THE HINEMOA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 68, 31 December 1928, Page 2

THE HINEMOA.

A CREDIT TO CLYDESIDE. If the old-established shipbuilding firm of Scott, of Greenock, requires any advertisement, it is surely to be found in the history of the New Zealand Government steamer Hmemoa, which was recently laid aside on the commissioning of the new motor-ship Maui Pomare, states the "Journal of Commerce" editorially. Although she was built as long ago as 1876, her hull is still as stout and good as ever it was, and her engines are worthy of discussion wherever engineers congregate. Although she was only designed for 11 knots, only recently she maintained a steady 10£ for a whole day, and she is one of the most reliable vessels ever built. When she took the water in 1876 Scott's had a great reputation for clipper ships, the Sir Lancelot being one of their most famous productions, and there is no doubt that the clipper schoool had a very great influence on her desfgn. With her clipper stem and perfect counter, she is everything that a steamer should be as regards appearance, and the New Zealand Government men who have been in charge of her have taken pride in keeping her as clean and smart as the Mediterranean flagship. They have every reason to be proud of her, for she has undertaken many duties since she first went out to New Zealand waters. In the early days her principal work was to carry members of Parliament from the outlying constituencies to Wellington, for in those days the normal communications of the Dominion were far from perfect, but as travel became easier, she was converted into a lighthouse tender, taking over her duties in 188 J after sundry alterations had been made in her," including the fitting of a new boiler. Old-time sailormen will remember the wreck of the British ship Spirit of Dawn, and the hardships of the men living on raw penguin flesh for months. It was the Hinemoa who rescued them, just as she rescued the crew of the French sailing ship Anjou in 1905 and the barque Dundonald two years later. Latterly her job has been to maintain communication to Norfolk and Nine Islands, including the transort of a largo number of lepers to the isolation station. Truly a wonderful old. ship with a wonderful career.