CAME TO N.Z. IN 1905

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 6 February 1943, Page 5

CAME TO N.Z. IN 1905

NELSON-WELLINGTON SERVICE The Arahura was built at Dumbarton by W. Denny and Bros., and was brought to New Zealand late in 1905. She traded between Nelson, Wellington, Picton and West Coast ports, then between Napier, Gisborne and Auckland. and later between Wellington and Picton. The Anchor Shipping Company bought her in December, 1925, and since then she has been employed on the Nelson-Wellington service. Captain W. A. Wildman was the first master of the Arahura for the Anchor Company, and was succeeded by his son, W. A. Wildman, Jnr., now master of the Matangi. Captain R. J. Hay, who for several years has been master of the Arahura, has been on the Nelson-Wellington service as master of Anchor Company vessels since August, 1909. VESSEL’S CREW The crew of the Arahura is as follows: — R. J. Hay, Master. E. H. Fowler, Mate. R. Greenslade Second Mate. W. G. Henigan, Third Mate. C. Barltrop, Chief Engineer. W. Blanch, Second Engineer. V. E. Harney, Third Engineer. D. MacLachlan, L.A.8.; P. Willis, J. Grayling, W. Lyndon, W. J. Whiting, F. Cappillo, W. Briggs, Able Seamen; J. Bingley, ordinary seaman; R. Nalder, boy; G. Fulton, donkeyman; H. Baird, E. Condon, greasers; W. E. Crump, R. W. Humphries, O. Kenning, R. Wickberg, L. Parsloe, E. Gallagher, firemen; J. E. Riley, E. G. Morrison, B. Webb, trimmers; P. Sullivan, peggy; W. E. Goldspink, chief steward; S. R. Muir, E. Vile, T. Giles, D. Thwaites, A. Clarke, H. Crandle, J. Carmody, assistant stewards; T. Pascoe leading waiter; R. G. Neilson, pantryman; V. J. Hodges, n’man; A. W. C. Unwin, chief cook; R. A. Smith, 2nd cook; E. Reed, s’man; M. Hill, stewardess. TELEPHONE EXCHANGE BUSY As the news of the Arahura became known the telephone exchange at Nelson had an exceedingly busy time. From early this morning the operators were kept working at a feverish rate to connect the sudden influx of calls from subscribers anxious to discuss the news or confirm or deny rumours. However, the situation the exchange was handled efficiently and when it became generally known that the passengers were safe and on their way to French Pass, the extra work thrown upon the operators slackened off. LAUNCHES FROM FRENCH PASS The launches which left French Pass this morning to assist in bringing back passengers from the Arahura were the Noeline ( owned by Mr C. S. Jacobsen), the Spray (Mr E. S. Hope), the Southern Cloud (Mr R. Connolly), the Tinui (Mr Elkington), the Elsie (Mr C. J. Norberg), and the Air Force launch.