SHIP FOR COAST TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21278, 3 September 1932, Page 8

SHIP FOR COAST TRADE

VESSEL BOUGHT IN SYDNEY THE PORT WHANGAREI The small steamer Marion Sleigh, -which has been converted into a motor-ship at Sydney and renamed Port Whangarei, is expected to leave Sydney for Auckland next Friday, to be employed in the New Zealand coastal cargo trade. The vessel was purchased at Sydney last Juno by Captain A. F. Watchlin. Ho owns the motor-ship Port Waikato, which is engaged in the New Zealand coastal trade, but will bo transferred to the intercolonial cargo service when tho Port |Whangaroi reaches New Zealand. Captain Watchlin's new purchase is a steel vessel of 506 tons and was built at Bremerhaven, Germany, in 1906. During tho vessel's 26 years' career she has had seven names. Her first name was Mars and afterwards sho was renamed in succession Marie, Kothe, Newston, Favorita, Donna Catalina and Marion Sleigh. Her present name, Port Whangarei. has been chosen as a compliment to Whangarei, to which port she will trade with cargo loaded at South Island ports and Wellington. She will maintain a fortnightly cargo service between Dunedin and Whangarei, I via way ports.