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Rumbelow Boats
The sailing boat Zephyr was built in 1873 built by R. Playfair & Sons and launched in Port Adelaide, South Australia.
Zephyr's first owner was a notable identity in the South Australian colony, Supreme Court Judge Sir William Henry Bundy. ‘The Judge’, who was was also a state MP, commissioned Zephyr as a sea-going cutter of 22 tons. He wanted a boat in which “three or four companions could be comfortably entertained”. She was designed by William Taylor and built in huon pine by Robert Playfair in Adelaide.
She raced succesfully for 20 years, before being converted to a fishing boat, plying the treacherous waters around Kangaroo Island for nearly 100 years. The Zephyr was skippered by Mr. Graham Rumbelow in the mid-1970s.
She underwent a full restoration in 1993, but has since, once again, slid into a state of disrepair.
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Owners: Edwin Daw
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BEWARE OF SHARKS!
BEWARE OF SHARKS!
Two views of the 10 it. 6 in. White Pointer shark, which was caught a fortnight ago from Mr. Enoch Polk's fishing cutter Zephyr while the "boat was lying at anchor in Kingscote Harbour. The White Pointer is not, very common locally and is one of the most dangerous man-eating secies.
KANGAROO ISLAND SHIPWRECKS
KANGAROO ISLAND SHIPWRECKS
On Friday 12th May 1974, the Ekalta,skippered by Mr. Gus Mere, with crewmen Jerislom Sarunic, Roman Brycewicz, and Mario Zakovitz, sailed from Victor Harbor for the continental shelf, south of Cape Willoughby, with a full moon and a flat calm sea they set approximately three miles of shark lines 70 miles south of the cape Willoughby Lighthouse.
While picking up the lines Mr. Mere noticed that the barometer was falling rapidly. A strong wind warning was issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, and Mr. Mere decided to head to Cape Willoughby for shelter. At 5.15 p.m. the shark lines were onboard and the Ekalta was steaming towards Cape Willoughby.
About 20 miles out the Cape Willoughby lighthouse lght was sighted and the automatic pilot was set for the light. All of the crew turned in except Mr. Sarunic, who took the helm, Mr. Mere gave instructions that he was to be woken when they were within two miles of the coast. Mr. Sarunic fell asleep at the helm, and at 2.r5 a.m. on saturday 13th May 1974, the Ekaltaran aground onto rocks in Windmill Bay, within sight of the cape Willoughby Lighthouse.
Mr. Mere, who was asleep in the foclle was thrown from his bunk onto the floor, picked himself up and got to the wheelhouse as quickly as he could. He immediately grabbed the helm, switched off the automatic pilot, and put the engine astern. The Ekalta was stuck fast and would not move. A quick inspection was made below decks and it was found that the planks on the starboard side, in the vicinity of the engine room, were sprung, and it was filling with water quickly.
Two other fishing vessels, the Zephyr and the Norma,were anchored in the bap the zephyr narrowly being missed as the Ekalta steamed through. A dinghy was launched from the Ekalta, and the two fishing boats in the bay were alerted.
The Zephyr, skippered by Mr. Graham Rumbelow, attempted to tow her off, but she would not move. The Norma, skippered by Mr. Jack Hoffner also tried but she would not. During the night the radar was transferred to tt" Nor*oby dinghy.
On Sunday morning at 7 a.m. Mr. Mere radioed Mrs. Dulcie Smith at the Kingscote Radio station advising her of the situation, and asked her to notify captain Tu/o., the Marine and Insurance assessor.
At 8 a.m. Mrs. Smith telephoned local abalone diver, Mr. Gifford chapman, and informed him of the situation. with Messrs. Lance Tyley, Roger Williams, and Kingsley Chapman, they drove to Cape Willoughby to inspect the Ekalta.
Arriving there at 10 a.m. they found the vessel to be about 50 yards from the shore lying on her starboard side in about six feet of water. At this stage, there appeared to be very little damage. After putting on their diving gear, and swimming out to the vessel, a thorough inspection was made of the hull.
Zephyr
Zephyr
Our restoration Project for the public
https://www.fjdarley.com.au/zephyr-1873
Australia's oldest known yacht, the Zephyr arrived at Seaworks on Tuesday to begin a new life after being purchased by our resident shipwright F J Daley. 5th March 2024.
Background
Background
The vessel 'Zephyr' was created by William Taylor and crafted by Robert Playfair. Initially launched in August 1873 for Henry Bundey, the first Vice Commodore of the South Australian Yacht Club. She excelled in racing during her early years, winning 11 out of 13 races. Subsequently, her sails were adjusted slightly to cater more towards a cruising yacht approach. After being purchased by Richard Honey in 1880, 'Zephyr' resumed racing for another 13 years, participating in the Inter-Colonial Race in Melbourne in 1880 where she finished second to 'Edith'. Transitioning into a fishing boat in 1893, she became a local fixture in Kangaroo Island. Over the years, Zephyr changed ownership multiple times before falling into Ebenezer Polk’s hands in 1919. Even after all these years, 'Zephyr' was still operational and when the 'SS Pareora' ran aground she played a crucial role as the first responder, saving numerous lives.
Australia's oldest yacht saved
Australia's oldest yacht saved
Australia's oldest yacht saved. To undergo full restoration. (source: F. J. Darley)
Reputedly Australia’s oldest yacht, the 1873 built cutter Zephyr has been purchased and is set to undergo a full restoration.
After many years of neglect on the hardstand at Yaringa Boat Harbour in Victoria, and facing a dire future, Zephyr has been purchased by individuals from Melbourne, and is set to undergo a full restoration at F J Darley Shipwrights, at Seaworks in Williamstown. It is hoped that she will become a project to educate the next batch of budding shipwrights.
