Grand old scow needs surgery

The classic scow Jane Gifford is rotting just eight years after a major refit, but enthusiasts are determined to do the job properly this time, reports SUZANNE McFADDEN.

The Jane Gifford is rotting away, but a bunch of devotees will not let it die - even if it costs $1 million.

The classic old scow, now in its 93rd year, has been restored before - just eight years ago. But the job was not done properly and rot has set in below the deck.

The Jane Gifford is the last original sailing scow in Auckland, and one of a few surviving in the country. It is recognised as a global maritime treasure.

A group of six men and women has been entrusted with arranging another restoration, and raising the money to do it.

"I would be surprised if it doesn't cost $1 million," says trustee John Street.

"But it's now or never. If we don't do something now she will fall apart and eventually sink. And that would be sad."

It is not known how sick the Jane Gifford is, but the prognosis is not good.

The 22m vessel motored up from its home at the Waiuku Museum to the Onehunga Wharf this week.

The 20m masts were removed yesterday so the scow can be lifted out of the water by two cranes next week.

Then it will be put on a truck for the drive across the city to Okahu Bay, where the refit will take place.

The first step will be to tear off the deck and discover how deep the rot has crept.

In the last restoration project, which spanned seven years, a new macrocarpa deck was laid over the old kauri boards.

"But now water has got through and gone into the beams," Mr Street says.

"Until we lift the deck we won't know how bad it has got. But on first report, the damage is pretty serious."

Sailing enthusiasts are not prepared to see a piece of New Zealand sailing history slip into a muddy grave.

The Jane Gifford was built in 1908 by Davey Darroch, whose grandfather came to New Zealand in 1842 aboard a ship of the same name.

For its first 30 years, the scow plied the waters between Northland and the Bay of Plenty, carrying sand, shingle and timber.

It was fitted with engines and bought by renowned master seaman Bert Subritzky, who used it for cargo runs between Great Barrier Island and Half Moon Bay.

In 1985, he decided his "good little ship" deserved a rest, and gave it to the Waiuku Museum Society.

The restoration to turn it back into a grand sailing boat turned out to be a virtual rebuild costing $250,000.

Unemployed labour and volunteers were used to hammer in more than 4000 nails and 3000 bolts. The Jane Gifford was then supposed to have a second sailing life, but began to deteriorate after a few years.

Clyde Hamilton, president of the museum society, says the town is pleased to see the reconstruction finally going ahead.

The society could not raise the money needed, so it handed the project to a group of sailing specialists, who set up the Jane Gifford Charitable Trust.

This time, the work will be done by professional boatbuilders. The task now is to find the money.

Once the scow returns home, it could be the centre of renewed attention. There are plans to extend the Glenbrook Vintage Railway tracks through Waiuku and out on to the Jane Gifford wharf.

* Another classic boat from Auckland's rich sailing past is on its way to the America's Cup 150th jubilee.

Ranger, the A-class keeler that dominated the Auckland yachting scene for four decades, is on a ship bound for England.

Ranger was built in 1937 by Lou Tercel and underwent a major refit during the past two years.

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will also be represented by three other boats in Cowes: America's Cup pioneer boat KZ7, cup-winner NZL32 and modern racing yacht Shockwave.

www.nzherald.co.nz/marine