The Nahlin

 “This is the snap I took of Lady Yule’s yacht the Nahlin”
Snapshot photograph from private collection

On February 2 1932 people who happened to have been in Pilot Bay would probably have hardly believed their eyes as a beautiful steam yacht sailed into Tauranga Harbour. She was met by the Harbourmaster Mr A. Dickson who guided her to her anchorage near the big sand hill south of the Railway Wharf at the Mount. As she drew fifteen feet it was not possible to bring her up to the town.

The yacht was the Nahlin, owned by Lady Yule who was the widow of the late Sir David Yule, a wealthy Calcutta jute merchant. Attended by fifty crew, Lady Yule and her daughter Gladys were the only passengers. Both keen fisherwomen they were visiting New Zealand for our deep sea fishing season.

Lady Yule's yacht, the Nahlin, in Tauranga Harbour, Mauao in the background, 2 Feb 1932
Tauranga City Library Photographic Collection, Ref. 04- 575

At that time the Nahlin, who was first commissioned in 1930, was one of the most luxurious yachts in the world. She weighed 1600 tons, could do 17 and a half knots and was a gleaming picture of white and gold with a buff funnel. Nahlin is a native American word meaning fleet of foot and beneath the bowsprit she had a striking figurehead representing an Indian Chief.

Each deck had luxurious saloons furnished with brocade and tapestry upholstered lounges and the yacht’s interior was panelled in light oak. There was a well stocked library, a fully equipped gym and about a dozen bathrooms, beautiful blooms grew in pots throughout the yacht.

“This is taken on board the Nahlin by Phyl Hartley. Can you pick Mrs Mcmillan, she is the one in black with her hand holding her necklace. It is a marvellous yacht I believe.”
Snapshot photograph from private collection

Lady Yule obviously had a soft spot for birds and other animals as there were dozens of brightly coloured cages hanging round the upper and lower decks containing squawking parrots and chirping canaries. Dogs, cats and monkeys were among the other pets on board. (What would today’s Customs would have made of that?)
 
While the Nahlin was anchored in Tauranga Harbour, Lady Yule and Gladys visited Rotorua, plus Tauranga and the surrounding district. According to the Bay of Plenty Times (4 Feb) “His Worship the Mayor, Mr B.C. Robbins, Mr J.C. Green, Chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr C. Lowe, Harbour Board Secretary and Mr Geo. West visited Lady Yule on the Nahlin and were very hospitably entertained.’’ I wonder if their wives were invited, as no mention is made of them?

Mayor Island (Tuhua), Tauranga. Postcard published by Mirrielees (No. 19)
Collection of Justine Neal

Swordfish at Mayor Island (Tuhua)
Courtesy of Tauranga Heritage Collection, Ref. 019/08

On February 5th the Nahlin sailed to Tuhua/ Mayor Island where the ladies were hoping to test the sword fishing grounds.

White Island (Whakaari) from Wilson Bay, Bay of Plenty, N.Z.
Hand-coloured postcard published by Tasman Photo, c. 1960s
Collection of Justine Neal

Early on the morning of February 6th the yacht left for a day trip to Whakaari (White Island). Mr West sailed with them in order to conduct them on a tour of the island. This marked the end of their short stay in Tauranga and, after  returning to their anchorage that afternoon, the Nahlin set sail for Napier.

Luxury yacht Nahlin purchased by King Carol of Rumania from Lady Yule. The vessel at Whangaroa on its New Zealand cruise, Auckland Weekly News Supplement, 11 Aug 1937
Image courtesy of Auckland Libraries Heritage Images, Ref. AWNS-19370811-56-3

Postscript: I wondered why the name Nahlin sounded familiar then I read this report from the Bay of Plenty Times (19 November 1937.) King Carol of Roumania purchased the yacht from Lady Yule in 1937. The previous year, after being redecorated and refitted the yacht was lent to the Duke of Windsor – then King Edward VIII – for his Mediterranean cruise in August 1936. The paper fails to mention his sailing companion, a certain Wallis Simpson and we all know how that story ended.

For those of you with a soft spot for beautiful boats you might like to know that the Nahlin is still sailing. She has been fully restored and is now owned by Sir James Dyson, whose name also has a familiar ring.

References
TheGuardian.com
Wikipedia
Papers Past, Bay of Plenty Times, 19 November 1937, 4 February 1932, 5 February 1932, 3 February 1932, 13 January 1932