Daring Story
The Daring is a carvel planked schooner built in Mangawhai in 1863 is the third boat built by Nova Scotian boat builder Donald McInnes for owners John Matheson and John Rattray, she moved to Cantebury prior to being sold and moving to the Manukau Harbour where she operated as a trader along the West Coast ports of the middle North Island.
In early 1864 she was purchased by David Kirkwood where soon after she was stranded on the bar at Waikato Heads. After being reported as a full wreck, a 500 pound insurance enabled her repair.
David Kirkwood, a migrant originally from Scotland, was well connected within local communities, fluent in Te Reo he involved local people in the attempt to re-float the Daring and was famed for helping return escaped Maori prisoners to their villages in Kawhia during the New Zealand wars.
On 21st February 1865 the Daring was aground again in a controlled beaching after being caught in a strong wind. The skipper considered this the better option rather than risking loss of boat and life on the Kaipara Bar. After unsuccessful attempts to re-float her she was abandoned and soon became buried in the sand dunes where she lay in perfect condition until a storm uncovered her in May 2018.
She was quickly identified as a unique well preserved and important piece of New Zealand’s maritime history worthy of preservation for display and education of our early shipping, cultural and social history.