21 September 2018

Take a trip back in time aboard the historic steam tugboat the William C Daldy during the Auckland Heritage Festival.

Ports of Auckland are proud to announce the return of the historic William C Daldy steam tugboat tours as part of the Auckland Heritage Festival for the tenth year running! Tours aboard the 83-year-old tug will occur every Saturday and Sunday during the festival, which runs from 29 September to 14 October.

The theme for this year’s Auckland Heritage Festival is ‘Ngā iwi o Tāmaki Makaurau – Celebrating the heritage of our people’. Captain Keith Ingram and the crew of volunteers showcase how the people of Auckland used to work and travel. Fun fact: the tugboat is named after William ‘Crush’ Daldy, the first chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board.

Experience an all access journey aboard this floating piece of history; discover the inner workings of the steam tugboat by visiting the engine room, the heat of the boiler room and the wheelhouse up top. Each cruise will be accompanied by a detailed commentary on Auckland's maritime heritage.

These family-friendly tours will cruise through the port's wharves at work and under the Auckland Harbour Bridge where the Daldy once famously saved a piece from floating away during its construction in 1958.

The cost of these sailings are fully funded by Ports of Auckland and proceeds from ticket sales go to the William C Daldy Preservation Society, a group of volunteers who keep the Daldy afloat for Aucklanders to enjoy. A portion will also go to the Ports of Auckland Education Programme which helps subsidise the cost of transport for schools visiting the city to take one of the port's free, year-round school boat tours.

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