Otago Harbour Ferry Incorporated was registered in August 2004 as an incorporated society with the objectives of having the Elsie Evans restored to a seaworthy condition, and operating her again on the Otago Harbour as a ferry and excursion vessel for residents and tourists. We see this as an ideal opportunity to restore and preserve an authentic part of Dunedin’s maritime heritage.

Elsie Evans

The Elsie Evans was built in Auckland in 1901 by the firm of Charles Bailey Jnr, a contemporary and competitor of the Logan Brothers. Both firms were builders of classic yachts which are now much admired by overseas buyers. Her construction is of kauri, with double-diagonal planking over stringers, with carvel planking over all. She was built as the first pilot boat for the Timaru Harbour Board, and named after the wife of the chairman, William Evans.

She was replaced in 1927 and was brought to Dunedin. From 1928 she worked as a launch towing bargers and servicing other craft including flying boats. She was a passenger ferry from 1943 to 1954 regularly plying the waters between Port Chalmers and Portobello. She was licensed to carry 37 people.

Then she was taken out of the water and passed through a succession of owners until she was eventually gifted to the South Canterbury Historical Society in Timaru. There is now an ownership agreement between that Society and Otago Harbour Ferry Inc, which includes the provision that if restoration does not take place, the vessel will be returned to Timaru.

Restoration

It is necessary to have the vessel professionally restored, under survey, so that she can be licensed to carry passengers. The restoration project is to be carried out in two stages. The first stage is to make the hull seaworthy by replacing unsound timbers, strengthening the frame and re-fastening the three skins to the frame. In late 2006, funding of the $73,000 required for this stage was completed and a contract with boat builders Miller & Tunnage Ltd to carry out the work involved was entered into. Work commenced on the hull restoration in February 2007 and is expected to take four to five months to complete.

Stage two involves the reconstruction of the floor, deck and superstructure, installing the engine and running gear, fitting out and associated work in generally getting the vessel up and running. Funding for this stage will commence as soon as quotes for this work and the engine have been obtained.

It is hoped to have the project completed in 2008 at an expected total cost of approximately $170,000.

So far we have received the following charitable grants and donations totalling $80,000:

The photos on this page show the progress of the restoration work in May 2007.

Below is our general concept of her appearance after restoration. We wish to acknowledge the assistance of Port Otago Ltd, SGS NZ Ltd, Marine Surveyors, and Diesel & Power Systems NZ Ltd.

The Elsie Evans measures 42 foot in length with a beam of 8 1/2 ft and a draft of 3 ft 3 inches.

Help restore our maritime heritage - Join today

Subscriptions are $38 for one person, and $50 for a family (any number in the same household). Membership application forms are available from the Chairperson, Shem Sutherland (03 478 0548), or shemcolour@hotmail.com, or the Secretary, Ian Milne (03 488 4205) or ian.milne@clear.net.nz. Enquiries may also be made to the Treasurer, Hugh Montgomery (03 467 9444) or committee members Mike Dewar (03 472 7436), Peter Cole (03 472 7505) or Rod Thompson (03 488 4436).

We have a monthly committee meeting, usually on the third Thursday evening of the month, which all members and interested persons are welcome to attend.

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