Auckland's Steam Tug 'William C Daldy'

[@brucerogermorgan2388]

Wonderful video and memories. I was volunteer crew on board this amazing vessel for two years, about 40 years ago. My post was to run the main towing winch when docking and undocking. Unfortunately, due to personal and family commitments I was unable to continue. I loved serving on board her.

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

I'm glad you liked it and it helped you re-live some fond memories. The ship surely appreciates your contributions to her.

[@wanglydiaplt]

Beautiful clean engine room!!

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

It sure is!

[@VikOlliver]

I went for a sail on her circa Y2K and on the return trip a mishap meant thrust was not reversed as we came to the dock, and we hit a mooring post outside the harbourmasters with a helluva bang. Broke the pier, one of our party got flipped down the stairs and was carried off in an ambulance. Our bunch saw it coming and braced, but she was on the other side. Quite exciting...

[@andymack5093]

In memory of 2 great seamen, firstly the late (great) Captain G. R. (Bob) Keyworth who (along with the mate Ross Norgrove) personally handled the Daldy for 36 hours straight holding the center span of the (then) under construction Auckland Harbour Bridge in the eye of a severe North Easterly gale, and the late (also great) Neil Hudson who was instrumental in saving the tug years later from the breakers on her retirement from the Auckland Harbour Board and forming the William C Daldy Society.... RIP Bob & Neil (and I suspect Ross too by now, sadly...).

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

Thank you for memorializing them. The ship and the people that served and saved her have earned their places on the pedestals of history. I believe Neil just recently passed?

[@andymack5093]

@@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE Yes, sadly Neil "paid off" on August 11 (2024) in Kerikeri (Bay of Islands), a great friend, a walking nautical historian, ex USSCo, ex AHB, an excellent master of towboats and his last command "Hikanui" the massive floating crane. In Neils last few days, he was greatly heartened to hear of a possible benefactor in helping with the Willaim C Daldy.....

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

@@andymack5093 I wish I had gotten this video out sooner.

[@riderstrano783]

Absolutely stunning!

[@rhavrane]

Bonjour Wesley, Many thanks for this video, how lucky you were to be able to do it. What a pity that this boat is so far from France, we have not any one like this one remaining functional today. An also a special thank you for the final whistle, I agree with you, it is the best medecine of our steam passion. C'est fini 😉 Amicalement, Raphaël

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

Bonjour Raphaël, I am happy you enjoyed the video. It is a shame there aren't more preseves throughout the world. If you can't make it to thw Southern Hemisphere, perhaps a trip a bit to the West will suffice. The S.S. Shieldhall in Southampton, UK has the same machinery (same builders dimensions on the engines), albeit almost 20 years newer. I'm happy you engioyed the final clips, and final note 🤓 ~Cheers

[@mrivantchernegovski3869]

In the 80s at Sea Cadets TS Acillies in Okahu bay ,one of my friends there was something to do with that tug ,Big guy called Strom was was maybe 17 in the 80s

[@ident42]

Hey, when are you going to come up to Seattle and check out my ship, the Virginia V?

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

On the bucket list!

[@benrobertson7855]

I thought the ernslaw was the biggest steam ship operating in nz?

[@danielhicks7141]

Earnslaw is longer, but Daldy is greater tonnage and more powerful

[@benrobertson7855]

Thanks,semantics on bigger. I worked on the ex steam tug Rakinui , still lots of her history remaining , even as she was outer harbour limits….she was a lovely ship, had sea water down her stack a few times, a experience to be standing on the wheel house sides in 70 kns ,looking at that oh so dark water….but aways came back…… There is a photo of her and the Daldy pulling a section of the harbour bridge into place. thanks.

[@bigkiwimike]

Lovely to see her again. I volunteered many weekends during the 80’s and 90’s. Was part of the crew that took her to the Bay of Islands in 1990.

[@johnutting9615]

Question for the crew, have the hull repairs be completed and have you found a steam ticketed skipper and lastly have you managed to fund the summer season with a berth at city side ? Cheers john u

[@danielhicks7141]

She hasn't gone on the slip yet, but boilers are all ready to go. She has a skipper. Beyond that is going to depend on slipping.

[@johnutting9615]

@@danielhicks7141 thank you,there was the scare that she could have been laid up pending break up,the fate of her sister the Lyttleton 2 in 1972.

[@danielhicks7141]

@johnutting9615 she is still at risk, if the funds to complete the slipping work are not sufficient. Hopefully though she come through it ok.

[@johnutting9615]

@@danielhicks7141 I will keep my fingers crossed for you,I visited the ship some thing like8 or 9 years ago while I was building a model of Lyttleton 2 from a set of the original ship yard plans and it was quite an experiance as I knew what I was to find behind each door.The engine room was fantastic as I powered my model with a twin cylinder double acting slide valve engine. Best for the future.

[@hastuart9639]

My Grandfather was certified as a Master in Steam and Sail, but these days I doubt a Masters Certificate would say Steam or Motor, on the bridge he uses the telegraph to comunicate what movement he wants , I don't suppose what type of propulsion it is in Dingly Dell matters as long as they give him it.