Ruska

Ruska was a car manufacturer based in the Netherlands from 1968 to 2000 who manufacturer several open seater fibreglass bodied cars and beach buggys. The cars bodies were built on a Volkswagen chassis.^[1]

Origin

The company was founded by Arie Ruska after World War Two an initially focused on car restoration. A friend of his approached him in the late 1960's and asked him to make him a beach buggy. This resulted in Ruska being approached to make more and his manufacturing business commenced with the beach buggy, the Ruska Buggy. By the 1970's production had reached 250-300 units per annum. Ruska Buggies were among the most successful buggy builders in the Netherlands. Ruska initially offered the buggies for about 4500 guilders, just over 2000 euros), which made them relatively cheap.^[1]http://auto.blog.nl/karakteristiek-klassiek/2016/07/17/amsterdamse-bluf-en-oude-kevers-ruska-buggies, retrieved 25 June 2017</ref>^[2]

Over time the buggies were redesigned but the Beetle chassis and the polyester body remained key components. Ruska designed a number of models himself. As soon as a design was ready and produced, a wooden mold was made in which polyester was cast. The casting itself was outsourced to a location outside the city due to toxic emissions. Ruska was also the only independent automaker in the Netherlands once DAF was acquired by Rus. Replicas such as the Ruska Bugatti and Ruska Regina (loosely based on the Morgan ) were also made along with kit car version of the buggy.^[1]

The commercial brain behind Ruska was the wife of Arie, Christina, who through her enthusiasm and sales instinct acquired the nickname "Christien de Buggyqueen". She died in 1994. Ruska died in 2000.^[1]

Demise of manufacturing

After twelve years of success, in which production grew to 350 units per annum, the BVB tax was introduced. Sales in the Netherlands collapsed, and for a while Ruska successfully exported to the Middle East. The Israel Lebanon War brought the export market to an end. After a failed attempt to bring the Brazilian Gurgel to the Dutch market, production ceased and Ruska became a VW garage with an emphasis on Kevers.^[1]

Models

• B1 (introduced in: 1970) (number of copies: ca. 300)
• Super Buggy (1973)
• Classica (1974) - four seat convetable with a body style similar to a beach buggy but with a front grill
• Sprinter (1975)
• Bugatti (1976) - replica of the Bugatti 35
• Regina (1977) - two seat sports car similar to the Morgan in appearance
• Regina Royal (1980) - four seat sports car similar to the Morgan in appearance
• Jubilee, then Starter (1980)
• Sagitta (1981) - a replica two seater boat-tail sports car

Imports

Ruska also imported eight Gurgle X12's from Brazil.

References

APEV

The Association for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles (APEV) was founded in 2009 by Soichiro Fukutake. The Association's aim is promote electic vehicles in order to protect the environment. There are branches of the Association in Japan, Germany, and New Zealand.

Japan

The Chairman of the Association is Soichiro Fukutake of Benesse Holdings Inc. Also on the executive are Nobuhiro Tajima of Tajima Motor Corporation, Hiroshi Fujiwara of BroadBand Tower Inc, Professor Kohei Kusaka of the University of Tokyo's School of Engineering, Kazunobu Sato of the Ehime Institute of Industrial Technology, Hitoshi Arima of dSPACE Japan K.K., and Professor Takahiro Suzuki of Tohoku University's New Industry Creation Hatchery Center.^[1]

Membership includes Toyota Motor Corporation, Suzuki Motor Corporation, and Nissan Motor Co Ltd along with University's and Government agencies in China, Philipines, United States, Germany, Australia, and England.^[2]

Design contests form part of the organisations promotional activities.^[3]

Team APEV

In 2012 Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima entered an electric hill climb car called the 2012 E-Runner Pikes Peak Special in the 90th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. It was developed by APEV's team of engineers specifically for the hill climb.

The car did not finish in the 2012 event, but in 2013 Tajima achieved a time of 9:46.530 (average speed 122.8 km/h), creating a new record in the electric class and placing 5th overall. In 2014 Tajima completed the course in a time of 9:43.90.

Germany

New Zealand

APEV's New Zealand Directors are: Mark Gilbert, former CEO of BMW NZ and Chairman of APEV; Rob McEwen, former CEO, NZ Clean Energy Centre; Duncan Stewart, CEO, The Greenhouse; and Hideaki Fukutake, Director, efu Investments.

