SS Rotomahana (1876) explained

SS Rotomahana was an 1876 harbour steamer and the first iron vessel to be built in Auckland,[1] though launched only 28 minutes ahead of another, though smaller, iron ship.[2] Rotomahana was a name used by at least two other ships of the era, presumably because Rotomahana and its Pink and White Terraces had become better known after the Duke of Edinburgh visited in 1870.[3]

Until 1888 Rotomahana worked for her builders, Fraser & Tinne, flying their yellow house-flag with a phoenix and taking a bit over 4 hours to ply the 50miles Auckland–Thames route. Theodore Tinne left the partnership in 1882, leaving the firm in the sole ownership of George Fraser.[4] In the later 1880s George faced increasing financial pressures.[5]

Rotomahana was one of the assets he sold. She was bought by M.T. Clayton of Auckland in 1888 and, from 1888 to 1890, was run by New Zealand Insurance Co.[6] They sold her to Captain Worsp on 3 April 1890 for £2,225,[7] but he had sold her to Northern Steamship Co by 12 July 1890.[8] Rotomahana continued serving Thames until June 1898,[9] when she was replaced by the larger and faster Wakatere[10] and she switched to the Coromandel run.[11] Occasionally she served other Hauraki Gulf Northern Steamship routes, such as Port Fitzroy, Okupu and Tryphena on Great Barrier Island.[12]

After overheating, she was re-engined by Fraser & Tinne in 1879.[13] In another major refit in 1891 her boiler was moved forward, its pressure increased, extra compound cylinders added and her masts reduced from 3 to 2.[14]

Apart from regular maintenance and the major rebuilds, the only event out of the ordinary occurred on 28 May 1911, a day when the Auckland-Devonport ferry got lost, and Rotomahana ran aground near Motuihe Island in heavy fog. However, she refloated on the rising tide and suffered no damage.[15]

Rotomahanas last day of service seems to have been 28 October 1914,[16] as she was shortly after given a survey and then laid up.[17] She was later used for oil storage, until being dismantled[18] and then sold to McCallum Bros, who beached her on Pakihi Island in 1924, for use as a wharf.[19] [20] Remains of her hull were still visible in 1999.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: June 2015. Fraser, George. 17 August 2020. teara.govt.nz. en.
  2. Web site: 21 Nov 1876. PORT OF AUCKLAND. DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. 2020-08-31. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  3. Web site: 20 December 1870. RETURN OF THE P.S. 'LUNA,' WITH H.R.H THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AND THE GOVERNOR. AUCKLAND STAR. 23 August 2020. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  4. Web site: 16 August 1882. NEW ZEALAND HERALD. 20 August 2020. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  5. Web site: Hart. Philip. 2016. PETER FERGUSON AND HIS NEW ERA: THE SECOND BATTERY AT WAIORONGOMAI. 83.
  6. Web site: Northern Steam Ship Company of Auckland - Vessel details. 23 August 2020. www.nzmaritimeindex.org.nz.
  7. Web site: 4 April 1890. NEW ZEALAND HERALD. 23 August 2020. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  8. Web site: 12 July 1890. Telegraphic. HAWKE'S BAY HERALD. 23 August 2020. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  9. Web site: 25 June 1898. MAIL NOTICE. AUCKLAND STAR. 23 August 2020. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  10. Web site: 29 April 1929. WAKATERE TO GO. THAMES STAR. 23 August 2020. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  11. Web site: 28 June 1898. MAIL NOTICE. AUCKLAND STAR. 23 August 2020. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  12. Web site: 25 January 1892. CHIEF POST-OFFICE. AUCKLAND STAR. 23 August 2020. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  13. Web site: 16 June 1879. THE S.S. 'ROTOMAHANA. THAMES ADVERTISER. 23 August 2020. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  14. Web site: 8 August 1891. THE NORTHERN S.S. COMPANY'S ROTOMAHANA. NEW ZEALAND HERALD. 23 August 2020. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  15. Web site: 29 May 1911. A HEAVY FOG. AUCKLAND STAR. 23 August 2020. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  16. Web site: 26 October 1914. MAIL NOTICE. AUCKLAND STAR. 23 August 2020. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  17. Web site: 19 November 1914. SHIPPING. EVENING STAR. 23 August 2020. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  18. Web site: 28 February 1924. THE ROTOMAHANA'S END. THAMES STAR. 23 August 2020. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  19. Web site: 19 June 1930. Visitors to McCallum's Island viewing all that remains of the old Rotomahana, a well-known Northern Company vessel, dismantled early in 1924 and sunk at the end of this sandspit NEW ZEALAND HERALD. 22 August 2020. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  20. Web site: 17 June 1924. PIONEER, VESSEL'S END. NEW ZEALAND HERALD. 23 August 2020. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.

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