View source for Daring (schooner)

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{short description|19th c. New Zealand schooner}}

'''''Daring''''' was a 17-metre (55'8") [[schooner]], launched on 1 September 1863 in [[Mangawhai]], New Zealand. It was wrecked twice, once in 1864, and again in 1865. ''Daring''{{'}}s wreck was excavated in December 2018 after being exposed by shifting sands.
[[File:Daring_Schooner_Sketch.jpg|thumb|Sketch of Daring Schooner, NZ]]

== Construction ==
''Daring'' was a two-masted [[schooner]], built as a [[Cargo ship|cargo vessel]] in Mangawhai ship yard, New Zealand. Its construction was [[kauri]] [[Carvel (boat building)|carvel]] plank, with Muntz metal (60% Copper, 40% Zinc) on the hull. The ship was built by a Scottish boat builder, Donald McInnes. ''Daring'' was built for John Matheson and John Rattray, of Onehunga. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.classicyachtcharitabletrust.org.nz/trust_boats.htm?boat_id=17|title=Classic Yacht Daring|website=Classic Yacht Charitable Trust|access-date=2019-03-05}}</ref>

== First wreck and repairs ==
On 1 June 1864, little over a year after launching, ''Daring'' stranded on the South side of the bar at the mouth of the [[Waikato River]]. The vessel was originally reported to be a total wreck, but was subsequently repaired and re-floated. <ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=New Zealand Shipwrecks 1795–1960|last=Ingram and Wheatley|first=C.W.N. and P.O.|publisher=A.H. & A.W. Reed|year=1960|location=Wellington, New Zealand|pages=88–89}}</ref>

== Second wreck and total loss ==
On 22 February 1865, ''Daring'' was sailing from [[Taranaki]] to the [[Manukau]] with a cargo of grass seed. A severe gale arose when the vessel was offshore of the Kaipara Heads.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/nor-west-news/104287301/centuryold-schooner-uncovered-by-shifting-sand-at-muriwai-beach|title=Century-old schooner uncovered by shifting sand at Muriwai beach|website=Stuff|language=en|access-date=2018-12-17}}</ref> It was blown on to the Rangahia Beach, near the South Head of [[Kaipara Harbour]]. The crew's attempts to keep the schooner off the beach were unsuccessful. She was left on the beach above the tide line. The crew rolled and jacked the vessel to the half tide mark, hoping to re-float her with the next full tide. A heavy gale began blowing on the morning of 23 February 1865, just before the full tide, and a heavy swell set in from the West. ''Daring'' was eventually driven back to her original position lower down the beach, and became a total loss. The ship and cargo of grass seed were uninsured.<ref name=":0" /> 

== Re-discovery and recovery ==
[[File:Daring shipwreck.jpg|thumb|The Daring shipwreck at Mangawhai Museum]]
On 27 May 2017, the remains of the wreck were spotted by a local resident.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/nor-west-news/104287301/centuryold-schooner-uncovered-by-shifting-sand-at-muriwai-beach|title=Century-old schooner uncovered by shifting sand at Muriwai beach|website=Stuff|language=en|access-date=2018-12-17}}</ref> The wreck had been uncovered by shifting sands having been abandoned and buried after wrecking on the beach.  

After obtaining council permission, ''Daring'' was recovered on 12 December 2018 by the Daring Rescue Team, with assistance from the Classic Yacht Charitable Trust. Items abandoned with the wreck were also uncovered, including coins and a boot. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/109347118/rare-fully-intact-153yearold-ship-wreck-reveals-treasures--including-an-old-boot|title=Rare, fully intact 153-year-old shipwreck reveals treasures – including an old boot|website=Stuff|language=en|access-date=2018-12-17}}</ref>

''Daring'' was relocated to Hobsonville, pending plans for its preservation and display. As of January 2019, ''Daring'' is supported by a scaffolding frame and covered with shrink wrap while stabilisation work is undertaken. Volunteers wet the timbers daily to ensure the wood does not split.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/daring-rescue/updates |title='Daring' Rescue. Recovering NZ's oldest ship. – Updates – Givealittle| website=givealittle.co.nz |language=en|access-date=2019-01-09}}</ref>
 
== References ==
<references />

{{1864 shipwrecks}}
{{1865 shipwrecks}}{{Oldest surviving ships (pre-1919)}}
[[Category:1863 ships]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in June 1864]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in February 1865]]
[[Category:History of the Auckland Region]]