The only specialised marine publication in Oceania that focuses on the maritime industry, from super yachts to small craft to large commercial ships, including coastal shipping, tugs, tow boats, barges, ferries, tourist, sport-fishing craft
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coastal characters The Franich Brothers and their T Lady Kay – PART 1 Waiwera , converte originally Water d into a Witch, b u motor la unch in th ilt in 1861 and e 1900s BY BADEN PASCOE I t is hard to imagine the volume of commercial rcial para shipping that once plied the waters of the Kaipara oted Harbour and Wairoa River. I have heard it quoted han that the Kaipara Harbour has more shoreline than any other harbour in the world. on, I personally don't know if that is fact or fiction, ng but it certainly has more than a few rivers flowing ve into its waters and its layout makes an impressive g environment for water-based transport. In reading s the old books there is a heap of interesting stories and Dargaville is a friendly little town with a great museum where one can learn some of this history. The town is a perfect weekend away for a family to discover all sorts of stuff – and that's what we did, hence this story. One morning while walking along the riverbank, I noticed the stern of a nice looking little work boat. I thought to myself, "wonder what stories she can tell." The next day I ran usiness into Kelly Hansen, who runs a boat building business with his brother John, right where this nice little work boat was berthed. He put me onto a bunch of old salts who were in a caravan acting d as an office for Kaipara Water Transport Limited and who owned the boat. I went over, had a chat to these boys and the stories started to flow. They put me onto Zach Matich, the grandson of one of her original owners. Lady Kay is the name of the little work horse that caught my eye and she is the sole tug for Kaipara Water Transport Ltd, which is now owned by Wayne Eyles. This business has an interesting history. According to Zach's late grandfather, George Franich, the roots of the company go back to the early 1950s and it was started by Peter Sunde, who ran the 28 foot towing launch Waiwera (formerly Water Witch). Peter sold out to George Franich and his brother Johnny (Jack) in 1955. At this time both George and Johnny were fishing out of Ruawai with their launches Irene and Estralita and they wanted a break from fishing. Peter took Irene, plus a cash payment, and retired. He remained living on the yard in an old army hut and often gave a hand when one of the brothers was berthing the barges single handed. So off went George and Johnny with Waiwera and two wooden barges Fransen (35 yards) and Hansen (28 yards) and landing their sand at their yard in Mangawhare, the same site where the yard is now. Their trading name was simply Franich Brothers Ltd. George and Johnny soon learnt that loading the barges with shovel and barrow was more than hard work, so after the very first trip they b bought a brand new Ferguson tractor – a Fergie – with a back scoop that held a quarter of a yard. Johnny recalled that for the next tr they loaded 63 yards in eight hours. The Fergie was going trip nonst as George and Johnny took turns at the controls. nonstop By 1957 things were going well; sand was selling so they decid to upgrade their launch. They wanted a brand new decided boat that would meet their needs in future years, so off they wen to Tutukaka to chat to Ces Watson, an ex Charles Bailey went emp employee who had designed and built a nice boat. He drew up a good looking little 38 footer with a compromise stern and the price was right so the deal was done. Engine choice wa easy, they were good mates with Shorty Sefton, so was the ordered a brand new 6LW Gardner. However, none they w available so they had to make do with the 5LW. I can were im imagine a smile on Shorty's face, as he thought the five c cylinder configuration was the perfect motor. The boat was b built, launched and Ces and the brothers steamed her out t the Hen and Chicken Islands where they found suitable to r rocks for ballast. Then she was slipped and trucked over land and launched at the Northern Wairoa Boating Club. ich hnny Fran rge and Jo They named her Lady Kay after their first born niece. ay, L-R Geo dy K ners of La Proud ow The next step up was a larger barge, and at that time the Dargav Borough Council were selling off their 60 yard wooden Dargaville 30 Professional Skipper f July/August 2013 www.skipper.co.nz