S.S. KENNEDY MAY NOT BE REPAIRED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18656, 9 January 1929, Page 7

S.S. KENNEDY MAY NOT BE REPAIRED.

MOTORS HAVE DESTROYED COASTAL SHIPPING TRADE.

On November 18 the coastal steamer Kennedy ran aground on the beach at Foxton, and for 22£ days she remained high and dry. Many attempts were made to float her, but owing to the position of the ship the work proved very difficult, and it was not until December 11 that she finally cleared the sand bank. After such a mishap it is necessary to have the ship inspected, and for this purpose she was brought to Wellington and placed on the patent slip. It w*as then found that her hull had been severely strained, and that the plates had been badlydented in the vicinity of the fore hold and under the boiler and engine rooms. During the past few weeks, states the

“ Post,” the Kennedy has been left on the slip, and no attempt has yet been made to repair the damage. It is understood that it will take a considerable amount of money to render the old ship seaworthy again, and that no decision has yet been reached on the part of her owners, the Manawatu Shipping Company, whether to scrap her or spend the necessary money.

Built of iron by the Australian Steam Navigation Company of Sydney in 1860, the Kennedy is the oldest steamer in the New Zealand coastal trade, and, with the exception of the Australian steamer- Edina, is the oldest steamship on the British register. She has twin steam engines, constructed by Messrs Fraser and Tinne, of Auckland. For many years she was used as a passenger ship on the West Coast trade by the Anchor Shipping Company, and was then sold to her present owners, who have employed her in the Foxton trade. The great increase in motor traffic during the past few years has had a very serious effect on the Foxton trade, however, and it is likely that the old ship will soon be given her well-earned rest after sixtythree years of continuous service.