MV Pilgrim Celebrates Centenary

As Real Journeys gears up for the iconic TSS Earnslaw’s centenary celebrations, another of its vessels, MV Pilgrim has quietly marked her 100th anniversary on Lake Te Anau.

MV Pilgrim, built of heart kauri timber, was one of the first vessels operated by Real Journeys founders Les and Olive Hutchins on Lake Manapouri in the 1950’s.

Built by Bailey and Lowe in Auckland, she was originally used as a pilot vessel on Otago Harbour before being transferred to Lake Manapouri in the early 1920’s by the Burns family of Oamaru.

In 1930 early tourism pioneer Les Murrell bought the vessel and used her to carry passengers to West Arm to walk the Doubtful Sound walking track. To enhance viewing, Mr Murrell raised the roof line and added the large glass cabin complete with a roof hatch for the skipper to pop his head through during poor visibility.

Real Journeys Te Anau Manager, Neil Collinson, said ownership of the Pilgrim transferred to Les and Olive Hutchins when they purchased Les Murrell’s estate and began operating the Manapouri Doubtful Sound Tourist Company (later Fiordland Travel Ltd and now Real Journeys.)

After being sold in 1964 and later bought back, the MV Pilgrim eventually fell into disrepair. But in 1986 the she was completely restored to her former glory at Gough Bros. Engineering Invercargill.

Mr Collinson said, “The contract read, ‘Vessel to be refurbished with its original appearance foremost in mind to meet Ministry of Transport requirements for limited commercial use. The materials to be used are to be the best available. All work to be carried out in the best tradition tradesman’s like manner.”

Mr Collinson said MV Pilgrim has had several nicknames over the years.

“In Les Hutchins book Making Waves, the Pilgrim was referred to as the Grim Pill due to its narrow beam giving the vessel a tendency to roll when the lake was rough which caused passengers to feel seasick. She is also known as the “floating glasshouse” due to the appearance of the covered cabin.”

Today the Pilgrim is moored in Te Anau Boat Harbour and maintained by Real Journeys.

For more information contact:
Neil Collinson
Tel: 03 249 8646
Mobile: 027 229 0759

Or Gabby Lake
Marketing Communications Co-ordinator
Tel: 03 442 4830