Decorative tiller from AKARANA

Designer Robert Logan

Builder Robert Logan

Date1888

Object number00008980

NameTiller

MediumKauri wood

Dimensions2.3 kg

ClassificationsVessels and fittings

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from David Leigh

Terms

DescriptionThis decorative tiller is from the gaff cutter AKARANA, designed and built by Robert Logan in New Zealand. The slightly curved carved tiller features a plait pattern, imitating rope work, and a round plain head. It functioned as a handle to move the rudder and steer the vessel and was used by various owners onboard AKARANA from the 1880s to the 1930s.
HistoryAKARANA was built in Auckland, New Zealand in 1888 by Robert Logan, an established boat builder in 19th century New Zealand. It was primarily built as a racing vessel and its name derived from the Maori word for Auckland. ARKARNA was shipped by Logan to Melbourne specifically for the 1888 Centennial International Regatta to be held late in the year. In the Melbourne regatta AKARANA won a lead up event and then one of the feature races on the programe, but faired poorly in another two races when gear failed early on each time. It then came to Sydney for the Anniversary Regatta in 1889, and won the race for its class on handicap.

Logan then sold the boat in Sydney but the new owner and other subsequent owners used the AKARANA mainly for cruising. It was well known on Sydney Harbour and Broken Bay, and sailed up the Hawkesbury River toward Windsor on one expedition.

Over many years ARKARNA underwent a number of changes to its keel, rig and layout. After having numerous owners the ARKANA became neglected in Sydney Harbour up until 1987 when the New Zealand Government purchased the yacht. They funded a major restoration project and AKARANA became a Bi-Centennial gift from New Zealand to Australia in 1988.

Previous owners of AKARANA
John S Abraham, 1889-1899

Calveley C McEwen, 1899-1901

Charles H Relph, 1901-1902

Kenneth I Love, 1902-1907

George Robinson, 1907-1909

James A Ingham, 1909-1910

Frederick R Poole, 1910-1913

Charles DW Wray, 1913-1915

Frank O Day, 1915

Henry V Carr, 1915

Henry C Pritchard, 1916

Jack, Mim and Roy Leigh, 1916-1938

Gordon Butcher, 1938-circa1942

Bill Gardiner, circa 1942

John Barber, 1949-1952

Eddie Kleeson, 1956-1984

John and Molly Beach, 1956-1984

Mark and Wendy Smith, 1984-1987

Andrew Bishop, 1987-1988

New Zealand Government, 1988

SignificanceThis tiller represents the vessel AKARANA which played a role in competitive sailing in Australia and New Zealand. The vessel became a symbol of the link between the two countries when it was given as a Bi-Centennial gift to the Australian Government by New Zealand.