Redhead (Motorboat)

Redhead made powerboating history when on 22 February 1953 she became the first in Australasia to travel at more than 100mph. Owned by Sir Leonard Southward and powered by a 1450hp Allison V12 engine, she subsequently held most of Australasia’s major water speed trophies for most of the 1950’s. Her career came to an end in Picton in 1959 when competing in the Masport Cup, a buckled propeller shaft ripped a hole in her hull and she sank in front of a crowd of several thousand people. She is now displayed in the Southward Car Museum, as she was when she was lifted out of the water.

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School jubilees, ministerial houses, Australian Cricket Tour of New Zealand, Highland P...

Date: Feb 1947, Feb-Mar 1950

From: New Zealand Free Lance : Photographic prints and negatives

Reference: PAColl-0785-1-138

Description: Photographs published in NZ Free Lance, Feb 1947 & Feb-Mar 1950. Includes: Three photographs taken during Lyttelton (Main) School jubilee held in Jan 1950 - Group photograph of six oldest pupils (Mr C J Aschman, Mrs M Jenkins (nee Barnes), Mrs C Shand, Mrs M E Morris (nee Roberts), Mrs M J Robson (nee Carson), Mr A Watson; Mr Alfred Day (oldest pupil) ringing the school bell; church parade with W T Lester (former Mayor and ex pupil) & G F Briggs (present Mayor & ex pupil) leading the parade. Photographs published 1 Feb 1950. Includes: Three photographs taken of Marlborough College Golden Jubilee - Mrs W J Girling (Mayoress) with Mrs A Rose & son John; march past of present-day pupils; group photo of former pupils of the 1900 period in uniforms of that time. Published in NZ Free Lance, 23 Mar 1950 Includes: Ministerial house in Harbour View Road, Northland, Wellington (purchased while M J Savage was PM); `Westview', Grass Street, Oriental Bay (considered as a residence for Hon S G Holland but access considered too difficult); house in Derby Street, St Albans, Christchurch (home to Hon S G Holland for 19 years). Published, along with photos of other residences, NZ Free Lance, 1 Feb 1950, p 23. Includes: Photographs taken during Australian Cricket Tour of NZ in 1950 - series of photos of Australia playing Auckland at Eden Park; published in NZ Free Lance, 1 Mar 1950, p 28. Includes: Several photographs taken during Highland Pipe Bands Championships held at Eden Park, Auckland - Auckland & District Pipe Band; Auckland Police Pipe Band; City of Christchurch Pipe Band; Auckland Ladies Pipe Band; also Captain Smeal of Auckland (Chief Marshall). Published in NZ Free Lance, 29 Mar 1950, p 29 Other photographs include: Fire at Smith & Smith Ltd, Cuba Street, Wellington. Published in NZ Free Lance, 11 Mar 1950; Deep sea fishing - Tuna landed by Ron Mathieson, Bay of Plenty on `Galatea', & swordfish landed by Mrs A V Brownson of Auckland at Otehei Bay on `Avalon' (Feb 1950); group photo of 21 members of the RNZAF Catalina crews from No 5 Squadron, Fiji before their departure to join RAF in Hong Kong to replace a detachment of No 88 Squadron, RAF, which is now stationed in Fiji (all named on back). Also: Children cycling along street outside Armstrong's department store, Christchurch (published 29 Mar 1950); `Redhead', Len Southward's speedboat in Evans Bay, Wellington; Sharon & Gaylene Putt of Onehunga at Auckland Zoo holding a honey bear, and with curator R W Roach (22 ar 1950); damage to home of W Laird, Rata Street, Wanganui during worst storm in 35 years (26 Feb 1947); flood damage to bridge in Ashburton area (undated); public visiting `Bellona' (1 Feb 1950); C Class Rifleman Fred Ongley (Justice Ongley) at National Rifle Championships at Trentham (8 Mar 1950). Also: Photographs of Fijian soldiers undergoing special training at Trentham Military Camp - J N B Tonganivalu (first Fijian to undergo the cadet officers' course in NZ); L/Cpl Semi Davui; Sgt J C Kingdon (jungle-fighter before Fijian commandos were formed in WWII). Article and photographs published in NZ Free Lance, 1 Feb 1950, p 31. Quantity: 39 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin prints

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Redhead - motorboat

Date: 1949

From: Cowan, James Robson, 1918-2006: Collection

Reference: PAColl-10756-03

Description: Photographic prints documenting the painting and preparation of the motorboat 'Redhead' of Sir Len Southward in 1949, most likely taken by Roy Cowan. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 12 b&w original photographic print(s).

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Len Southward working on the speedboat 'Redhead' in a shed

Date: 12 Mar 1958

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: EP/1958/0876-F

Description: Photograph taken for the Evening Post newspaper of Wellington by an unidentified staff photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative, 6.5 x 6.5 cm

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The speedboat Redhead racing the flying boat Ararangi, Evans Bay, Wellington

Date: 17 January 1951

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: 114/250/05-G

Description: Len Southward's speedboat 'Redhead' racing the TEAL Solent flying boat 'Ararangi' at Evans Bay. Photographed 17 January 1951 by an Evening Post staff photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative

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The speedboat Redhead, of Len Southward

Date: 1958

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: EP/1958/0419-F

Description: Photograph taken for the Evening Post newspaper of Wellington by an unidentified staff photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative 6.5 x 6.5 inches

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Len Southward in his speedboat Redhead, after retaining the Masport Cup

Date: 1951

From: New Zealand Free Lance : Photographic prints and negatives

Reference: PAColl-6388-28

Description: Len Southward in his speedboat Redhead, after retaining the Masport Cup in 1951. The logo of the Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club is painted on the side of the boat. Photographer unidentified. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print 210 x 158 mm

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The speed boat "Redhead" on Evans Bay

Date: 1953

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: EP/1953/0377-G

Description: Len Southward's speed boat "Redhead" on Evans Bay, Wellington. On 22 February "Redhead" reached one hundred miles an hour. Photographed for the Evening Post newspaper by an unknown photographer on 22nd of February, 1953 A similar photograph (cropped) was published in the Evening Post on 23 February 1953 Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Glass negative

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The speedboat Redhead and the flying boat Ararangi at Evans Bay, Wellington

Date: 17 January 1951

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: 114/250/06-G

Description: Len Southward's speedboat 'Redhead', CAA control launch, and flying boat 'Ararangi' at Evans Bay, Wellington, taken 17 January 1951 by an Evening Post staff photographer Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative

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