Gypsy T boned - sunk - then raised from the bottom.

[Steveh]

Some of you might have missed this remarkable incident as it popped up in a JohnB and his stripper thread.

A very sad end to a beautiful Logan yacht. Fortunately the owner John Pryor and his partner Jill Hetherington escaped with there lives intact albeit Jill remains in hospital with a chipped pelvis and some other cuts and bruises.

Two days ago she was salvaged and is rather beaten up but fixable. There has been offers, I believe to rebuild, such is the classic yacht fraternity here in New Zealand. Gypsy was sunk right in the way of a cruise ship wharf so there was no way she could remain in her watery grave and the depth of water was not significant.

Snow also added 'A pictorial salute to Gypsy' thread but as there is little response I think the thread has gone to sleep.

http://classicyacht.org.nz/forum/vie...php?f=4&t=1575

http://classicyacht.org.nz/forum/vie...hp?f=10&t=1559

[skuthorp]

Thanks for reposting the link. It was a tragedy just avoided when she was run down and it is very good news that Gypsy will be repaired. I presume the hull must still be more or less intact.

[Steveh]

Starboard side is completely stoved in, It would be considered a total write off. But as with most classics she is far too important to maritime history to just let go.

[Thad]

Thanks Steve, and Snow too.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Was the Captain of Anteus charged?

[Thad]

He did the right thing, stopping and assisting, except saying he couldn't see Gypsy is to say he wasn't looking. I saw no mention of apology or recompense. It is a wonder.

[Duncan Gibbs]

Steve, any chance of reposting the shots here: I'm just getting a "do not have permission to view files" message.

Glad to hear she's been raised!

[Steveh]

Thought that might happen. Here's the pics in random order.

[Steveh]

[Steveh]

[Steveh]

You'd have to say that's fairly powerful impact damage.

[Jase]

the portside cockpit seat has a large gouge in it, thats how far the bow of the other boat made it through, starting in the stb middle and heading aft, just wrecked everything in it's path.

[Duncan Gibbs]

Jesus wept! What a catastrophe!

The saving grace looks to be that the port side has retained its shape, as well as the ends of the starboard side. It really does make the ashcroft system of planking a boat an attractive idea with regard to having to deal with this kind of trauma.

Are the owners still the owners now it's been salvaged? What's the latest with regard to any legal and financial issues? How's the first mate recovering?

The rebuild will surely be used to provide more data and information on these wonderful old vessels?

[Larks]

Thanks for posting the pics and update Steve. I'll be interested to hear what happens with rebuilding.

[WX]

He did the right thing, stopping and assisting, except saying he couldn't see Gypsy is to say he wasn't looking. I saw no mention of apology or recompense. It is a wonder.

What a crying shame. The skippers comment reminded me of this ad.

[Willin']

Woof, what a tragedy. Anteus must have been hauling buns to cause such damage!

Condolences and best wishes for a speedy return to a healthy status for the owners and their lovely boat.

Would love to hear the details of the colision when they come to light.

[Garret]

Woof, what a tragedy. Anteus must have been hauling buns to cause such damage!

Condolences and best wishes for a speedy return to a healthy status for the owners and their lovely boat.

Would love to hear the details of the colision when they come to light.

Ditto. the Anteus skipper said he was motoring slowly? His slow must be 8 knots or so....

[Garret]

A 60 ft vessel carries a lot of way, 4 or 5 knots and what 15plus tons?

True - but even 4 or 5 knots in a crowded anchorage ain't slow. However, I will await accurate details before forming an opinion on fault.

[Willin']

Yeah but, that close to Princess Wharf, close enough to affect local shipping traffic, a busy thoroughfare under the best of conditions, that's a lot of variables. I'm trying to keep an open mind despite the obvious. No dog in the fight, it just seems too obvious to have ended up this badly.

[Larks]

Actually it wasnt an anchorage, it was through a racing fleet in light air in the harbour. Anteus was i presume on her way home. In any case the sobering thought is she sunk so quickly that anyone below would have been in All likelihood, drowned.

That's what seems so odd about this Paul, I just can't imagine another yachtsman being unaware that he was passing through a race fleet and not taking care to avoid hindering the line or maneuvering of the race yachts. It seems almost as if the skipper was driving through with the arrogant disregard of a Sydney Harbour ferry where the race yachts are expected to (and do) maneuver around the ferry.

[Redeye]

That seems to be some pretty serious damage.

As I understand it, these boats are not very heavily framed. Wonder how well she would have fared had she been plank on sawn frame?

