'Ship mightier than crew’

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33521, 30 April 1974, Page 7

'Ship mightier than crew’

The motto of the cadet training vessel Northumberland, run by the New Zealand Shipping Company m the 19305, was mounted near the cadets’ quarters. This slogan, “The ship is mightier than the crew.” was later transferred to the Durham when she became a training vessel.

So much is heard of seamen, not always in a good light today, that praise bestowed by passengers on the behaviour of the officers and crews of the Aramoana and Rangatira during their week-end of threatening weather is timely.

As Captain Thorbjorn Saetre of the cruise liner Royal Viking Star said at Lyttelton recently, “On the sea, man is much nearer to God. Sailors are a humble and God-fearing lot because they are always exposed to nature and its uncontrollable forces. Just as a mother puts her family first in trial, all true instinctive seamen do the same for their ship. It is a natural impulse. The ship is mightier than the crew.” $ :jt ijc

The former Government steamer Hlnemoa is recalled by several correspondents, including E.E.S. The correspondent says: “I travelled as a child many hundreds of miles round the coasts aboard the Hlnemoa. I believe the last letter Captain Bollons ever wrote was to me What happened to the Hlnemoa?”

A correspondent. H.E.R., of Fendalton, who supplies a list

of many interesting vessels of the past previously recalled here, says that he believes the little Hlnemoa, built in Greenock in 1876. was purchased by Mr D. W. McKay of Invercargill in the 1930 s with the intention of running a tourist service between Bluff, Milford and other sounds. The ranks of older seamen are growing thinner at Lyttelton but there is general agreement that the Hlnemoa was stripped down at Lyttelton. After this she was apparently taken outside the Lyttelton heads and scuttled or sunk by "friendly action.” The exact date is in dispute but it is hoped that someone mav remember. In answer to P.P. of Christchurch. the Union Company's little Rotomahana was only 1777 tons gross, yet carried 300 passengers for a long period on I the ferry run, apart from other .trades. The Rangatira. under (Charter to the Union Company, lis 9387 tons gross and carries lover 700 passengers. DEPARTURES Marko Polo 18.22 a.m), 3158, Hobart (U.S.S.). Holmdale (8.30 a m ), 911. Capt. R. Speary. Chafhams (U.S.S.). Aramoana (10.16 a.m.i, 4160, Capt. A. Gullen. Wellington 'N.Z.R.I. EXPECTED ARRIVALS Coastal Trader, Auckland, today. Holmlea, Wellington, today. Union Wellington, Melbourne, today. Rangatira, Wellington, today. Yamaasa Maru, Wellington, May 1. Iron Wyndham, Australia, May 1. Vishva Sandesh. Dunedin. May 1. Woollahra. Napier, May 1 (semicontainer). Rangatira. Wellington. May 1. Coastal Trader. Dunedin. Mav 1. Hamilton. Marsden Point. May 2 (tanker). Maheno, Auckland. May 3. Hupeh, Auckland. May 4. Aluco, Geelong, May 4 itanker). Silver Fern. Nagoya, May 4. Holmdale. Chathams. May 6 Olympic Dale. Napier, May 7. PROJECTED DEPARTURES Holmlea. Wellington, today. Union Wellington, Wellington, today. Rangatira, Wellington, todav. (Daylight), Rangatira, Wellington, May 1. Coastal Trader, Auckland, May Frysna, Tauranga, May 1. Marko Marulic. Australia. .May 1. Granton, Australia, May 2. (bulk). Hertford, Hull, May 2. Maheno. Sydney, May 3. Hamilton, Timaru, May 3. (tanker). Vishva Sandesh, Wellington, May 3. Yamaasa Maru. —. Mav 4. Woollahra. Dunedin. May 4 (semicontainer). Aluco, Auckland. May 4 (tanker). Hupeh, Wellington, May 6. VESSELS IN PORT (Granton, G.P.E. 'Bulk). ! Frysna. No. 1 B.W. 1 Hertford, No. 2 East. Marko Marulic. No, 7 East.