Evolocity

Evolocity was a motorsport event run by the Association for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles (APEV) and held at the Mike Pero Motorsport Park, Ruapuna, Christchurch, New Zealand for electric powered vehicles. The first event was held on 30 November 2014 and was being sponsored by Orion New Zealand Limited. It is also the first significant electric vehicle motorsport event in New Zealand.^[4][5] The event included a range of competitions and promotions.

High Schools

There are five competitions for high schools - a motor controller for a go-kart, an electric vehicle, a motor vehicle sound effect synthesiser, promotional video, and marketing competition. Sixteen teams from 10 Christchurch high schools entered the competition.^[6]

Electic vehicles

There are competitions for building an electric go-kart, motor-bike, and car. New Zealand's first Tesla S owners, Steve and Dee West, are putting their car on display.^[7]

Motor rally

A 21.2km motor rally for electric powered vehicles.

Motor sport

Sprint racing.

Participants

The participants include the University of Canterbury, and the University of Waikato which had converted a Suzuki Carry to electricity for the event.^[8][9] Eva Håkansson, the driver and builder of a record breaking electric motorcycle KillaJoule will be attending and demonstrating the bike.^[10] Lincoln High school is entering an electric bicycle in the event.^[11]

External Links

• Japanese APEV organisation website (English language)
• New Zealand APEV organistion website

References

HMS Vestal (1833)

HMS Vestal was a 952 ton 26 thirty-six pounder gun sixth rate launched on 6 April 1833 at Sheerness and broken up by 1862. She was designed by Sir W Symonds.

West Indies

After her launch, in June she was fitted with an Earle's fire-engine pump. Her sea trials were held in July with HMS Serpent and Pantaloon. She then sailed for the West Indies in October, arriving in Bermuda on on 3 December. She remainded in the West Indies from 1834 to 1837.

1835 started poorly for the Vestal. In April there was a yellow fever outbreak on board with a number of the crew dying. In July she ran aground of Laquayra and her Captain William Jones and master Mr Yule had to attend a Court Martial because of it. They were acquited because the charts for the area lacked sufficient information.

During her patrol in October she seized a Spanish slave-schooner Amalia. In 1836 she siezed a Portuguese slave schooner the Negrinha and vessal the Fenix, and a Spanish slave brigantine the Empresa. In 1837 she was less succesful with the slave ships Matilda and Donna Maria Segunda both eluding capture with the assistance of local Spanish authorities. She returned to Spithead from the North America station in September.

In 1838 she returned to duty in the Caribbean, patrolling the Mexican coast, transferring troops (76th Regiment from Barbadoes to Bermuda in 1840), and sailing as far north as Halifax and Quebec. On 4 September 1841 Captain John Parker was appointed Captain.

The America's, Australia ,and Hong Kong

During 1844 she sailed from England to New York in February, to Rio de Janeiro in May, and then in August to Sydney via Montevideo, the Cape of Good Hope, and Hobart. She remained in Sydney for several days before departing in late November for Hong Kong. On 27 December 1844 she arrived at Hong Kong having visited several Pacific Islands on the way,

Borneo pirates

In late July 1845 the Vestal was part of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane's squadron that sailed from Penang to attack thr Malloodoo Bay pirates of Seriff Housman in Borneo. The squadron consisted of HMS Agincourt, HMS Vestal, HMS Daedalus, HMS Wolverine, HMS Cruizer, HMS Royalist, HMS Vixen, and the HEIC Steamers Pluton and Nemesis. The squadron sailed to Buffolo Rock anchorage at Singapore via Malacca. HMS Osprey had been with the squadron until reaching Singapore.

On the 28th [Jul, 1845] we were off the mouth of the Sarawak, and at daylight the Commander-in-Chief, with a party, went up the river in the Pluto, to pay a visit to Mr. Brooke's capital. The squadron anchored off Tanjong Po, and he returned the following day. The Pluto unfortunately had grounded, and sustained some damage, which rendered it necessary to beach her ; we proceeded to the northward, and had a pleasant run along the coast : we found the charts very erroneous. The flag-ship, however, appeared to view boldly, her master Mr. Ellyet, it was said, having already been on the coast in the Dido. On the 6th of August we were off the Brune River. While running in, the Agincourt touched on a knoll and hung for a short time. She came off without damage, with the exception of running into the Nemeses, which was coming to her assistance, and knocked over her funnel. This accident prevented our entering the river, so coming to an anchor, the next morning we dropped out into deep water. A boat conveying Mr. Brooke was despatched to the town. which returned the following day ; and shortly after a rajah, apparently of high rank, arrived rived to compliment the Admiral. He was received with all the honours, and had a long. interview. What passed I know not, but the result was that the next day, the 7th, a party of 160 marines, the band, &c., was embarked on board the Vixen, and she, the Nemesis and Pluto (which vessels had made good their damages), accompanied by three or four armed pinnaces, proceeded up the river of Brune, having the admiral and a large party of officers on board. At the bar, just below Palo Chesmise, there was found too little water for the Vixen ; the flag and army were, therefore, transferred to the small steamer, which proceeded off the town. The admiral, attended by his suite, paid a visit to the sultan, and active negociations (sic) appeared to be going on.

