Hawke Scout Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Ship, Coxs Bay, Auckland |
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| Alternative names | Hawke Sea Scout Hall |
| General information | |
| Type | Boatshed and Scout hall |
| Location | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 36°50′59.70″S 174°43′30.15″E / 36.8499167°S 174.7250417°E |
| Current tenants | Hawke Sea Scouts |
| Construction started | 1952 |
| Completed | 1953 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Vernacular design |
| Main contractor | Local volunteers |
The Hawke Sea Scout Hall is a special building in Auckland, New Zealand. It sits right by Coxs Bay, between the areas of Herne Bay and Westmere. This building is mainly used by the Hawke Sea Scouts. People often call it "The Ship" because of its unique look and connection to the sea.
History of "The Ship"
The story of "The Ship" began a long time ago. In January 1928, a small boat shed was built here. It became the first home for the Hawke Sea Scouts. As more young people joined, the group needed a bigger space. So, in 1943, a hall was built right over the old boat shed. The building was made even larger in 1951.
The 1952 Fire and Rebuilding
A big fire sadly swept through the building on July 21, 1952. Almost everything was lost, including the building itself and all the gear inside. Many important trophies were destroyed. Something very special was also lost: the White Ensign flag. This flag was flown by the New Zealand cruiser HMNZS Achilles during the famous Battle of the River Plate in World War II. It was also flown when Japan surrendered, ending the war.
Work to rebuild the hall started right away. The new building, which is the one you see today, opened on Saturday, October 17, 1953. Sir John Allum officially opened it. Some of the large wooden beams and the floorboards on the top level are made from Oregon Pine. These were given by the US Marine Corps (USMC). They were based in Auckland during World War II and were taking apart their old buildings.
Community Spirit and Support
The rebuild happened very quickly thanks to a group of local women. They called themselves "The Hawke Sea Scouts Ladies Auxiliary." They did a lot of organizing and helped raise money. This was quite unusual at the time, as Scouting was mostly for boys and run by men. Their help was a big reason why "The Ship" could be rebuilt so fast.
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Oregon Pine wood given by the USMC to help rebuild "The Ship."