R

[Steveh]

Redeye, I don't think any boat would have withstood this kind of collision. Viewed Gypsy this morning just before she was lifted onto a truck for transport to the Classic Boat School, Hobsonville, and the impact damage looked severe. Meaning any kind of construction just wouldn't have taken that sort of punishment. Interestingly it's been discovered Gypsy's hull is only double skinned. Inner diagonal about 1/2" and fore and aft planking 5/8".

[snow(Alan H)]

It seems almost as if the skipper was driving through with the arrogant disregard of a Sydney Harbour ferry where the race yachts are expected to (and do) maneuver around the ferry.

Just about sums it up - but u would not catch me posting that on the CYA NZ forum.

[Larks]

Just about sums it up - but u would not catch me posting that on the CYA NZ forum.

Maybe I should sign up there and repeat it, give them another good reason to whinge about Australians, (the underarm bowling is a bit old now)

[purri]

Just about sums it up - but u would not catch me posting that on the CYA NZ forum.

Nor a CYCA site in the disaster of the big SYD-HOB where their "commodore" was found insufficient and perhaps deficient in his comments. Pity the master of Margaret Rintoul who suffered the opprobrium of the mis"informed" masses.

[John B]

Interesting that she's two skin , also that she's described as 4 tonnes, I would have thought quite a bit more... 6 to 7.( maybe more 6)

and great news that she's gone out to the school, even its just evaluation right now.

[Chip-skiff]

The news coverage suggested that Gypsy had been broken in half. Perhaps it looked that way, as she went under. But the damage isn't as bad as I expected.

[Jase]

crane driver said she was almost 7 tons

[Zane Lewis]

I heard today that St Clair Brown will not be charged due to conflicting eye witness statments. Anyone heard more about this??
on the face of it I'm starting to get wound up about this. Big man in NZ yachting with contacts everywhere. At the very least I would have throught that the case needs to be aired pubilically not brushed aside.

Think I'm in a bitter mood tonight, also heard about the coverage of the marhurangi regatta in our local Boating mag. Great to get the coverage but again it focuses on the large A class and very classic racing boats and misses out on the hundreds of other boats that make up the numbers that actually make it an event that people go to.

Someone lift the mood now please.
Zane

[snow(Alan H)]

I heard today that St Clair Brown will not be charged due to conflicting eye witness statments. Anyone heard more about this??
on the face of it I'm starting to get wound up about this. Big man in NZ yachting with contacts everywhere. At the very least I would have throught that the case needs to be aired pubilically not brushed aside.

Someone lift the mood now please.
Zane

Zane
This is an odd place to 'air-the-dirty-laundry', better to voice your frustrations on the NZ site (link below)

http://classicyacht.org.nz/forum/vie...php?f=4&t=1625

[Larks]

Zane
This is an odd place to 'air-the-dirty-laundry', better to voice your frustrations on the NZ site (link below)

http://classicyacht.org.nz/forum/vie...php?f=4&t=1625

I don't think it is dirty laundry Alan, it is an important issue to us mongels accross the ditch as well and your Classic Yacht NZ forum is closed shop, I've never been able to get a log in anyway, just a little elitist perhaps??.

[snow(Alan H)]

I don't think it is dirty laundry Alan, it is an important issue to us mongels accross the ditch as well and your Classic Yacht NZ forum is closed shop, I've never been able to get a log in anyway, just a little elitist perhaps??.

All you have to do is ask Greg & we will set you up. I'll PM you.

Cheers Alan

ps restricts the 'Bilge' dwellers & ensure we stay true to the DNA i.e. "Promoting the ownership, preservation and restoration of Classic Yachts and Launches"

[Larks]

Well I take it all back and do indeed feel the complete mongrel now. Thanks Alan, much appreciated!!

[CapnJ2ds]

Not sure if it's correct, but have just heard that Maritime NZ will investigate after all, instead of leaving it up to the Auckland Harbour Master, who has less power to investigate and punish. If true, good! Also, if true, I wonder if the change of heart had anything to do with an article written by Keith Ingram, editor of "Professional Skipper" magazine, a bloke of forthright opinions who isn't afraid to state them.

[snow(Alan H)]

That would be good news.
Pro Skipper article below



Alan

[PaulT]

"opprobrium"... Holy Crap! 7:50am EST and I stumble across that. ... Thank you! I know it when I see it, but never knew what to call it. Assuming I can remember it long enough, I'll take great pleasure in using that one of these days.

Thanks purri. Seriously. A new word for me
PaulT

[snow(Alan H)]

Think I'm in a bitter mood tonight, also heard about the coverage of the marhurangi regatta in our local Boating mag. Great to get the coverage but again it focuses on the large A class and very classic racing boats and misses out on the hundreds of other boats that make up the numbers that actually make it an event that people go to.