In the course of the afternoon, the Vixen made her appearance, Commander Giffard having succeeded in forcing her over the bar in her own draft. Up to this time no visible symptoms had offered, and we began to fear that nothing would take place. During the night there was a slight confusion on board the Vixen, where the whole force had re-assembled, owing to some fancy having been entertained that she had been boarded by an enemy. The commander's appearance on deck, however, soon restored order, and on his endeavouring to arrive at the cause of the disorder, a sentry who had been calmly walking his post on the paddle-box, gave it as his opinion that "It was only Mr._______ a-dreaming."

On the forenoon of the next day, the 10th [Aug, 1845], it appeared that the Admiral had demanded that a certain chief, Panquera Usof, should be given up, be having behaved ill in the matter of some slaves. Usof apparently disliked the terms, whatever they were, for about noon his house was pointed out as the object to be attacked, and the steamers moved into position. It was admirably situated for a little practice, being quite isolated from the town, and exposed on all sides; the arrangements were very judicious. The Vixen was laid opposite the principal front ; the Pluto, with the marines, ran up a branch of the river to a point where her fire would cross that of the Vixen at right angles, and a place was found for the Nemesis midway betwixt the two. Had poor Usof's house been of adamant instead of mats, it must have come down in five minutes.

The arrangements being completed, the Vixen fired a 32 lb. shot through the roof of the house, just to give warning we were ready ; this was replied to by some half dozen guns, the shot passing over the Vixen. The three steamers then opened, and in ten minutes the house was riddled. I believe every one ran away on the first discharge, and they acted wisely, for the effect of the Vixen's grape and cannister was terrific. The firing having ceased, the marines advanced, and took possession of the frontier. Twenty-one brass guns were brought off, and a powder magazine (within twenty paces of which a shed fallen behind) destroyed. The houses were handed over to the Sultan. and the party re-embarked: The Sultan then gave permission to the populace to plunder it, and they were not slow in availing themselves of the permission.

The admiral returned to the squadron the following day, and ran over to the island of Labuan. When the steamer had completed taking in the wood. which in the mean- time had been collected by the Cruizer and Wolverine, having the carpenter of the squadron on board, we all moved to the northward; and on the road learned that there was another job in prospect. On the 17th we were assembled in Malluda Bay; in the evening the captains met by signal on board the flag ship, and received the plan of attack on Seriff Housman, a notorious pirate, harbour-ing in one of the rivers at the head of the bay.

Pursuant to these orders, on the morning of the 18th [Aug, 1845] all the small-arm men and marines moved to the Vixen and other steamers, and they taking the Cruizer, Wolverine, and the gun-boats in tow, moved up the bay as far as the depth of water would permit. The Pluto went on to pick out the channel, but shortly got aground. The admiral, whose flag was in the Vixen. anxious not to lose time, then directed Captain Talbot to put what men he could in the boats and proceed. Accordingly, about 300 blue jackets and 200 marines embarked in the boats; the details as follows:- To com-mand the whole, Captain Talbot, Vestal, as-sisted by Commander Fanshawe, Cruizer, to command the landing party, Acting-Commander Lyster, Agincourt, assisted by Com-mander Clifford, Wolverine, and Lieutenant Paynter, Agincourt, as Adjutant, - command-ing H.M. Marines Captain Hawkins, R.N.

H.M. ship Agincourt, second barge Lieutenant Paynter, Mr. May, mate, Mr. Patrick, Assistant-surgeon.- Launch, Lieutenant Lowther, Mr. Burton, midshipman, Mr. Burnaby, midshipman, Mr. Whipple, assistant-surgeon.- Pinnace, Mr. Reeve, mate, in charge of the rocket party.- Second cutter, Mr. Lincoe, midshipman.- In Wolverine, Daedalus and Nemesis cutters, in charge of the first company of small arm men, .Lieutenant Reid, Mr. Young, mate, Mr Hotham, midshipman.

