She might be undergoing major reconstructive surgery and is in need of a facelift, but for a 100-year-old she's in pretty good shape.
The steam ferry Minerva celebrated her 100th birthday last Friday with a get-together at her new home on Kerikeri's Cobham Rd, where she is undergoing a thorough restoration.
A
viewing platform was completed just in time for a steady stream of visitors drawn by an interest in steam and historic boats, or by the aroma of spiced lamb cooked on a spit by the Kerikeri Steam Trust's French chef.
Nigel Foster, who donated the Minerva and now chairs the Trust, said he was pleased with the birthday turnout.
"Given that she's turned 100 years old we felt she deserved a suitable celebration. We hope future generations will be doing the same in another 100 years," he said.
Mr Foster owned the Minerva for more than a decade, hoping to restore her for use in his charter boat business.
But when the charter scene changed and he didn't have the money to finish the job, he donated the ferry to the trust on the condition she be restored as closely as possible to its original state.
The Minerva was built in 1910 to ferry passengers between Auckland's Queen St wharf and Howick. It has also towed kauri logs on the Kaipara Harbour and served as a floating brothel in the Chatham Islands.
Once complete it is hoped she will take passengers around historic sites in the Bay of Islands.
