OLD UNION LINERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 228, 26 September 1931, Page 10

OLD UNION LINERS.

HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS.

FIFTY YEARS OF BUILDING

PROGRESS

RECORDS OF FAMILIAR SHIPS.

The Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand has played a very prominent part in building up and maintaining the sea-borne trade of this Dominion, and some of the old steamers that went down to the sea and carried on their business in great: waters. in the early days, are old familiar friends with the travelling public. The 'stately Aorangi, some 600 ft long, with a displacement of nearly 18,000 tons, is a regular visitor to the port of Auckland, and a more comprehensive idea of the remarkable progress achieved by this deservedly popular and enterprising shipping company, during a period extending over half; a century, will be conveyed by a recital of incidents connected with the old jfavouiite ships of the red funnel fleet. .

Away tack in 1880 the service between New Zealand ports and Australia was conducted by the Wakatipu (1945 tons), Te Anau (1623), and the famous Rotomahana, afterwards known as the "Greyhound of the Pacific." The Wakatipu, named after the lake, was constructed in 1876, and was a handsome and wellappointed vessel. The Te Anau, a constant visitor to this port, made many friends whilst engaged in the intercolonial and coastal services. She proved ' ® w, exce P fiona Hy fine sea boat, and earned the reputation of being a very dry ship m rough weather. y

The Rotomahana. TJe Rotomahana, undoubtedly the prettiest ship ever seen in New Zealand waters, was. built by W. Denriv Bros., of Dumbarton, in the 1879 and during her long and variou? career' rendered yeoman service to her owners' She arrived at Lyttelton early in 1880 and created quite a sensation in the southern port. Her schooner bow rakish masts, and huge smoke .stack, placed her m- a--class ~by, herself.- - Some of the

Canterbury farmers told their friends that she was .nearly a quarter of a mile long! Her length was just qver 298 ft, and her gross tonnage 1777. Her masthead was adorned with a bronze greyhound, about .4-Jft long, which never failed' to interest young New Zealanders-. The Rotomahana was the first steamer to be built of mild steel, and the fact that her engines and boilers so ably withstood the terrific strairt ipiposed upon them during the opposition period, provides a splendid testimony' to the value of British workmanship. The old ship's career was terminated some five years ago,, when she was blown up and sunk outside Port Phillip Heads.

In 1881 the directors of the Union Company realised the necessity for additions to the fleet to meet New Zealand's rapidly-growing trade requirements, and an order was placed for two new vessels, somewhat larger than their predecessors. In due time the sister ships Manapouri and Wairarapa (each 2060 tons) arrived', and were placed in commission. The service between Sydney, Auckland and Dun'edin was conducted by these sister vessels for a considerable time, and they proved very popular with the travelling public. *

Wreck of Wairarapa. The Manapouri was employed, in a number of services, and! eventually was transferred to the Melbourne-Hobart run. Tlie ill-fated Wairarapa was en route fiom Sydney to Auckland in October, 1804, when she struck the rocks at Miner's Head, Great Barrier Island, and became a total wreck with the loss of over 150 lives. The disaster was entirely due the fact that the ship's master (Captain John Mcintosh), was endeavouring to reach Auckland before the Huddart-Parker liner Tasmania, and the Wairarapa was being driven down the coast at full speed, in thick foggy weather, when she met her doom. She crashed on the rocks at the foot of a towering cliff,, shortly after midnight on a Sunday, and no news of the calamity was received in the city until the following Thursday morning, when the Northern Company's steamer Argyle arrived in Auckland with the survivors.

More New Ships. Further building activity took place in 1882, three new vessels being constructed during that year, the Hauroto (1988 tons), Tarawera (2003 tons) and Waihora (1994 tons). The Hauroto was employed in the Wellington-Sydney run for many years, and afterwards in the Islands service. She then had a long spell of idleness in Auckland harbour, and- was eventually sold to Eastern

buyers, shortly after the war broke out. The Tarawera and Waihora were regular visitors to Auckland, and exceeding!) popular with the travelling public. Captain Neville was in command of the ■Waihora while she was engaged in the intercolonial trade. He was a kindly S en * , man, beloved by everyone who travelle on his ship. Nothing pleased him better than a full muster of passengers a divine service, which he always eonducted in the steamer's social Ml -on Sunday mornings. .

Mararoa and Monowai. : r ,- Follovviug the arrival of the-steamers built in 18S2, no further important contracts for passenger ships were pl® ce until early in 1885, when Denny; wo* received the order to build what at wards proved to be the most popu a vessel of the Red Funnel fleeter , steamship Mararoa. Of 2598 tons u den, with an overall length of 320 ft, j Mararoa was far superior to any o j other vessels in the New Zealand. tra • both as regards tonnage, speed a appointments. . ' - The Mararoa was placed in the' SajJ Francisco-Auckland-Sydney service, carried on until replaced by the Mono (3433 tons), built by Denny Bros. » 1890. The Monowai was Captain Carey, the commodore. 0 .. j Union fleet at that time, and she.ca the royal mail ensign for many y®_ '■ in conjunction with the American-o vessels Alameda and Mariposa. Monowai was a well-found ship, , rakish masts giving her a very S appearance. The music hall was. e. fully decorated, and the carved sideboard which graced the never failed to excite admiration. _ 1902 she broke her tailshaffc whilst route from Bluff to Hobart and . helplesslv for some days until pic . , by the company's steamer Mokoia, from Hobart to Dunedin. A lon* caig of useful service was ended wnen old ship was sunk to form a breaks on the East Coast.

The Island Trade. During 1890-1891 a special effort made to foster the South Sea, . j n trade, and three new vessels fli" l "'.- Auckland during that period, the (1542 tons), Ovalau (1250 Upolu (1141 tons). For some _ able time afterwards Auckland™ chants carried on a highly P trade with the various . isJf n Pacific, and fruit of all kinds sr ? and plentiful. A.local . Donald and Edenborough) also aau small steamer Richmond runn B tween Auckland and Rarotonga, (To be •