I understand this is the original compass from Wyruna, kept for over 80 years by prior owner John Rischbieth. John was gifted Wyruna in 1933 for his 16th birthday, and would own it for ten years. It would be fantastic to reunite it with the boat, but I suspect it will not be our primary navigation assistant. Image very kindly sent by relatives of John’s, who also still have the red ensign. Unfortunately John is no longer with us.

He provided some great stories in some interviews published by the RSAYS about his time on Wyruna, one involving this compass (presumably), an iron windlass handle and a subsequent and consequent beaching near St Kilda (SA) on a night sail back across St Vincent’s Gulf.

We haven’t been able to get over to the shed for some time now, but the good news is that Ferdi’s team has been working through on Wyruna.

The following pictures are screen shots from videos Ferdi has sent across to keep us updated. Good progress has been made replacing upper and lower stringers, reinforcing the floors and connecting them more soundly to the new stringers, and putting the first of the refurbished planks back on. Great news.

A detail picture, showing the scarf join in the new lower spotted gum stringer. This spotted gum has been steaming really well, with these longer timbers being bagged and steamed in the boat, requiring only a little pressure to get them in place. The team have increased the cross section of these timbers for a number of reasons. It has added some useful longitudinal strength, and has acted as a strong back to tie the new ribs to, enabling the shape to be pulled back in/pushed out where required. Nearly 40 years being supported by props had an effect on the shape, however in good news Ferdi reports that they have been successful in returning some nice fair lines. These heavier stringers will also be directly connected to the floors, by new laminations (using original stringer timber) and fastened through. The intention here is to reduce a reported feature of Wyruna, which saw the keel move laterally from time to time while under sail. Previous owner Ivan mentioned this in a recent visit, and it would be a feature we would like to reduce! This picture also shows the doubled (and broader) ribs around the mast step/chainplate, for additional strength.

Still with the internal bracing in place, this shows the new lower stringers, with the old upper ones still in place. A new upper stringer is in place, bagged in black plastic for steaming – just to the left in this picture. This also shows the temporary internal bracing, which has been used to ensure we can retain and move Wyruna’s shape as the new structural timber is put in. When the new ribs were completed, while adding the required/intended strength and rigidity, there was a noticeable change in pressure on this frame. There were a good few days of puzzlement, measurement, pushing and pulling for Christian to bring it all back together. The chain in the middle of this picture ties this temporary frame to the keelson, and is remarkably tight, indicative of the work it is doing.

Similar to the above picture, but with the upper stringer now in place. I am not certain, but the brace to the left of this picture, immediately in front of the ladder looks to be resting on a section of old stringer, giving a good indication of the additional size of the new one now installed just above it.

A little difficult to see, but the first refurbished planks copper fastened back on to Wyruna are here. It is the one with the notch in the upper hood end, pending repair. This is the lowest of the original kauri planks, with the three below this being hardwood (including the garboard). We’ve made the decision to replace the lower planks with new timber, as the originals have not lasted. There is a lot of surface checking, which is considered okay, but some quite large splits through the timber in parts. Given they also connect to the floors, some additional strength from new timber would be welcome. We may be able to use the garboards (remarkably), but I am considering this unlikely for now. New stem and apron in evidence here also.

Bit difficult to see, as it doesn’t show the length that well, but this is >37 feet of original kauri planking refurbished and ready to go back on. In remarkable condition 108 years after first being attached to Wyruna, and now ready for another 100 years. The notch in the front is a repair, pending the arrival of some new kauri. Happily, Ivan has a store of from his original intentions to refurbish Wyruna, and once we have some greater freedom of movement, we will be able to pick some of this up. There are a few planks in need of substantial repair, and this kauri will be both much appreciated and very useful.

Also seen here to the right (portside) of Wyruna is the 8 metre yacht Vanessa, in for a substantial rebuild also. Although not to quite the same extent!