HISTORIC STEAMER

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 83, 9 April 1928, Page 10

HISTORIC STEAMER

» AN OCEAN GREYHOUND MARKED FOR DESTRUCTION END OF ROTOMAHANA One of the most popular ships of a past day on the New Zealand coast, the Botomahaua, is now Hearing her end at Port Melbourne, where her owners have given instructions for her to bo broken up, and the hull to be sunk at sea. Tho Botomahaua for many yeara held tho proud title of "ocean greyhound," but those days aro now long past. Tho old vessel has passed into the clutches of the shipbreaker, who is no respecter of past performances' or of the romantic story of an historic ship. The top-hamper of the Kotomabana has already been taken away, and the teak wood deck has also been removed, so that really only the mere shell remains. .The graceful lines of tho hull are still unchanged, but tho steamer's flue proportions have disappeared with the removal of the funnel and the deckhouses. The figurehead, which made the Botomahana more prominent because she existed in a world of shipping.that are mostly bare in this respect, that of a Maori princess, leaning far out over the bows, has been taken away; and before long the vessel, which most people will recognise as a real link in New Zealand history, will be towed out beyond Port Phillip Heads, at the entrance of Port Melbourne, to be scut to her last rest beside the Coogec, her one-time opponent in the Australian trade, and tho Buninyong, in Bass Strait. Beferring to the departure of the old ship on her last journey, a shipping writer of the "Melbourne Argus" says that special care was taken by W. Denny and Brothers over the construction of the Kotomahana, for- she was intended, it is said, as a pleasure yacht for a prince. The vessel was launched at Dumbarton in June, 1879, but, before she could be completed, her owner died, and she had to bo offered for sale. Of 1777 tons gross register, and with a speed of 15J. knots, the Rotomahana was eminently suited for a Royal yacht, and there were fears that no ordinary- purchaser would be found for her. The Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand decided, ho.wever, to purchase her for their. New Zealand-Australia service, and the vessel left Plymouth early in August, 1879. Sho reached Melbourne on 22nd September, after having taken only 43 days on tho journey, including calls at* St. Vincent and Capetown. The new steamer attracted much attention at Melbourne and Wellington. Crowds vsiited her, and sho was hailed as the "fastest and finest steamer of her kind afloat." Accommodation in the first-class had been provided for 140 passengers, and the salodn and other public rooms were much admired. The saloon itself remained almost unaltered until a few years ago. Polished bird's-eye maple, satinwood, rosewood, teak, and mahogany were used in its decoration, the most noteworthy feature being the panelling. Decorative corner carving surmounted each panol, each piece of work being handcarved, and no two designs were similar. The "cabin-dc-luxe" was known as tho "bridal chamber." It was a large state cabin on deck, and • the agents announced that it had been furnished specially for tho convenience of honeymoon couple's, or for thoso celebrating a silver or golden wedding. Tho Rotomahana was placed on the run between New Zealand and Melbourne until 1894, when she was transferred to the service between Melbourne ami Lnunceston- specially to compete with the Huddnrt Parker lino steamer Coogce. She remained on this service for only a few months, when she returned to the New Zealand service, being for some years tho ferry between We}; lington and Lyttclton. In 1908, the Eotomahana returned to the Melbourne Launcestou run," onco more in competition with the Coogec. For two years these vessels were keen rivals, until the Coogee was withdrawn from tho service in 1910, and it is only fitting that both rivals will go to the same resting-place off Capo Schanek, in 20 fathoms ■of water. It was not until IP2I that the Itotomaluuia was finally withdrawn from active service, her place being taken by the new steamer Nairnna. It is chiefly through her service .up ami down the const of New Zealand mid in her inter-colonial running that die Itotouiahana. is knoivn to New Zealand travellers. The Rotomahana was offered for sale by public auction in April, 19-5, under the condition tljat she was not to be used in tho Australian coastal traffic. After some spirited bidding tho ship was sold for £1700 to Messrs. Power and Davis, of Port Melbourne, who soon after began the-work of breaking her up. Workmen employed on the Kol-omaha-na have made many interesting finds. Menus, wine lists, and passenger lists there wore in plenty, and several nets of false teeth , were found in various recesses. There hud been a notice pro,ininenlly displayed in the stcenigi! requesting passengers to remove their boots before retiring to bird, bill this, with other notices, had been removed. For two years or more tho sliipbri-alu'rs have gone about their work, and little of value remains to be taken away before tho steamer that was once the sliow vessel of the New Zealand find Australian coasts goes to her last restingplace. It has been generally believed- that tho Kotomahaua was the first ocean-go-ing vessel to be constructed of- mild steel, but this is not correct, Two years prior to the Uptomfihana being launched in IS7O, the Allan liner Buenos Ayreau made her appcai-niic.-. and she was the pioneer ship'in tliia rospccl. The Ito.tonialiana's engines wit considered at that period to be very powerful, developing, as they did. 2700 horse power. On her maiden run from the Clydo to tho Cape, sho attained a speed of 10 knots, increasing this by a further two knots between Africa and New Zealand.