MV Kestrel

Ran to the Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter this morning. and took a photo of the Kestrel.

The Kestrel was launched in December 1905; it was the second of the Albtross class of ferry, and was built to connect Auckland with Devonport. It is built of 3 inch thick heart kauri planks, with 1 inch totara sheathing. It is 123 feet long, 28.5 feet wide and has a 9 foot draft. Initially it had a Fraser steam engine which was later replaced with a diesel engine.

In 1910 the Harbour Board chartered the Kestrel as a parliamentary yacht for a three hour trip on the harbour with munch for a party of MPs. In 1921it was replaced on the Auckland-Devonport run, and instead was used on the Birkenhead service until the Harbour Bridge opened in 1959.

Following the opening of the Harbour Bridge, the Kestrel returned to the Devonport service, and in 1982 was extensively refitted, including a fully carpeted restaurant, two bars, and a dance floor on the top deck. Eventually it was replaced as a ferry and was used only for excursion work.

In 2002 it was sold to a Tauranga businessman who sailed it to Tauranga to serve as a floating restaurant. This was a staggeringly unsuccessful venture, and eventually the Kestrel was purchased by the Kestrel Preservation Society in 2010, for $1,000. It was towed back to Auckland, arriving on Wednesday 01 December 2010. It has been tied up since then as funds are gathered for refurbishment.

Today was our election day. Shortly the counting will start.