THE OLD WAKATERE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19372, 6 July 1926, Page 13

THE OLD WAKATERE.

OLOSE OF NOTABLE CAREER.

THIRTY YEARS IN THAMES RUN. CAPTAIN MCLEOD'S RETIREMENT. On arriving from Scotland on December 13, 1896, the Northern Company's paddle steamer Wakatere was described as the most up-to-date addition to the company's fleet, and a distinct acquisition k the coastal trade. The Wakatere was brought out specially for the Thames service, and on tying up at Auckland yesterday the old vessel completed a note* worthy career of nearly 30 years in the run. She is now to lay up indefinitely, although it is probable she will be engaged in summer excursions in the gttlf. The gold rush to Thames in the early days of 1896 was primarily responsible lor the company's decision to purchase the Wakatere. She was originally designed for the Isle of Man packet service, but was bought on the stocks by the Northern Company owing to ber suitability for the Auckland-Thames service. A fast steamer was required, and the Wakatere attained a speed of 16 knots on her trials, which was regarded as eminently satisfactory. Captain W. Farquhar, who was then commodore-cap-tain of the company, the vessel's construction, while Mr. J. Coutts, superintendent-engineer, * had charge of the machinery. The Wakatere was launched at Yoker, on the Clyde, in May, 1896, her arrangement being of the general type of Clyde coasting steamers of those days. The name, meaning "swift canoe" in Maori, was wall-chosen, as the ship exceeded all expectations on her trials, while her interior decoration evoked much praise. Her gross tonnage is 450, the principal dimensions being; Length, 210 ft.; breadth, 26ft.; draught, stt The engines were constructed to give 1800 h.p.» the steam being supplied by two cylindrical tubular boilers, in which a forced draught was installed. Captain Farquhar, who bad been in the company's service for 2? years at the time, brought the small steamer out to Auckland, proceeding via Suez Canal and Torres Strait. The time occupied was 82 days, the actual steaming time being 68 days, while the longest stretch covered without coaling was the 2000 miles from Batavia to Thursday Island. , The vessel was commanded in tne Thames service for some years by Captain Farquhar. who was then replaced by his brother, CapUin A. who was master for 18 yearfc Captain Sam van followed, while Captain E. McLcod. who has been in command for «ome years, completed his ,ttSt tn P S incidentally his last voyage for the company, having retired after about y 'S S ptaTn rV McW has oomrnandea pm:ticallv every one of the company s numerous vLek. His Inst ship was the Clansman He is o* the ~ ~jj borthern coast, and his retirement brings au hocoorablo csrser to a acse.