The CYAA is proud to have been able to contribute and will look at ways that it can assist with what will be an exciting journey for all involved.
A restoration of this magnitude will not be cheap and we hope to be able to announce in the near future ways that the public, and interested sponsors may be able to contribute.
Zephyr was designed by William Taylor and built by Robert Playfair in Port Adelaide. She was commissioned by South Australian Supreme Court Judge, MP and Past-Commodore of the South Australian Yacht Club, Sir William Bundey. She was launched in August 1873 to great fanfare.
She raced succesfully for 20 years, before being converted to a fishing boat, plying the treacherous waters around Kangaroo Island for nearly 100 years.
She underwent a full restoration in 1993, but has since, once again, slid into a state of disrepair.
Yaringa Harbour owner Stefan Borzecki with the Zephyr, which he says should be restored and placed in a museum. Picture: David Smith
Australia’s oldest yacht, languishing in dry dock
Australia’s oldest yacht, languishing in dry dock
Mornington Peninsula Leader
July 14, 2017
Allison Harding
A YACHT believed to be Australia’s oldest is languishing in dry dock in a Western Port harbour — and the owner says even museums don’t want the historic vessel.
A VESSEL believed to be Australia’s oldest yacht is languishing in dry dock on a Western Port harbour.
The 1873 Zephyr has been “opening up” on the boards at Yaringa Harbour, near Hastings, since the end of 2012, with nobody regularly tending to the craft.
The boat’s American owner, Jim Madigan, told Leader he was hoping to visit Australia this year to “deal” with the issue.
He said there had been no interest from Australian museums, with one not even wanting it as a donation.
Mr Madigan bought Zephyr in 1994, but said his ownership of the boat had “not been a good experience”.
The curator of historic vessels at the Australian National Maritime Museum, David Payne, said the yacht — a seagoing cutter — had been in reasonable condition only several years ago when it sailed to Tasmania for a wooden boat festival.
He believed Zephyr must be “very close” to the country’s earliest yacht.
The boat was commissioned by the South Australian Supreme Court judge and MP Sir William Bundy.
Mr Payne said the boat had a fascinating history and was understood to be one of the oldest, perhaps the oldest in the country.
“It is a very early vessel, and it’s very regionally important to South Australia — there’s no doubt about that.”
The historic vessel is in need of restoration. Picture: David Smith
The owner of Yaringa Harbour, Stefan Borzecki, said Zephyr needed to be restored and should ideally be in a museum.
“I’m happy to load it onto a truck and send it off to where it needs to go,” he said.
Mr Payne said he would welcome the registration of Zephyr in the Australian National Maritime Museum’s register of historic vessels.
The State Government last year gave Mr Borzecki the go-ahead for a $95 million expansion of Yaringa Harbour into a tourism, residential, marine and conference centre.
Yaringa Harbour wins long-running fight for $95 million expansion after years of delay
Developers are now circling the 1 Lumeah Rd, Somerville, site — which has a price guide of about $15 million.
ABOUT A BOAT
Zephyr was built R. Playfair & Sons and launched in South Australia in 1873.
American Jim Madigan is the ninth owner of Zephyr, which was built with Huon pine for Supreme Court judge Sir Henry Bundy.
The vessel is believed to be the oldest recreational yacht in Australia — she raced until 1893, and was then used as a fishing boat around Kangaroo Island.
She last sailed off Tasmania in a wooden boat festival several years ago.
Zephyr is not currently listed on the Australian National Maritime Museum’s register of historic boats.
Australia’s Oldest Yacht?
Australia’s Oldest Yacht?
29 Nov, 2023
https://southernwoodenboatsailing.com/news/this-item-is-offered-pick-up-only-australias-oldest-yacht
I’m always a little sceptical about claims like that… is it really? Type into Google “Australia’s oldest yacht” and the first three entries seem to corroborate the claim, listing ZEPHYR sitting forlornly on on an Altona back block (Victoria), as the holder of this title.
Launched in 1873, her first owner was a notable identity in the South Australian colony, Supreme Court Judge Sir William Henry Bundy. ‘The Judge’, who was was also a state MP, commissioned ZEPHYR as a sea-going cutter of 22 tons. He wanted a boat in which “three or four companions could be comfortably entertained”. She was designed by William Taylor and built in huon pine by Robert Playfair in Adelaide. Another local craftsman, William Russell, made the sails.
The Judge learned to sail on ZEPHYR and became one of Australia’s great cruising yachtsmen, eventually writing a book of his sailing memories, including his special fondness for ZEPHYR The book also featured Port Lincoln and the town subsequently became the terminus for South Australia’s largest annual yachting event, the Adelaide – Port Lincoln Week.
At the time of launching, the Adelaide Observer newspaper described ZEPHYR as having “Huon pine for planking and Kauri Pine for the deck, elm bent timbers and gum floors every four feet of her length. Cemented inside as high as the light water-line ‘ copper and brass are the only metals used ‘ the hull had a great rise of floor and a fine entry, but was filled out above the waterline to provide buoyancy in heavy seas. The upright stem and the long overhanging taffrail and square stern were thoroughly approved of in a yacht of this size, although some sailors despised the square stern.”
The newspaper reported ZEPHYR’s launch at Port Adelaide on 25 August 1873 in great detail.
“There were fair ladies and brave men present – the horny handed sons of toil, members of Parliament and members of the press, sea captains in full commission and sea captains who had long given up the idea.
“The band played 'Rule Britannia'. The yacht lay on her ways like a lady adorned for a ball. Garlands and wreaths of flowers decorated each end. In our colony matters of this kind should be treated as they really deserve.”
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