H.M. ship Vestal, barge, pinnace, and cutter, Lieutenant Morritt, Lieutenant Pascoe, Mr. Pym, second master, Mr. Durbin, mate. H.M. ship Daedalus, pinnace, barge, and cutter, Lieutenant Randolph, Mr. Nolloth, mate. Mr. Wilkinson, second master., H.M. steam-vessel Vixen, pinnace and cutter, Lieutenant Wilcox, Mr. Dent, mate, Mr. Sainsbury, midshipman. H. M. sloop Cruizer, pinnace and cutter, Lieutenant Rodney, Mr. _______ , midshipman. H.M. sloop Wolverine, pinnace and cutter, Lieutenant Hillyar, Mr. Gibbard, mate. Lieutenant Heard, senior lieutenant of H.M. ship Samarang (supernumerary on board Agincourt) in the Pluto's boats, in charge of the Agincourt's field piece. Lieutenants Hambly, Dyer, Kennedy, and Mansell, of the Royal Marines, distributed with their parties.

Captain Talbot was accompanied by Mr. Brookes. Malay interpreter, Mr. Williams a volunteer, and two Malay pilots from Brune.

The boats started against a strong breeze ; the channel was so difficult to discover, that they were obliged to anchor outside the bar, at seven p.m. At half-past ten p.m. the tide enabled the boats to pass the bar and anchor at the mouth of the rover for the night. At seven a.m. the next day, the 19th of August, [1845], the boats weighed at quarter flood in two divisions, and proceeded up the river, carrying two fathoms water the whole way, the gigs leading and sounding. The course of the river trends generally to the S.S.W., with small reaches trending to the southward and eastward, with an average breadth of sixty yards, the banks covered with close jungle, lined with mangrove bushes fringing the edges.

Three miles up the river, Captain Talbot went ahead to reconnoitre, and rejoined two miles higher up, with information that the next bend would place the boats in front of the batteries and stockade, and that a boom of large size was thrown across the river 250 or 300 hundred yards below the fort. The launch and second barge of the Agincourt, the barge of the Vestal, and launch of the Daedalus were then, ordered up with directions to form line abreast, to anchor by the stern when close up to the boom, and keep up a fire, whilst the three cutters under Lieutenant Reid, Mr. Young, and Mr. Gibbard, were directed under cover of the fire of the gun-boats to clear away the boom, the Vixen's and Vestal's pinnaces to close up in the interval, and the remainder of the boats to be the reserve, and act as ordered.

Whilst Captain Lyster was preparing to carry out these instructions, a flag of truce made its appearance from the fort. The boats were immediately ordered to anchor in two lines, Captain Talbot demanded an unconditional surrender of Seriff Housman in half an hour. The flag of truce urged the wish of Housman to have a consultation with him, it was refused, and the flag left; in the meanwhile the boats had taken up their positions in the following manner: the Agincourt's launch close in on the left bank touching the boom, the Vixen's pinnace next, and the Daedalus' launch next; on the right bank was the Vestal's barge. then the Agincourt's second barge, the Pluto's cutter, and the gigs of the commanding officers. The three cutters with the carpenters, under Captain Lyster, employed themselves trying to unshackle the cable and clear the boom of the shore.

In a quarter of an hour another flag of truce came down the river and stated that Seriff Housman would allow two boats inside the boom during the conference. He was answered that the half hour was nearly up, and that if Seriff Housman did not surrender, action would commence. The flag of truce instantly returned, shot round a small turn of the river, hauled down the flag, and the batteries commenced firing, which was immediately returned. The 12-pound carronades in the gun boats appeared to make little impression on the forts, but the firing on both sides was well sustained. About twenty minutes from the commencement, Lieutenant Paynter obtained permission to land and try the rockets, and in eight minutes a 24, 12, and 3-pound tube were fired on the right bank, about five yards in the rear of the boom, and the first rocket (a 42-pound) was hailed by a loud cheer from all the gun boats. The well sustained fire of guns and rockets, soon rendered the fire of Seriff Housman's defences wild, but the perfect workmanship by which the boom was secured, resisted all efforts to force it. The firing having lasted fifty minutes, and the boom still impassable. the ammunition of the gun-boats was ordered to be husbanded, and the guns to be fired with great precision ; at this time Mr. Reeve of the rocket party was sent to Captain Talbot with information that the forts could be reached by the right bank; but at this moment one end of the boom gave way. The boats were immediately pushed through. and with a loud cheer, led by Captains Talbot, Lyster, Fanshawe, and Clifford; boat after boat passed with the marines under Captain Hawkins to storm the defences. The enemy retreated from the eight-gun battery without making any resistance. The flags were hauled down, and the forts immediately taken possession of. A guard was left in the fort ; parties of marines and small arm men advanced up both sides of the river, burning and destroying the houses, and everything that could be discovered.

