Ilex was a 52ft Logan-designed yawl, launched on 7 May 1903 from the Bailey Yard in Auckland. She was constructed for Captain Walter Spencer Stanthorpe and Mr R H Shakespeare. At launching her dimensions were reported as: overall length 50ft, waterline 35ft, beam 11ft 6in, draft 6ft (NZ Herald, 8 May 1903). Between 1915 and 1943 Ilex had a number of owners including; Mr J C Macky (1908-1915) Mr W R Ingram (1915-1925), and Mr E H Northcroft (1927-1936). Ilex was raced regularly in Auckland events during her early days. She was converted from a yawl to a cutter in 1911.
In February 1944 Ilex was bought by Wellington businessman Norman W Thomas. After converting her to a ketch and adding a wheelhouse, he raced her regularly in Wellington and took part in the 1946 Sydney-Hobart race. Other major voyages undertaken were Wellington to Manukau in January 1946, and a circumnavigation of the South Island in February-March 1946.
Ilex was sold to the Free Church of Tonga and delivered to Tongatapu in October 1948. She was bought by Tofa Ramsay in 1957 who renamed her Tuaikaepau. Under his ownership, Ilex carried cargo and passengers in the Tonga Islands, and between Tonga and Auckland. On her final voyage, Tuaikaepau departed Tongatapu for Auckland in July 1962 to get repairs in Auckland. With 7 crew and 10 passengers on board, she was wrecked on South Minerva Reef, southwest of Tongatapu Island on 6 July while under the command of Captain David Fifita. The ship’s crew were marooned on Minerva Reef for three months. The survivors built a small boat and three of the crew sailed to Kandavu in the Fiji Islands. There were 12 survivors from the 17 who originally left Tongatapu.
A more detailed history of the Ilex is available on the attached pdf
thomasfamilyhistorynz 
Hi David! I’ve been trying to find your email again and have been unsuccessful. I was trying to let you know that the film is in its final stages. I wanted to thank you for your representation on the film and the time and effort as well as the materials. Your contribution was huge for us and the film looks great. I will contact you when the film is available. We are currently attempting to submit in to Film Festivals. Thank You again David!
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