Electrical fault likely cause of fire that destroyed historic Kelly Tarlton vessel Tui

Where the Tui once sat is now a pile of ash. Photo / Fiona Tarlton

A fire investigator has revealed the most likely cause of the blaze that destroyed a historic ship linked to late adventurer Kelly Tarlton.

The sailing ship Tui, which had been berthed at Waitangi since 1969, went up in flames about 4am on Wednesday. Despite firefighters’ efforts, it had to be demolished.

Fire and Emergency NZ investigator Craig Bain said the most likely cause of the fire was an electrical fault in the cable that fed to a switchboard.

The switchboard fell out of the ship early in the fire, he said.

“It was generally quite a difficult job because there was a need to get the fire out, which involved, unfortunately, demolishing the boat.

“It was just by sheer luck that we managed to find that [probable] cause.”

Bain said the fire was not suspicious, which is likely to be welcome news to those with a close connection to the landmark.

Firefighters working to extinguish the blaze on the Tui on Wednesday morning. Photo / Derek Gerritsen

The three-masted ship had sat next to Te Tii Marae in Paihia since it opened as Kelly Tarlton’s Shipwreck Museum in 1970.

The marine adventurer’s daughter, Fiona Tarlton, shared with the Northern Advocate her memories of the Tui, including her first job and even her wedding.

She said her father would have been “crushed” to see the Tui go up in flames.

“He would have a very heavy heart.”

For 33 years, it was owned by the Tarlton family before it was sold to a couple to be turned into a cafe.

The Tui had been derelict for several years, but plans were in place to transform it into a marine education centre. Photo / Jenny Ling

Over time, it was a restaurant and, for a while, a fish and chip spot known as Shippey’s.

After Shippey’s closed in 2014, the vessel sat idle until TriOceans came on board with hopes of turning the Tui into a marine education centre.

Wednesday’s fire dashed those hopes, which owners Cat and Thibaud Guerin said were “10 years in the making”.

Cat described the fire as “history lost”.

The ship had to be demolished for safety reasons. Containment booms were placed around the fire site to stop ash and other debris from entering the harbour.

At the fire’s peak, seven crews from Paihia, Kerikeri, Kawakawa and Whangārei were at the scene.

A blessing by Ngāti Kawa at the site of the fire is planned for tomorrow at 5am.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.