The forts were well situated, and commanded a complete view of the river and boom. A floating battery of three long 18-pounders was erected close to the left bank, and the guns laid for the boom. The 8-gun battery, consisting of one 18 pounder, two 12-pounders, three 9-pounders, and two 6-pounders, on the right bank, were laid some for the boom and others above and below it. It was not to be expected that so formidable a position could be taken without a sacrifice of life. Six killed and fifteen wounded, (two mortally,) was the loss on the English side, and the determined manner the pirates worked their guns for the first half hour, secure in their position, and confident in their boom, renders it fortunate the loss was not greater.

The following is a list of the casualties on the occasion

H. M. ship Agincourt. 2nd barge, 3 killed, 2 wounded, (1 severely) ; launch, 1 killed, 2 wounded, (1 severely). H. M. ship Vestal. Barge, 1 killed; pinnace, 2 wounded, (t severely). H. M. S. Daedalus, Launch, 1 killed, 2 wounded, (1 mortally, l severely). H. M. S. Vixen. Pinnace, 2 wounded, (Z severely) ; cutter, 1 wounded. H. M sloop Wolverine. Cutter, 1 wounded, (mortally); pinnace, 1 wounded (severely). H. M. sloop Cruizer. Pinnace, 2 wounded. H. C. steam vessel Pluto. Cutter, 1 wounded. Officers, wounded. Lieut. Heard, Supr. Agincourt, (slightly,) Mr. Gibbard, mate in Wolverine, (mortally), Mr. Pym, second master Vestal, (severely)

It is impossible to estimate the loss of the enemy; that it was severe, there can be no doubt; bodies were found in various directions - numbers were thrown into the river by their own- people, and the wounded were carried into the jungle as soon as they fell. But the testimony of some Manila men (slaves) who had escaped, amounts to this that Seriff Housman was dangerously wounded in the neck, that two Chiefs (Arabs) were killed, and two severely wounded, that many hundred men were in the forts at the commencement, but after twenty minutes firing numbers fled, and as the loss on the English side was all in the first twenty minutes, it is highly probable that the latter part of the firing was continued by a few desperate men, but without any effect, and who ran away the moment the boom was passed.

Not wishing to lose the tide, the force was re-embarked and returned to the Vixen. To prevent all chance of the enemy making head again, the Admiral despatched a fresh party under Commodore Giffard, who after a slight resistance from a few stragglers, completed the destruction of the town, and brought away a quantity of brass ordnance. The force having returned to the ship, the squadron moved to the island of Balambangan, and on the 25th sailed for Manila and Hongkong ; the Cruizer being detached with Mr. Brooke and Captain Bethune. Thus under one short campaign at Borneo there can be little doubt that a most salutary effect will be produced by the powerful and effectual measures of our Commander-in-Chief.

Destruction Of Pirates. -By a letter from H.M.S. Agincourt, dated Manila, 3rd September, we learn that the squadron, consisting of the Agincourt, Vestal, Daedalus, Cruizer Wolverine Vixen, Pluto, and Nemesis. had attacked, at Malloodoo Bay, the pirate chief Seriff Housman. The boats of the squadron succeeded in taking his forts, being three in number, and mounting altogether fifteen guns; they destroyed his town, and all the goods they came across. The boats were under the fire of the batteries, while forcing the boom, upwards of fifty minutes, at little more than two hundred yards. distance. Our loss was six killed and fifteen wounded-two of the latter since dead. Mr. Pym, of the Vestal, was wounded in the back part of the thigh by a grape shot, but not dangerously. Gibbard, a mate of the Wolverine,, was killed. The loss is the Agincourt alone was four killed and six wounded. 'the loss. of the enemy could not be ascertained, 9s tey carried the bodies immediately into the jungle, but it must have been immense. Two Arab chiefs are known to have been killed, and Seriff Housman himself to have been carried off the field, severely wounded in the neck. The squadron were to sail for Hongkong from Manila the day after, namely, the 4th Sept. - Port Philip Herald, December 11.

