Ship’s propeller found at French Pass

Press, 12 February 1980, Page 3

Ship’s propeller found at French Pass

PA Nelson A team of Hawke’s Bay divers has found, a. large bronze propeller in French Pass, thought to have been lost from" the Nikau more than 50 years ago. A long-time resident of the area, Mr. Roy Webber, said yesterday that the visiting divers found • the propeller last week-end but they were not disclosing the actual location.

“1 am certain it is from the Nikau?l can remember I was at school then, and so it makes it 50 to 60 years ago,” he said. “The ship, I believe, lost .one. of its two propellers after backing from the French Pass wharf. I can remember the divers looking for it wearing canvas suits, brass ■ helmets, and heavy boots.” That search was unsuc-

cessful, but Mr Webber believes the sea has now given up its secret. . i ‘

The propeller is valuable as scrap, and for historical reasons. The divers, he said, had not yet.decided what to do with their find. Records of the Anchor Shipping and Foundry Company, Ltd, say that the Nikau (248 tonnes) arrived at Nelson on her maiden voyage in July, 1909. ’t was quickly found that she was ideal "for the Nelson and Wellington run. For many years she- made three return trips a week carrying freight and passengers. She was converted to a motor ship in 1935. . The Glasgow-built Nikau was sold by ’the Anchor Company in 1954. Her last voyage was ’on December 5, 1964, when she was wrecked at Loasia, on the east coast of Tanna Island, in the New Hebrides.