Someone lift the mood now please.
Zane

Zane
You say you 'heard' so I assume you have not read the article. If you had you would have seen that the article was not general editorial on the 2012 regatta but was included in Harold Kidd's regular column 'Vintage Perspectives', talked about the history of the event & why people keep coming back.
Best to not post based on 'hearsay'

[Jay Greer]

Gawd, this really pisses me off! Normally I try to use a calm approach to such happenings. But, this one is too close to home. It is exactly why "Red Witch" is sitting in my shop and not out sailing.
Jay

[Zane Lewis]

Thanks Larks,
Alan, I have visited the CYNZ forum a few times but I guess I had a simalar experiance to Larks.
Anyway they may not want me, I'm selling my wooden verson of a 1940's racing yacht for a later model more compeditive glass version.
Flying Fifteen.

You are right re NZ boating article, I have not read the article personally but I am highlighting perceptions other people have related to me. I will go and find a copy over the next re days.

[snow(Alan H)]

Zane
Owning a wooden boat or even a classic is not a pre-requisite to (a) membership of the CYANZ (b) signing up for the CYA NZ forum. All you have to have is a passion for classic wooden boats. Sign up you might enjoy it

[johnno]

Zane
Owning a wooden boat or even a classic is not a pre-requisite to (a) membership of the CYANZ (b) signing up for the CYA NZ forum. All you have to have is a passion for classic wooden boats. Sign up you might enjoy it

Having enjoyed so many photos of the last regatta, and being a regular visitor to your shores, I had also looked at the CYANZ seeking to learn more about classic boats in NZ. I did baulk at the price of membership, being both far away and also not owning a classic (though I hope my build might become a classic one day ). However, you seem to suggest I can at least sign up for the forum without paying the actual membership fees. Is this right?
cheers
John

[snow(Alan H)]

Correct - all we ask is a name & an email address. If you PM me I can set it up

[Larks]

Cripes Alan, I might have started a rush on you over there mate.

[purri]

"opprobrium"... Holy Crap! 7:50am EST and I stumble across that. ... Thank you! I know it when I see it, but never knew what to call it. Assuming I can remember it long enough, I'll take great pleasure in using that one of these days.

Thanks purri. Seriously. A new word for me
PaulT

"Ordure" is another that warrants useage. (BTW there is always Ambrose Bierce's "Devil's Dictionary" to sharpen a rejoinder). Jest saying.

And for construction of sentences and grammar then Fowler's "Common English Useage" takes the cake.

BTW I have a whole raft of Aboriginal OZ languages' expressions that would not have any currency here as the implications would be lost. So I bide my time...

[snow(Alan H)]

Cripes Alan, I might have started a rush on you over there mate.

All good Greg. The more the merrier , we already have a lot of overseas members. One big difference with the NZ forum is that its moderated by 3 of the 'inmates' - JohnB, JasonP & myself (AlanH, or snow AlanH as on the WBF). So when someone drifts away from our DNA things can be sorted fast. Almost never do it, just the odd nutter. The 3 of us & our boats are all well known on the WBF.

[Zane Lewis]

I'll take you up on that Alan,

Just so you know I apprciate the purist view in other peoples boats when it comes to restoration however personally I tend to lean to a more moderate interpretation, ie love the look but need to keep it simple and practicle.
Zane

[Steveh]

There's finally been an outcome (somewhat ridiculous) to this tragic accident. There are some seriously pissed of folk here in Auckland with a slap in the face infringement.

http://classicyacht.org.nz/forum/vie...php?f=4&t=1625

[Full Tilt]

crane driver said she was almost 7 tons

Thats filled with 3 tonnes of shells, shingle and seaweed

[Larks]

There's finally been an outcome (somewhat ridiculous) to this tragic accident. There are some seriously pissed of folk here in Auckland with a slap in the face infringement.

http://classicyacht.org.nz/forum/vie...php?f=4&t=1625

Understantably so Steve, it really does seem like a ludicrous outcome, how would this have played out in NZ if it had been a traffic accident and the same level of fault (ie fail to give way) and injuries applied?

I guess we can only hope that the whole saga hasn't finished playing out as yet and that Charlie Brown is already in the process of preparing to make suitable reparations for the injuries, trauma and damage that his "proven" negligence has caused.

I also hope that this occurs outside of any public pressure to do so. I don't know the guy but that'd certainly not do his credibility any harm in the community.

[CapnJ2ds]

Seems my informant was misinformed. Count me also among the seriously pissed off folk. IMO Brown should at least have the decency to fund the repairs. Just had a look at "Gypsy" today, and it's a heartbreaking sight.