letters

In quest of tales of old ships

I would be most grateful if you would publish this searcher in your letters to the editor page please.

I seek any information (in particular plans, half models, photographs) concerning the following sailing ships known to have plied the New Zealand and South Sea Islands waters circa 1870 to 1924, as all were mastered and or owned by my grandfather, the late Captain William Wallace Wilson, har bormaster to both the Cakobau and British governments in Fiji.

They were: 1. Cutter Wave, 15 tons, previously owned and mas tered by Captain Robinson, probably built in New Zealand. 2. Schooner Elizabeth, own ed in partnership with A. A.

Coubrough of Taveuni. Prob ably built in New Zealand. 3. Schooner Zephyr, built in New Zealand or the UK, of 100 tons plus. Later owned either by Bums Philp Ltd or W. R.

Carpenters. Said to be excep tionally fast and seaworthy. 4. Hermaphrodite Laura, possibly built by Baley Bros or Bailey & Lowe, New Zealand.

May have been 100 tons plus.

Said to have been a very fast vessel. 5. Schooner Helena, built by either Nicholson & Sons, Suva, or in New Zealand, later owned by Burns Philp (SS) Ltd, sold after World War II and wrecked in the New Hebrides or Solomons.

No records remain in Fiji because a colonial comptroller of Customs caused all old ships registers to be destroyed, de spite protests.

Would any person who may be able to assist please com municate with me at the address below.

W. W. T. Caldwell

P.O. Box 769 Lautoka Fiji

Burns Philp schooner Myrtle at Port Moresby Wharf in 1897. Reader W. W. T. Caldwell is seeking information on certain vessels of this type which plied the South Seas between 1870 and the early 19205. Photo from The History of Burns Philp The Australian Company in the South Pacific, 1981.