Vintage steam tug brings history to life

 
MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 2 September 2009 - for immediate release
 
 
Vintage steam tug brings history to life
 
Ports of Auckland is inviting Aucklanders to experience a ‘living’ part of the city’s maritime history through a series of free heritage tours during the upcoming Auckland Heritage Festival.
 
This year, for the first time, the tours will be hosted on board the historic steam tugboat, the William C Daldy.
 
“We are very excited to offer the Auckland public a chance to experience a part of their city’s history firsthand,” said Managing Director Jens Madsen.
 
Built in 1935, the William C Daldy was one of the Auckland port’s first tug boats, and worked welcoming and departing ships on the Waitemata Harbour for more than 40 years.
 
The hour-long, family-friendly tours will cruise through the commercial wharves, providing a close-up view of port operations. 
 
The trip will also include a special stop at the Auckland Harbour Bridge, where the William C Daldy proved its might salvaging a runaway piece of the bridge during its construction in 1958.
 
Mr Madsen said the detailed heritage commentary would also offer a unique insight into the history of the port and Auckland.
 
“The development of the city and port over the last 160 years plus is a fascinating story.”
 
The tours will be held at 11.00am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm on three Saturdays during the Auckland Heritage Festival, between 19 September to 4 October.
 
Bookings are essential.  To book, phone 0800 AK PORT (0800 25 7678) or see www.poal.co.nz for more information.
 
The tours are free; however, a gold coin donation to the William C Daldy Preservation Society is appreciated.
 
For land-lubbers, Ports of Auckland is also running Red Fence Heritage Walks throughout the Festival.  Walks will be guided from the meeting point outside the NZ National Maritime Museum on Sunday 20, Thursday 24, Sunday 27 September, and Sunday 4 October, at 3pm.  Bookings are not required.
 
ENDS
 
Ports of Auckland is New Zealand’s largest container port by volume, handling around 840,000 TEU (20ft-equivalent units), more than 1,700 ship calls and 3.6 million tonnes of break-bulk (non-containerised) cargo per annum. It is New Zealand’s major import port and a key partner to export industries. Ports of Auckland is 100%-owned by Auckland Regional Holdings. 
 
The William C Daldy is a 126 metre, coal-fired steam tug, built in Scotland for the Auckland Harbour Board in 1935. After an 82 day delivery voyage to New Zealand, the tug began handling ships on the Waitemata Harbour in 1936. Following a 41 year career, the vessel was retired in 1971 as one of the last working coal-fired tugs in the world. Thanks to the efforts of The William C Daldy Preservation Society, the tug is still active on the Auckland Harbour. See www.daldy.com for more information.
 
The Auckland Heritage Festival, delivered by Auckland City Council, will run from 19 September to 4 October 2009. The two-week festival, comprising more than 100 eventsencompassing art, architecture, fashion, music, ecology and sociology, isa chance for Aucklanders to embrace and discover everything that is unique about their city.  This year’s theme is living heritage – the customs, stories and traditions we keep alive today. For more information and a full event programme visit the events page of the Auckland City website at www.aucklandcity.govt.nz.
 
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