The Vestal returned to Hong Kong after the battle and was stationed there until 4 March 1847 when she sailed back to England. On her return her crew was paid off and she was placed in ordinary reserve at Sheerness.

Anti-slave trade operations

In 1852 operation against slavers in the Havana - Bahama region, where 3 slavers were captured - see p. 393-4 at www.archive.org/details/royalnavyhistory06clow

17 Dec 1852 detained off Havana the Spanish slave vessel Carloto, Vicente Valero, master, which was sent for adjudication to the Mixed Court at Havana and on 3 Feb 1853 sentenced to be forfeited.

17 Dec 1852 detained off Havana the Spanish slave vessel Cuatro Hermanos, Ramon Albela, master, which was sent for adjudication to the Mixed Court at Havana and on 19 Jan 1853 sentenced to be restored to her master.

17 Dec 1852 detained off Havana the Spanish slave vessel Venus, José Francisco Infante, master, which was sent for adjudication to the Mixed Court at Havana and on 19 Jan 1853 sentenced to be forfeited.

22 Dec 1852 detained off Havana at Lat. 23° 16' 30" N., long. 82° 22' 45" W., the Spanish slave vessel Arogante Emilio, José Costa, master, which was sent for adjudication to the Mixed Court at Havana and on 21 Mar 1853 sentenced to be restored to her master.

1 Nov 1853 at Havana.

1860 Chatham.

9 Nov 1844 Gentlemen.- The Vestal's extraordinary qualifications in sailing perhaps are unparalleled in naval construction. A few particulars of the vessel may be acceptable to your readers, especially those interested in maritime affairs.

The Vestal bears no affinity to the old thirty-twos, either in dimensions or configuration. They are as follow:-

Length on load water line 130 ft 0 in Length on gun deck 139 ft 0 in Breadth, extreme, 5-16 of load water line 40 ft 6 in Depth in hold from timbers amid- ships to main deck 17 ft 6 in Draught of water-load line, amidships...16ft 6in Builder's tonnage, O. M..952 tons Light displacement of the ship, i.e. her own weight...526 tons Actual weight received on board for sea service, i. e. masts, rig-ging, armament, stores, &c..413 tons Load displacement, i. e. total weight of ship...939 tons

These cursory statements may be fully de-pended on, as they were given to the writer, with the various dimensions of all the classes of the Symondsian vessels, together with their sections and draughts, by the constructor himself.

The Vestal's metal is very heavy, being the medium thirty-twos, weight 45 cwt. each, which the extension of beam enables her to carry with ease on her main deck, although only rated and carrying 26 guns ; whilst the North Star, of the same rate, same length on load water line, but seven feet six inches lets beam, and registering but 500 tons, carries only gunnades, thirty-twos, about 25 cwt. each, on her main deck.

The North Star's light displacement a 351 tons; dead weight, &c., on board, 350 tons; total displacement, or weight of ship, 701 tons.

The old thirty-twos were about 700 tons register, and carried twenty-two long twelves on main deck ; and were any of these bygone ships, or the later description of twenty-six gun vessels, so well known in the British navy as "donkey or jackass frigates;" placed alongside of the Vestal in action they would surely be blown to atoms ! Hence the superiority of vessels in the British navy. as now constructed on the Symondsian principle, over those of former construction, each class carrying the same number of guns.

John Jarvis (karateka)

John Hugo Jarvis (born 1940) is a karateka and author from New Zealand. Jarvis migrated to New Zealand from Freetown, arriving on the Achille Lauro, on 15 December 1967.^[1]

Karate

He is Shihan, 5th Dan. His first instructor was Steve Arneil in 1967. Later, John Jarvis was a personal representative of Masutatsu Oyama and Kyokushinkai chief instructor in New Zealand. In 1974 he switched to Okinawa Goju-ryu karatedo. He is the fifth person to complete the 100-man kumite. John Jarvis retired from karate in 1987 and now writes books. His fourth, Kurosaki Killed the Cat, was published in 2006.

