COASTERS SOLD FOR SCRAP

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28130, 20 November 1956, Page 10

COASTERS SOLD FOR SCRAP

Matangi And Totara At Pelorus DUTCH TUG WILL MAKE TOW TO JAPAN “The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON, Nov. 19. Two veteran coasters, the Totara and the Matangi, have been sold to overseas interests and are to take shipments of scrap iron to Japan. They will be tqwed from Pelorus Sound to Japan for breaking up. A large Dutch ocean-going tug, due shortly, will do the towing. Both the Matangi and the Totara were owned by Messrs F. A. and N. J. Wells, of Wakatahauri, and have already been stripped of most of their useful fittings. They were formerly well-known units of the Anchor Shipping Company, of Nelson. The small coaster. Paroto, is making about six trips from Wellington across to the Sounds with scrap iron, with which the Matangi and the Totara are to be filled before the tow begins. A considerable amount of this scrap consists of old Wellington tram lines, and is being loaded at Miramar wharf. Built in 1908

Built in 1908 at Glasgow, as the Mourilyan, the Matangi first traded in Australian waters, and was later sold to the Northern Company of Auckland. The Anchor Company, of Nelson, acquired her in 1929, and she ran in conjunction with the Arahura on the Wellington-Nelson ferry service till July, 1950. when both these steamers were replaced by the larger Ngaio. After spending some time at Sherry Bay wharf and at anchorage in Rotten Row. the Matangi was towed to Pelorus Sound by the Nikau in April, 1952. Since then most of the interior fittings have been removed. All the rich mahogany maple has been taken out and the honeysuckle panelling in the lounges and companion-ways has been disposed of. mostly to Nelson cabinetmakers. The massive engine has been dismantled for its cast steel and brass. The Totara was laid up in June last year after 30 years’ service. A steamer of 421 tons, she was built at Hull in 1921 as the Margaret Birch. Most of her service on the New Zealand coast has been between Westport, Nelson, and Wellington.

In 1952 she was pensioned off and tied up at Shelly Bay. but was refitted for service again in the following year when the Ngaio was withdrawn, and placed on the nightly Wel-lington-Nelson mail service.