VESSELS FOR SCRAP

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18922, 25 January 1936, Page 3

VESSELS FOR SCRAP

FATE OF NGAIO . EARLY MISHAP RECALLED

A steamer which since the beginning ol" the century has been well known on the New Zealand coast, the Ngaio—formerly the Mapourika—will shortly end her career, as have many fine ships of former days, as sera]) iron for Japan. The vessel, which was sold last year bv the Anchor Shipping and Foundry Company to V, K. Jackson and Company, Limited', of Auckland, operating for a Japanese firm, has for some time been lying on a mud flat in the Nelson Harbour. A survey was recently made to determine whether the vessel would go under her own power to Japan, by towing or as scrap, but no decision has Vet been reached.

Built at Dumbarton in 1898 for the Union Steam Ship Company, the Ngaio, then the Mapourika, was. in her day one of the best passenger steamers in the New Zealand coastal service. She bad accommodation for 184 passengers, and the appointments in the social hall, saloon anil smoking room were the equal ot those in auv vessel trading to New Zealand.

On her first trip in New Zealand waters she averaged 13 knots, but. she met with ill-luck early in her career, going ashore at Greymoulh on October 1. 1898. on her 'third voyage. The Mapourika was. attempting to enter the port from Westport, but. encountering a huge blind breaker on the bar. struck heavily on the North Tip Head and was carried up (»n the beach at the north of tilt; harbour, entrance. The passengers were brought ashore safely, but it was at first thought (he vessel would become a lot a I wreck. A fori night, was spent trynig to launch her seawards, during which time she was frequently in danger from heavy seas. It was 'then decided to launch her into the river, and she was finally salvaged after prolonged efforts. As the Mapourika. she was engaged for many years in the West Coast service travelling between Onehunga or Wellington ami New Plymouth, Nelson, Piclon or Westland ports. She was taken over about- 1920 by the. Anchor Shipping and Foundry Company and renamed the Ngaio. She operated' in the trade be-'w-een Wellington and Nelson until she ,vas laid up. She had a gross tonnage >f 1203, and is 220 ft. long. 33ft, in beam uid 1411. in depth.