THE OLD WAKATERE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 11, 14 January 1933, Page 20

THE OLD WAKATERE

The paddle steamer Wakatere, which was launched on the Clyde in 1896, and had 30 years' sea-servico and six years' idleness in Auckland harbour, is being broken up at Auckland for scrap metal. She was brought to New Zealand by Captain W. Farquhar, who was the commodore master of the Northern Steamship Company's fleet, and had been in the company's service for 27 years, states "The New Zealand Herald." The voyage was made via the Suez Canal and Torres Strait, and occupied 82 days, the actual steaming time being 68 days. The longest passage made during the voyage without coaling was 2000 miles, from Batavia to Thursday Island. During the Wakatere's long sea career she carried thousands of passengers, and she was always popular owing to her speed, which enabled her sometimes to make the trip frpm Thames to Auckland in 3 hours 5 minutes. Captain Parquhar was succeeded as master of the vessel by his brother, Captain A. Farquhar, who retained command for 18 years. He was followed by Captain Sullivan and later by Captain McLeod, who had the vessel for a number of years, and was in command when, she mado her last trip. On sth July, 1926, the Wakatere was withdrawn froni commission, and four years later she was sold to the ship-breakers. After being dismantled of everything of value she was converted into a shingle hulk at Shoal Bay. The long exposure to the weather at the anchorage, however, began to tell, until she

became so rusted that there was a danger of her sinking. She then had to bo beached on the mud in tho bay until arrangements could be made for her final disposal.