LONG SERVICE ENDED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19235, 26 January 1926, Page 8

LONG SERVICE ENDED.

THE LAST OF THE WANAKA. REPLACED BY NEW SHIP. VESSEL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. The Union Company is gradually withdrawing the older steamers of its fleet from active service and replacing them with new vessels. The latest to b<3 relegated to '''Rotten Row" is the Wanaka, now laid up at Auckland, The, annual survey certificate of the Wanaka has expired and owing to her age the company does not feel justified is spending a large sum of money upon her overhaul. She is being replaced by a 4000-ton ship, which is now being built and is expected to reach New Zealand about next September. Iri the meantime the coastal service is being carried on by the Katoa. Kurow, Wingatui and Waipahi.

The Wanaka's sea service covers a period of 39 years. Her tonnage is 2495 gross and sho was built by Messrs. U Connell and Company at Glasgow in 1887 for a Melbourne firm. She was first named the Liddesdale. Early in her career she was badly damaged 'at Melbourne and in consequence almost all the bottom of her hull had to be renewed. After repairs had been completed she was purchased by the Union Company, which utilised her in the Calcutta trade, now being done by the Sussex. Later she was engaged for some time in taking coal to Fiji and then loading sugar for Auckland.

For a dumber of years past the kanaka has been in the coastal service carrying produce from South Island ports to Auckland. She was a very serviceable steamer for the work :n spite of her age, the holds being of a good size for expeditious handling of cargo. The ship was especially adapted for the carriage of sheep, large numbers of which are shipped between ports during the season. On Saturday the Wanaka was moved to the stream where she will remain for an indefinite period. _______