 The tug in 2018 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 New Zealand | |
| Name | William C Daldy |
| Namesake | William Daldy |
| Owner |
|
| Port of registry | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Builder | Lobnitz & Company, Renfrew |
| Yard number | 986 |
| Launched | 1 October 1935 |
| Completed | 1935 |
| Commissioned | February 1936[1] |
| Identification |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Tugboat |
| Tonnage | 346 GRT 323 GT |
| Length | 119.0 ft (36.3 m) |
| Beam | 32.1 ft (9.8 m) |
| Depth | 13.9 ft (4.2 m) |
| Installed power | 1,960 ihp |
| Propulsion | 2 x coal-fired steam engines, with 3 furnaces each |
| Speed | 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph) |
| Notes | Main source:[2] |
William C Daldy is a historic steam-powered tugboat operating on the Waitematā Harbour, in Auckland, New Zealand. Named after William Crush Daldy, an Auckland politician, she was built in 1935 and is still an active vessel, maintained by an enthusiast preservation society which charters her out for functions and cruises.
History
The tug was built in 1935 by Lobnitz & Company in Renfrew, Scotland for the Auckland Harbour Board. She has a bollard pull of about 17 tons, and is fired by two coal-burning boilers,[2] making her one of the strongest such tugs still afloat.[3]
In 1958, she prevented one of the pre-assembled main sections of the Auckland Harbour Bridge (then just being constructed over the Waitematā Harbour) from being damaged or lost in a major storm. Strong winds had come up as a construction barge was floating the 1,200-ton structure section into place, and manoeuvring boats were unable to keep it under control. The William C Daldy took up station and kept up the pull for over 36 uninterrupted hours before the wind subsided, burning 40 tons of coal.[4]
The harbour board were intending in 1977 to dispose of the tug for scrapping, but she was instead leased in 1978 (and in 1989 purchased for $1) by an enthusiast organisation, the William C Daldy Preservation Society, which subsequently kept her in working trim, hiring her out for functions and charter cruises. Latterly the vessel was docked in Viaduct Harbour in Auckland city centre, though she had a number of berths around the harbour over time.[5]
In May 2023 it was revealed that, following a period of reduced income and maintenance during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently, the cost of survey and repairs to maintain her seaworthiness and certification to carry passengers in September would be about NZ$1 million, requiring urgent funding support.[6]
References
- ↑ Millatt, Tony. "The 1935 steam tug "William C Daldy"". Dudley: Friends of President. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2008.
- 1 2 "William C Daldy". Clydeships. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
- ↑ Bailey, Robin (20 January 2007). "Old ladies take to the drink". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
- ↑ "Daldy Saves Aucklands' Harbour Bridge". Auckland: W C Daldy Preservation Society. Archived from the original on 22 September 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
- ↑ Rudman, Brian (29 January 2008). "Chugging around on a summer's day". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
- ↑ Williams, Caroline (7 May 2023). "Sink or swim: The future of Aotearoa's largest operating steam ship is at risk". Stuff. Wellington, New Zealand: Stuff Ltd. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
External links
- The Tug William C Daldy Society Inc (official website)