Skip to main content

We’ve got a new website!

Collections

Search our collections for images, objects and ship records. Get started with the search box or browse what you can see.  You can also find out about our collections and how to access them.

AORANGI (1924)

Service dates: 1924-1931

Official number: 148515

Shipping lines: UNION STEAM SHIP COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND

Ship type:


Passenger/Cargo Ship.


Career

17.06.1924
Launched.
16.12.1924
Completed as Aorangi for the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand.
03.01.1925
Sailed on her maiden voyage from Southampton to Vancouver.
06.02.1925
Went on her first voyage to Sydney.
07.1931
Transferred to the Canadian-Australasian Line.
1938
Refitted at Sydney with updated passenger accommodation.
09.1939
Continued in regular service and also served military purposes during World War II.
05.1944
Arrived in the Solent.
06.06.1944
Acted as an accommodation mothership and store ship during the Normandy invasion.
1945
Fitted out as a flagship to the Pacific Squadron of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
07.1945
Served as a Far East accommodation ship at Manus Island, New Guinea.
1946
Based at Hong Kong.
04.1946
Returned to her owners at Hong Kong after reconditioning.
19.04.1948
First post-war sailing from Sydney to various destinations.
1951
Laid up in the 'off-season'.
09.06.1953
Sold to British Iron & Steel Corporation and broken up.


Ship technical details (PDF)