Books

• The handy self defence book, Rembuden Publishing, Wellington, 1972
• Weight training for self defense, Rembuden Publishing, Wellington, 1973
• Kurosaki Killed the Cat, Rembuden Publishing, Upper Hutt, 2006, ISBN 0-958-27280-8

External links

• New Zealand Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karatedo - History of IOGKF New Zealand
• Rembuden Kilbirnie Karate Club
• Kurosaki Killed the Cat
• Kurosaki Killed the Cat review

New Zealand Company ships

Arrow (brig)

The Arrow was a 212 ton (c 41 175 ton) (Lloyds Register) Bristol based snow-brig under Captain Paterson. She was built in 1840 at Stockton and owned by J Irvine.

Hired by the New Zealand Company as store ship. she arrived at Tasman Bay in October 1841 with the Whitby and Will Watch as part of the expedition to survey a second settlement for the Company at Nelson. On 1 November 1841 she was also the first sailing ship to enter Nelson harbour. Arrow Rock located by the old harbour entrance and south of Haulashore Island is named after her.

She had sailed to New Zealand under Captain Geare on 27 May 1841 from The Downs, England. Arriving at Port Nicholson, Wellington on the 28 August after a 93 day journey, she was described as having made the fastest voyage at that time. She also brought the first news of the death of the United States President General William Henry Harrison to the colony.^[2] After participating in the exploration and survey of Nelson she returned to Wellington on the 23 November and then sailed to Sydney.

According to Lloyds register she was restored in 1853 and owned by Hendry & Co. H Silvers was her master. By 1867 she was still in existance in London owned by Brenan and mastered by T Peake.

Fifeshire

In October 1841 the New Zealand Company arranged for four ships to bring settlers to Nelson. These four ships, were the Fireshire, captained by Captain Arnold, Lord Auckland with Captain Jardine as its head, Captain Bolton with the Mary Ann and lastly the Lloyds, with Captain Green. All of these ships ended up in Nelson, the first to arrive being the Fifeshire, on the 1st February 1842.^[3]

Lambton

The company dispatched two ships to New Zealand the following year under the command of Captain James Herd, who was given the task of exploring trade prospects and potential settlement sites in New Zealand.[7] On 5 March 1826 the ships, Lambton and Rosanna, reached Stewart Island, which Herd explored and then dismissed as a possible settlement, before sailing north to inspect land around Otago Harbour.

Lloyds

In October 1841 the New Zealand Company arranged for four ships to bring settlers to Nelson. These four ships, were the Fireshire, captained by Captain Arnold, Lord Auckland with Captain Jardine as its head, Captain Bolton with the Mary Ann and lastly the Lloyds, with Captain Green. All of these ships ended up in Nelson, the first to arrive being the Fifeshire, on the 1st February 1842. When the Lloyds came into Nelson, it brought with it many stories of sickness and death. While travelling the seas between Port Gravesend in England and Port Nicholson in New Zealand, 67 children under the age of 14 died due to an outbreak of whooping cough on board. Many at the time blamed the surgeon on the Lloyds. Dr George F. Bush was the surgeon aboard the Lloyds. He was 37 at the time and came from Bristol and was well known among the New Zealand Company Directors. Dr Bush should have made sure that all of the ship's food requirements went on board. However a comparison between the "Reeves List" (the list made by the Inspector for Shipping in England) and the actual ship's list of food shows that they did not have sufficient quantities of basic provisions.8^[3]

Lord Auckland

In October 1841 the New Zealand Company arranged for four ships to bring settlers to Nelson. These four ships, were the Fireshire, captained by Captain Arnold, Lord Auckland with Captain Jardine as its head, Captain Bolton with the Mary Ann and lastly the Lloyds, with Captain Green. All of these ships ended up in Nelson, the first to arrive being the Fifeshire, on the 1st February 1842.^[3]

Mary Ann

In October 1841 the New Zealand Company arranged for four ships to bring settlers to Nelson. These four ships, were the Fireshire, captained by Captain Arnold, Lord Auckland with Captain Jardine as its head, Captain Bolton with the Mary Ann and lastly the Lloyds, with Captain Green. All of these ships ended up in Nelson, the first to arrive being the Fifeshire, on the 1st February 1842.^[3]

Rosanna

The company dispatched two ships to New Zealand the following year under the command of Captain James Herd, who was given the task of exploring trade prospects and potential settlement sites in New Zealand.[7] On 5 March 1826 the ships, Lambton and Rosanna, reached Stewart Island, which Herd explored and then dismissed as a possible settlement, before sailing north to inspect land around Otago Harbour.

