Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Decorative tiller from AKARANA
Decorative tiller from AKARANA

Decorative tiller from AKARANA

Designer
Builder
Date1888
Object number00008980
NameTiller
MediumKauri wood
Dimensions2.3 kg
ClassificationsVessels and fittings
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from David Leigh
DescriptionThis decorative tiller is from the gaff cutter AKARANA, designed and built by Robert Logan in New Zealand. The slightly curved carved tiller features a plait pattern, imitating rope work, and a round plain head. It functioned as a handle to move the rudder and steer the vessel and was used by various owners onboard AKARANA from the 1880s to the 1930s.HistoryAKARANA was built in Auckland, New Zealand in 1888 by Robert Logan, an established boat builder in 19th century New Zealand. It was primarily built as a racing vessel and its name derived from the Maori word for Auckland. ARKARNA was shipped by Logan to Melbourne specifically for the 1888 Centennial International Regatta to be held late in the year. In the Melbourne regatta AKARANA won a lead up event and then one of the feature races on the programe, but faired poorly in another two races when gear failed early on each time. It then came to Sydney for the Anniversary Regatta in 1889, and won the race for its class on handicap. Logan then sold the boat in Sydney but the new owner and other subsequent owners used the AKARANA mainly for cruising. It was well known on Sydney Harbour and Broken Bay, and sailed up the Hawkesbury River toward Windsor on one expedition. Over many years ARKARNA underwent a number of changes to its keel, rig and layout. After having numerous owners the ARKANA became neglected in Sydney Harbour up until 1987 when the New Zealand Government purchased the yacht. They funded a major restoration project and AKARANA became a Bi-Centennial gift from New Zealand to Australia in 1988. Previous owners of AKARANA John S Abraham, 1889-1899 Calveley C McEwen, 1899-1901 Charles H Relph, 1901-1902 Kenneth I Love, 1902-1907 George Robinson, 1907-1909 James A Ingham, 1909-1910 Frederick R Poole, 1910-1913 Charles DW Wray, 1913-1915 Frank O Day, 1915 Henry V Carr, 1915 Henry C Pritchard, 1916 Jack, Mim and Roy Leigh, 1916-1938 Gordon Butcher, 1938-circa1942 Bill Gardiner, circa 1942 John Barber, 1949-1952 Eddie Kleeson, 1956-1984 John and Molly Beach, 1956-1984 Mark and Wendy Smith, 1984-1987 Andrew Bishop, 1987-1988 New Zealand Government, 1988 SignificanceThis tiller represents the vessel AKARANA which played a role in competitive sailing in Australia and New Zealand. The vessel became a symbol of the link between the two countries when it was given as a Bi-Centennial gift to the Australian Government by New Zealand.