Rangatira Carried 4 Million

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30934, 15 December 1965, Page 22

Rangatira Carried 4 Million

<N.Z Preit Association)

WELLINGTON, Dec. 14. The last of more than 4,133,000 passengers to travel on the inter-island steamer Rangatira, during her 34 years’ service, will anil from Lyttelton tomorrow night on the steamer's farewell croaaing to Wellington. The Raneatire will be replaced this week by the Mwnri. after serving since 1953 a* relief ship oa the Wetttagton-LytMton run,

bi a cotourfui core* which toctaded a fire soon after launching to 1931, several mtehaps on the New Zealand coart and wartime earrice a*

a New Zealand troop transport in the Pacific, the Rangatira has steamed more than 1,362,390 statute miles. For the farewell crossings from Wellington to Lyttelton tonight and back tomorrow, the Rangstira's passengers include a party of official gueste of the Union Steam Ship Company. Built by Vfctan Armstrong, Ltd., the Rang t (6152 tons) waa tecncned on April 18, 1931, by Lady Wfltati, wife of Sir *n>omM WMmd, the then New Zealand High Commtaton* in London.

A fire delayed the ship’s departure for needy a month, and she sailed for Port Chalmers by the Panama Canal cm Septemb* 8. She entered the Wefitog-ton-Lytteiton service und* the command of Captain W. D. Ctanem on Novemb* 3, 1931, and empt tor wartime

service as a troop transport, remained on the rim until the arrival of the Maori in Novemb* 1953.

Since the Maori joined the service, the Rangatira has been relief strip to allow the Maori and Hinemoa to be withdrawn for regular surveys and overhauls. Until 1902, the Rangatira also made excursion trip* to Pieton during the Christmas and New Ye* holidays. The first of the Rangatira’* coastal mishaps occurred ne* Sinclair Head, Wellington, on February 2, 1938, when she ran aground during a southerly gale. She was carrying 600 passengers, but there was no panic aboard. She backed off the rocks, and, well down at the bow, entered Wellington harbour stern first and under her own steam.

During another Wellington gale on April 14, 1938, the Rangatira and the cruiser Achilles collided. The Rangatira suffered only minor damage and was able to continue to Lyttelton with a full load. The Achilles received some propeil* damage and was grounded ne* the boat harbour for a short time. The ship's record of passenger safety survived a wartime mishap when she ran aground in thick fog at Pigeon Bay, Banks Peninsula. The grounding occurred early on the morning of December 29,1940. The passengers were transferred in lifeboats to the Union Company freight*. Waimarino, and taken to Lyttelton. The ship was aground for 10 hours and was taken later to Port Chaim** for repairs.