Tory

Whitby

One of the first New Zealand Company vessels as part of the expedition to survey a second settlement for the Company at Nelson. The Literary and Scientific Institution of Nelson was born in 1841 on the New Zealand Company's ship Whitby, with Captain Arthur Wakefield as the chairman of its committee of management, at a stage when “Nelson” was a name only, with even the location of the settlement undecided. Meetings were held in 1842 and an immediate start made with the erection of a library and reading room.^[4]

Will Watch (barque)

The Will Watch was a 251 ton New Zealand Company barque that arrived at Tasman Bay in October 1841 with the Whitby and Arrow bringing members of the Company's survey party for its second settlement at Nelson.

In 1832 to 1834 she had been under Captain Barrington and sailing between Penang, Malacca, Singapore, and Calcutta. She had been involved in the opium trade under Captain Bristow.

On 21 April 1840 she was in Sydney having sailed there from Calcutta under Captain Brittian.

The ship had first sailed to Port Nicholson, Wellington from England under Captain Walker arriving on 8 September 1841.^[5]

On 22 June 1842 she was at Singapore and bound for London under Captain Walker.

In 1847 she sailed from Melborne arriving at Portland Bay under Captain Irving on 12 June. She sailed from Launceston under Captain Irving and arrived at Adelaide on 10 August, and from Portland Bay under Captain Jackson arriving at Adelaide on 19 October.

On 21 January 1848 she was at Port Jackson under Captain Peter Hamilton, having arrived there with 400 barrels of sperm whale oil. On 6 April she sailed from Hobart to London.

Bought 104 migrants to Freemantle 24 February 1852 and then sailed to London.

A cutter and a schooner of the same name were operating in Australian and Pacific waters in the same period. There was a 331 ton barque built a Bombay in 1813 owned by Woldridge and sailed by Captain Faremoth.

STA

STA (Société Transafricaine d'Aviation) was founded in 1937 by Air France and the shipping line, Compagnie Générale Transatlantique. The shipping company owned the SS France and had founded Société Transatlantique Aérienne, which had a catapult launched aircraft installed on the ship. Société Transatlantique Aérienne became Air France.

Aircraft

The companies first aircraft was a Latecoere 521. In 1939 it acquired at Latecoere 522. After the war the company acquired seven Douglas C-47 A's and three C-47 B's.^[6]

MV Otaki

1. As secretary to Lord Sterling, chairman of P and O, I see this medal every day, proudly displayed on the wall in his office. It is mounted as it must have been in the dining room of the last mv Otaki, where it sat alongside a portrait of Captain Smith.

It has this inscription : 'This Victoria Cross was awarded to Captain Archibald Bissett Smith. Master of the New Zealand Shipping Company vessel ss Otaki. He was was born in Aberdeen on December 19, 1878, and educated at Robert Gordon's College. He joined the Company on June 2, 1904 and was promoted Master in July 1912. he died on March 10, 1917, when in command of the ss Otaki, which was sunk in the North Atlantic after a very gallant action with the heavily armed raider 'Moewe'. The Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously to commemorate this epic of the Merchant Service'.

The New Zealand Shipping Co, a P and O subsidiary, acquired the medal by auction in 1951 and it was carried aboard it's fourth Otaki, which served from 1953 to 1975.

This is signed ; Lyn Allen, P and O SNCo, London

2) On March 10, 1917, the refrigerated meat ship Otaki, commanded by Captain Archibald Bisset Smith, sailing 350 miles east of the Azores, was sunk by the German commerce raider Moewe, but not before the Otaki's 4.7 inch gun had inflicted so much damage on the Moewe that, although able to reach Kiel, she never returned to sea. The Otaki lost six crewmen, including Captain Bisset Smith, who went down with his ship. Smith was a civilian and therefore not strictly entitled to receive the VC, so he was posthumously gazetted a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve. The London Gazette of May 25th, 1919, details the award.

In 1936, the relatives of Captain Bisset Smith presented the Otaki Shield to the Governors of Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen, where he had been educated, to be awarded annually to the scholar judged pre-eminent in character, leadership and athletics.

From 1938, the New Zealand Shipping Company added a travel scholarship in the form of a return trip to New Zealand - a tradition which continues, with P and O now providing the passage.

In March 1951, Captain Bisset Smith's VC was bought at auction by the New Zealand Shipping Company and for two years it was housed in Robert Gordons's College, but was then placed in the 'new' Otaki when it was built in 1953.

It remained in the officer's dining room until the Otaki was sold in 1975. The medal has since been in the possession of PandO, in pride of place in the office of the chairman.

Signed ; H.O. Smith, Head of Geography, Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen

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