RUAHINE’S LAST VOYAGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 25 January 1939, Page 2

RUAHINE’S LAST VOYAGE

TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM SERVICE (Unileii Press Association! AUCKLAND, 24th January. Now in her thirtieth year of service in the trade between England and the Dominion, the New Zealand Shipping Company’s liner Ruahine is shortly to be withdrawn from service. On her arrival at Auckland from the North of England with general cargo, it was reported to-day that she was on her last voyage.

At one time one of the most popular liners in the England-New Zealand passenger trade, the Ruahine made her outward voyage empty of travellers. All deck equipment bad been removed and though the furnishings in the locked cabins and public rooms remained, they served to emphasise the strangeness of the atmosphere. The liner, which is of 10,879 tons gross, and which had carried thousands of soldiers, emigrants and tourists during her long life, seemed unfamiliar to members of her complement as she made her journey deserted. The oldest ship in the company’s passenger fleet, the Ruahine was built as a coal-burner in 1909 by W. Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton. In 1923 she followei other ships of the fleet in being changed to an oil-burner. Her accommodation in three classes was altered in 1933 for tourist class only, the quarters ranging over four decks. On this voyage the Ruahine is under the command of Captain H. A. Fryer. She will discharge her full cargo at Princes Wharf, and then load produce for the return passage to Britain.