OLD SHIP'S SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23046, 25 May 1938, Page 16

OLD SHIP'S SERVICE

SMALL STEAMER ARAPAWA REMOVAL OF ENGINES FORMER WELL-KNOWN TRADER After remaining at anchor in the stream for nearly six years, the Northern Steamship Company's 291-ton steamer Arapawa was towed yesterday morning to Central Wharf for the removal of her engines. For nearly a quarter of a' century the Arapawa was a regular trader on the West Coast and, although her service for most of this time was between Onehunga and Wanganui, she was a frequent visitor at most ports from Hokianga and Dargaville in the north to Opunake, Patea and Westport in the south. The Arapawa was built by J. Fullerton and Company at Paisley in 1908 and for several years she was operated by the Coastal Steam Shipping Company, Limited, mainly between Patea and Wellington. In 1914 the steamer was taken over by the Northern Company and from then until May, 1932, she was continuously in service on the West Coast. The Arapawa was then withdrawn from commission and, with the exception of one voyage on the West Coast in 1933, she has been idle ever since.

Rusted and pitted, with paint peeling from her sides and with heavy marine growth below the water-line, the Arapawa yesterday bore many signs of the weathering she has received at anchor. In order to lift tho engines, a 245 horse-power unit built by Renfrew Brothers and Company, portion of tho engine-room casing, was removed at Central Wharf. Tho Auckland Harbour Board's floating crane Mahua will lift the heavy parts of the engines this morning. The engines have been purchased by the New Zealand Dairy Association, but no announcement has been made concerning tho future of tho steamer's hull.