UNEMPLOYED STEAMER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21297, 26 September 1932, Page 6

UNEMPLOYED STEAMER

FUTURE OF THE NGAIO

ADVENTURES AS MAPOURIKA UNDER OFFER FOR SALE

Although the future of the ship is uncertain, there is Jittle doubt that the wellknown Nelson ferry steamer Ngaio has made her last voyage in the service from which she was withdrawn two years ago. In the meantime she has been lying idle at Nelson.

Inquiries made at the head office of the Anchor Co. have elicited the. statement that it is unlikely, that the ship will be put into commission again in New Zealand waters. The vessel is at present under offer for sale beyond New Zealand, but no further information was available.

The Ngaio, largely owing to her service for many years- as the Union Company's Mapourika, has been one of the bestknown passenger vessels on the New Zealand coast. She was built in 1898 by Denny's, Dumbarton, under the supervision of Captain Cameron, the then marine superintendent fur the Union Steam Ship Company. She has a gross tonnage of 1203. She was brought out. to New Zealand by Captain Or ay, and made her maiden trip in the Wellington-Nelson-West Coast service, for which she was specially fcuiilt, in August, 1898. Her arrival at Greymouth caused quite a sensation, as she was the largest steamer in the service, which supported two vessels. Unusual Salvage Task

On her fifth voyage to the West Coast the Mapourika nearly became a ■victim of the Grey bar. As she was approaching the end of the .breakwater on October 1, 1893, she was struck by a blind roller, which lifted her stern out of the water, causing her propellers to race and making her respond to the helm. The wave then caught her and bumped her broadside upon the North Tip. Full speed astern was ordered immediately, but she wa3 stuck fast and efforts to refloat her were without avail.

Upon examining the position of the vessel at low tide, it was found that the damage consisted of two holes near the bow. It was decided that it would be impossible to get her off seaward unless she could be canted broadside on to the beach. A fortnight later her position remained unaltered, and it' was decided to build a cradle round her and cut through the breakwater so as. to be able to re launch her on the other side. A railway was constructed, her propeller unshipped, and other preparations made, but it was not until March, 1899, that the unusual salvage undertaking was completed, the cost being about £6OOO.

The ship became - stranded again in July, 1900, this'time at Mable Island, a little distance from the Picton Wharf, but she was soon refloated without sustaining

any serious damage

A "Ghost" Ship

On January 22, 1915, the Mapourika was again in the news owing to the extraordinary appearance she presented on arriving at Wellington from Westport. She came up the harbour looking like a grey cloud, causing some of those watch-, ing her to wonder if a ghost ship had arrived; the vessel had to "feel" her way, to the wharf, as the captain unable to see the forecastle head. The explanation of the phenomenon Jay in a broken steam pipe that could not be repaired until steam had been blown off.

In 1921 the Mapourika was purchased by the Anchor. Company and given her present name, being the flagship of the fleet until the Arahura was bought from the Union Company. When the big earthquake occurred or* the West Coast, in 1529, the Ngaio made several trips to Westport on account of the disruption of the overland communications. On several occasions she relieved the Tamabine in the Picton ferry service while the latter «hip underwent her annual overhaul and survey. In 1903 the Mapourika was chartered by the Government to take a Parliamentary party from Auckland to the Islands. The J party returned-to Auckland after an absence of six weeks.