finally catch up with the big day, Daniel

Awesome seeing you and Kapanui there too.

The punt was being rowed by Simon [somebody-can't remember it] and Kerry Miller- these are the two guys who built it, I think.

Memories of punts: my grandfather and his brother still had at least one when I was growing up. I have memories of him taking us out to Mera on the moorings at Algies Bay, and it being loaded to the gunwales, very literally.

And seeing photos of it loaded with friends and visitors from the boarding house, as many on thwarts as possible, including on other's knees, and then people standing like sardines between.

Poppa used to tell of rowing gently ashore, loaded like that, the young ladies squealing if a ripple of water came over the rail, then as they got in shallow enough knocking the bung out of the floor with his toe while continuing to row ;)

He also talked of Janey coming into the bay with a load of manure for the farm, and I'm pretty sure that our punt was in use when Janey used to come in regularly.

Here's Kerry (fore) and Simon (aft) in the new punt:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3359/3621407238_c474004167.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2450/3621407226_9000344401.jpg?v=0

(my photostream that includes these pics on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21695447@N03/))