Major Sir Ernest Harston
1939: Amokura features in The Yachting Monthly article “New designs”
This article originally appeared in The Yachting Monthly in February 1939. You can access a copy of the original article here. A Fast 50ft. Yawl Shepherd-Designed 23 Ton Cruiser LOA......................................50.75 ft....
1939: Report in The Motor Boat and Yachting
"Amokura" – Sailing Trials of a Fast Auxiliary Yawl NAMED after a white bird with a slender red tail, which is found in New Zealand, Major E. S. Harston's auxiliary cruising yawl, "Amokura," proved to have a fine turn of speed when sailing, and a...
1951: Mystery photo!
In the early stages of compiling this website, Beken's photos of Amokura were one of the first materials to surface. These have many attractions - their timeless style, the insight into the past, and the delight of seeing Amokura's original,...
1940s: A stylish toast to a race competitor
James Harries, Sir Ernest Harston's grandson, recounts: The other story I know comes from my cousin Brig. Jim Grear. He arrived in the UK just after the war and crewed Amokura quite a few times. Sadly, Jim passed away a few years ago, but told the...
1946: First yacht into Cherbourg after the 1939-45 war
Recounted by James Harries, grandson of Sir Ernest Harston, who kindly got in touch through the contact page: "There is a story in the family about the first Cherbourg race after the 39-45 war. Sir Ernest claimed that they were first into Cherbourg...
1953 Cine film: Amokura racing at Abersoch
This film was kindly shared by Sir Roger Boyle. He describes the film as follows: 'My father and his brother (both doctors in the Manchester area) used to escape from family duties to sail on various yachts moored at Abersoch. There were some old...
Ownership history
This table shows all known owners of Amokura from her launch in 1939 to the present day.
1969: The Carrs welcome Sir Ernest Harston aboard
In August 1969 the Carr family visited Bucklers Hard on the Beaulieu River to show off their newly refitted boat to Sir Ernest Harston, for whom she had been built in 1939. These pictures show Amokura being greeted at Bucklers Hard by Sir Ernest...
1947-69 Photos by ‘Beken of Cowes’
These photographs were taken by Beken of Cowes, the renowned marine photographers. Click on any image to see a larger version. The first shows Amokura competing in the 1947 Cowes to Cherbourg race. The photograph was taken near Cowes on 23 May...
1940s-50s: Happy crew on board Amokura
She does seem to be a happy ship! It's quite possible that these photographs were taken during the Harstons' ownership of Amokura. If you have any information or ideas about who the people on board might be, please do get in touch via the contact...
1939: Sea trials
These photos are of Amokura on sea trials in Southampton Water in May 1939, or shortly thereafter. The first picture seems to show Lady Harston back in the cockpit and a range of other people possibly boatyard employees, sitting on deck.
1939: Family and friends on board after the launch
In the second photograph the lady to the right standing by the shrouds is believed to be Ernest Harston's wife Lady Harston and the younger lady standing in the centre of the picture is thought to be their daughter Barbara.
1946: “We Should Have Had The Poisson” by Ernest Harston
This piece was written by E. S. Harston, Amokura's first owner, and published in The Yachting Year 1946-47 I don't think this story is altogether true, so that if any of the deleterious types who formed part of Amokura's crew happen to read it,...