Builder's certificate for AKARANA

Date1894

Object number00001316

NameCertificate

MediumInk on paper

Dimensions445 x 284 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from John Beach MBE

Terms

DescriptionThis builder's certificate for the 39-foot gaff cutter AKARANA was signed by the builder Robert Logan in North Shore Auckland, witnessed by Thomas Wells and dated 3 September 1894. This certificate was completed for AKARANA's registration with the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.
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 transliteration of the English place name 'Auckland'. AKARANA was shipped by Logan to Melbourne specifically for the 1888 Centennial International Regatta to be held later in the year. In the Melbourne regatta, AKARANA won a lead up event and then one of the feature races on the programme but fared poorly in another two races when the 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 AKARANA underwent a number of changes to its keel, rig and layout. After having numerous owners, the AKARANA became neglected in Sydney Harbour up until 1987 and 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 builder's certificate documents the construction of the New Zealand-built yacht AKARANA, which contributed to competitive Australian sailing during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.